Can't Stop Switching Classes, Help Please! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Can't Stop Switching Classes, Help Please! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ramzafft1
03-07-06, 10:32 PM Well, here's my dillema:
Since the first time I played DnD, I was ALWAYS the DM. And I mean, ALWAYS. Every session for six years, I DMed. So, I never got a lot of experience playing a PC.
My problem is I finally am a PC now. I have moved to a new area, joined a new group, and have officially given up DMing, as I just no longer have the prep time I once did. The thing is, I can't settle on a class.
Every single time I choose a class, I quickly grow disillusioned with the ability set, and change classes. This is not a minor occurance. I have literally gone through over ten concepts in the last WEEK.
Thus, I need help. A lot of help. How can I figure out which class to stick with?
Archmage_Vall
03-07-06, 10:43 PM A lot of people who start as a player and then switch to DM like to use their old PCs as NPCs in their campaign. Maybe you could do the opposite? Take an NPC you liked and make it into a PC?
allenchan
03-07-06, 11:03 PM This is definately a problem, one I've dealt with before (I have five backup characters at any one given time!)
Try to make up a cool character, a cool concept, first and foremost. Then, and only then, look at the character, and ask yourself "What class would he be?" Basicly, go in the reverse direction you're going right now.
Invierno
03-07-06, 11:29 PM Maybe you could create a new class that incorporates different things you like from some classes without the (or with other) negative aspects that leave you disillusioned?
Ashok_Lal
03-07-06, 11:39 PM So Many Classes So Little Time!
Archmage_Vall
03-07-06, 11:49 PM or you could be a Lawful Neutral Ex-Barbarian/Ex-Bard/Cleric/Druid/Fighter/Monk/Ex-Paladin/Rogue/Sorcerer/Wizard

Not the most powerful build, but it would be interesting to try. :P
Mitchell
03-08-06, 12:36 AM AllenChan's idea is solid. Think of a character you want to play, and then figure out what class they would be. Otherwise, I have these thoughts.
1) Study the available classes. All of them. Look at what they can do when, and just figure out which one "is you".
Most people agree that the fighter isn't the strongest of the classes, but if that's what you want to do, play around with alot of combat tricks, then do it.
2) Multiclassing. If you can't narrow it down to just one, then don't. There are too many combinations to get into, but hopefully it doesn't involve some type of barbarian/ monk. :)
3) Prestige classes. Don't forget them. If there is a particular PrC that you like, select a class( or classes) that will get you in there and go.
4) There's always the bard. They can do everything. :)
Feor
03-08-06, 12:38 AM or you could be a Lawful Neutral Ex-Barbarian/Ex-Bard/Cleric/Druid/Fighter/Monk/Ex-Paladin/Rogue/Sorcerer/Wizard

Not the most powerful build, but it would be interesting to try. :P

Depending on the level ratios your resistances would be awe inspiring. :D
JulesCARV
03-08-06, 02:02 AM Have you looked into the Chameleon Prestige Class (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20041210b&page=1)? With it, it's not just you who are confused about what class or concept to play -- your character is too, so it's a perfect fit!

You have to have at least five levels before it, though, probably rogue or bard, and you have to be human or changeling (or doppelganger, but probably not).
Leap_UK
03-08-06, 02:44 AM Ah, like a kid in a sweet shop :)

It will wear off in time.....probably ;)
babysamurai
03-08-06, 05:59 AM Everyone's forgetting the ultimate class - Expert.
Ralphius_Maximus
03-08-06, 07:37 AM Make a rogue or rogue/bard cross mix. This will let you take the jack-of-all-trades thing to absurd heights. You can do anything you might want to be able to do (except maybe fight). It gives you maximum versatility.
Rheitheillaethor
03-08-06, 08:35 AM This is definately a problem, one I've dealt with before (I have five backup characters at any one given time!)
Try to make up a cool character, a cool concept, first and foremost. Then, and only then, look at the character, and ask yourself "What class would he be?" Basicly, go in the reverse direction you're going right now.

