Barbarian (Rumored