I think that's the best idea. It has worked for me too. My first attempt at a character (which was my first 3.5 character) ended up with 3 (base) classes at level 5. Although the character had flavour, he just wasn't right when I tried playing him. Then I read some Dragonlance novels (which is the world we are playing in) and a character concept came to my mind. As soon as my mixed character died, I made a new one for that concept and I am happy ever since. The new character has 1 base class and I'm enjoying every minute of playing him.
Plus, sticking to a flavourful concept for a character also saves you from any stress on super-duper-optimizing that character. Based on the character's background, you can make choices for him which might not be the best combinations that many people take for granted, but instead give the character color and a more realistic style and also enhance team-play.
Judging Eagle
03-08-06, 11:27 AM Chameleon.

Need high wis/int to be able to cast cleric/wizard spells.

Or, be a single-classer that can out-perform other classes at their own roles?

Archivist is sort of handy and pretty well rounded, good as a bruiser (using a +1 1d10 +[Str mod]+[Caster lvl]+[2x Caster lvl] damage weapon as low as lvl 5 is brutal; that's 1d10 +1+[Str mod]+5+10 = +1 1d10 +15+[str mod] ,

Throw in decent [4] skills/lvl on a pure caster that uses int [wis for bonus spells though] and search as a class skill + the find traps cleric spell makes you capable as a de-trapper (throw on Imp, Invisibility and a Silenced copper coin to just smash completely unaware ppl dead, with a brambled/spiked Shillelagh'd simple club you'll do 17-26 damage at lvl 5 before any combat buffs or even your str mod kicking it).

Plus the fact that several wizard spells show up on other clerics domain spells (or adept spells) makes you no slouch in blasting, utility etc. [to hell with it, just get Anyspell and Greater Anyspell to cast any 1-2nd Arcane spell as a 3rd lvl divine and any 5th or lower lvl spell as a 6th lvl spell].

So, can

Fight better than a fighter (more self-only buffs + tons of generic combat buffs; plus full BaB w/ Div Power) [Con: can't use martial weapons or heavier armour or sheilds beyond a MWK buckler unless you throw in RadServOfPelor]

Cast better than a cleric (more spells since you can cast any divine spell (so.. . cleric, ranger, druid, paladin, shaman etc.) you've learned, same spells/day and your 'domain' spell slot can be any spell, unlike a clerics) [Con: don't have all cleric spells, gotta learn them every lvl or buy them like a wizard, have to buy scrolls for other spells you want to cast; oh can't turn in spells for cures of the same lvl, can't turn undead unless you add in sacred exorcist or something similar]

Cast a lot like a wizard (need to be creative but there are few spells you can't cast or emulate as a divine spell) [con: gotta be creative and do your reasearch]

Sneaks as well as the scouts, if not better, plus is able to buff their sneaking ability (silenced copper coins FTW, darknessed/deeper darknessed coins) and able to help them search for traps. [con, needs spells to do this; make a staff?]
Rivelstraz
03-08-06, 11:41 AM I got *exactly* the same problem.

Since I DM four times as much as the other D&D DM, I got plenty of time to fall in love with new character concepts.
I got a Warlock/Rogue, and after last game, I started to write some stuff from my campaign and I developed a wrestler NPC and oh man, I so wanted to be a wrestler PC. So well, next day I develop an evil guy, a necromancer using the alternative rules from Arcane Unearthed, and again, I wanted to change character. Before that it was a Wu-Jen, a female dwarf barbarian, a female half-orc ranger/barbarian, a warrior/rogue (still one of my favoriute combos), etc.

It never stops!
VirgilCaine
03-08-06, 12:33 PM Bard/Ranger. A little BAB, a little divine magic, a little arcane magic, every skill in the game except for Disable Device and Open Lock and such.
ramzafft1
03-08-06, 05:06 PM Well, that Chameleon definantly sounds intriguing...
lazyox
03-08-06, 05:19 PM it is easy when playing to see that some other character class does something better a wizard doest heal a cleric does not pump ot that massive magic damage niether hit as well as a fighter ,i find myself in your sitition {darn i wish this site had spell check} whenever i try number crunching maximising , and forget it isjust a game , play something you enjoy in you messace you say you love bards play one even though they are the lamest class , :) , are do what i do ask the party what they need sometimes it is a more fun challenge to become something you were not planning on being .if they are always short healing. cleric short offensive magic . battlecaster short melee ,fighter ranged melee, ranger just play and if you do not like the character after a couple sesions do another
King-bargh
03-10-06, 05:54 AM Or ask the others what they have taken, make a "party-complement". Tends to be either the thief or the cleric for some reason....

Since you have DM:d you know what I mean.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ramzafft1 03-07-06, 10:32 PM	Well, here's my dillema: Since the first time I played DnD, I was ALWAYS the DM. And I mean, ALWAYS. Every session for six years, I DMed. So, I never got a lot of experience playing a PC. My problem is I finally am a PC now. I have moved to a new area, joined a new group, and have officially given up DMing, as I just no longer have the prep time I once did. The thing is, I can't settle on a class. Every single time I choose a class, I quickly grow disillusioned with the ability set, and change classes. This is not a minor occurance. I have literally gone through over ten concepts in the last WEEK. Thus, I need help. A lot of help. How can I figure out which class to stick with?
Archmage_Vall 03-07-06, 10:43 PM	A lot of people who start as a player and then switch to DM like to use their old PCs as NPCs in their campaign. Maybe you could do the opposite? Take an NPC you liked and make it into a PC?
allenchan 03-07-06, 11:03 PM	This is definately a problem, one I've dealt with before (I have five backup characters at any one given time!) Try to make up a cool character, a cool concept, first and foremost. Then, and only then, look at the character, and ask yourself "What class would he be?" Basicly, go in the reverse direction you're going right now.
Invierno 03-07-06, 11:29 PM	Maybe you could create a new class that incorporates different things you like from some classes without the (or with other) negative aspects that leave you disillusioned?
Ashok_Lal 03-07-06, 11:39 PM	So Many Classes So Little Time!
Archmage_Vall 03-07-06, 11:49 PM	or you could be a Lawful Neutral Ex-Barbarian/Ex-Bard/Cleric/Druid/Fighter/Monk/Ex-Paladin/Rogue/Sorcerer/Wizard Not the most powerful build, but it would be interesting to try. :P
Mitchell 03-08-06, 12:36 AM	AllenChan's idea is solid. Think of a character you want to play, and then figure out what class they would be. Otherwise, I have these thoughts. 1) Study the available classes. All of them. Look at what they can do when, and just figure out which one "is you". Most people agree that the fighter isn't the strongest of the classes, but if that's what you want to do, play around with alot of combat tricks, then do it. 2) Multiclassing. If you can't narrow it down to just one, then don't. There are too many combinations to get into, but hopefully it doesn't involve some type of barbarian/ monk. :) 3) Prestige classes. Don't forget them. If there is a particular PrC that you like, select a class( or classes) that will get you in there and go. 4) There's always the bard. They can do everything. :)
Feor 03-08-06, 12:38 AM	or you could be a Lawful Neutral Ex-Barbarian/Ex-Bard/Cleric/Druid/Fighter/Monk/Ex-Paladin/Rogue/Sorcerer/Wizard Not the most powerful build, but it would be interesting to try. :P Depending on the level ratios your resistances would be awe inspiring. :D
JulesCARV 03-08-06, 02:02 AM	Have you looked into the Chameleon Prestige Class (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20041210b&page=1)? With it, it's not just you who are confused about what class or concept to play -- your character is too, so it's a perfect fit! You have to have at least five levels before it, though, probably rogue or bard, and you have to be human or changeling (or doppelganger, but probably not).
Leap_UK 03-08-06, 02:44 AM	Ah, like a kid in a sweet shop :) It will wear off in time.....probably ;)
babysamurai 03-08-06, 05:59 AM	Everyone's forgetting the ultimate class - Expert.
Ralphius_Maximus 03-08-06, 07:37 AM	Make a rogue or rogue/bard cross mix. This will let you take the jack-of-all-trades thing to absurd heights. You can do anything you might want to be able to do (except maybe fight). It gives you maximum versatility.
Rheitheillaethor 03-08-06, 08:35 AM	This is definately a problem, one I've dealt with before (I have five backup characters at any one given time!) Try to make up a cool character, a cool concept, first and foremost. Then, and only then, look at the character, and ask yourself "What class would he be?" Basicly, go in the reverse direction you're going right now. I think that's the best idea. It has worked for me too. My first attempt at a character (which was my first 3.5 character) ended up with 3 (base) classes at level 5. Although the character had flavour, he just wasn't right when I tried playing him. Then I read some Dragonlance novels (which is the world we are playing in) and a character concept came to my mind. As soon as my mixed character died, I made a new one for that concept and I am happy ever since. The new character has 1 base class and I'm enjoying every minute of playing him. Plus, sticking to a flavourful concept for a character also saves you from any stress on super-duper-optimizing that character. Based on the character's background, you can make choices for him which might not be the best combinations that many people take for granted, but instead give the character color and a more realistic style and also enhance team-play.
Judging Eagle 03-08-06, 11:27 AM	Chameleon. Need high wis/int to be able to cast cleric/wizard spells. Or, be a single-classer that can out-perform other classes at their own roles? Archivist is sort of handy and pretty well rounded, good as a bruiser (using a +1 1d10 +[Str mod]+[Caster lvl]+[2x Caster lvl] damage weapon as low as lvl 5 is brutal; that's 1d10 +1+[Str mod]+5+10 = +1 1d10 +15+[str mod] , Throw in decent [4] skills/lvl on a pure caster that uses int [wis for bonus spells though] and search as a class skill + the find traps cleric spell makes you capable as a de-trapper (throw on Imp, Invisibility and a Silenced copper coin to just smash completely unaware ppl dead, with a brambled/spiked Shillelagh'd simple club you'll do 17-26 damage at lvl 5 before any combat buffs or even your str mod kicking it). Plus the fact that several wizard spells show up on other clerics domain spells (or adept spells) makes you no slouch in blasting, utility etc. [to hell with it, just get Anyspell and Greater Anyspell to cast any 1-2nd Arcane spell as a 3rd lvl divine and any 5th or lower lvl spell as a 6th lvl spell]. So, can Fight better than a fighter (more self-only buffs + tons of generic combat buffs; plus full BaB w/ Div Power) [Con: can't use martial weapons or heavier armour or sheilds beyond a MWK buckler unless you throw in RadServOfPelor] Cast better than a cleric (more spells since you can cast any divine spell (so.. . cleric, ranger, druid, paladin, shaman etc.) you've learned, same spells/day and your 'domain' spell slot can be any spell, unlike a clerics) [Con: don't have all cleric spells, gotta learn them every lvl or buy them like a wizard, have to buy scrolls for other spells you want to cast; oh can't turn in spells for cures of the same lvl, can't turn undead unless you add in sacred exorcist or something similar] Cast a lot like a wizard (need to be creative but there are few spells you can't cast or emulate as a divine spell) [con: gotta be creative and do your reasearch] Sneaks as well as the scouts, if not better, plus is able to buff their sneaking ability (silenced copper coins FTW, darknessed/deeper darknessed coins) and able to help them search for traps. [con, needs spells to do this; make a staff?]
Rivelstraz 03-08-06, 11:41 AM	I got exactly the same problem. Since I DM four times as much as the other D&D DM, I got plenty of time to fall in love with new character concepts. I got a Warlock/Rogue, and after last game, I started to write some stuff from my campaign and I developed a wrestler NPC and oh man, I so wanted to be a wrestler PC. So well, next day I develop an evil guy, a necromancer using the alternative rules from Arcane Unearthed, and again, I wanted to change character. Before that it was a Wu-Jen, a female dwarf barbarian, a female half-orc ranger/barbarian, a warrior/rogue (still one of my favoriute combos), etc. It never stops!
VirgilCaine 03-08-06, 12:33 PM	Bard/Ranger. A little BAB, a little divine magic, a little arcane magic, every skill in the game except for Disable Device and Open Lock and such.
ramzafft1 03-08-06, 05:06 PM	Well, that Chameleon definantly sounds intriguing...
lazyox 03-08-06, 05:19 PM	it is easy when playing to see that some other character class does something better a wizard doest heal a cleric does not pump ot that massive magic damage niether hit as well as a fighter ,i find myself in your sitition {darn i wish this site had spell check} whenever i try number crunching maximising , and forget it isjust a game , play something you enjoy in you messace you say you love bards play one even though they are the lamest class , :) , are do what i do ask the party what they need sometimes it is a more fun challenge to become something you were not planning on being .if they are always short healing. cleric short offensive magic . battlecaster short melee ,fighter ranged melee, ranger just play and if you do not like the character after a couple sesions do another
King-bargh 03-10-06, 05:54 AM	Or ask the others what they have taken, make a "party-complement". Tends to be either the thief or the cleric for some reason.... Since you have DM:d you know what I mean.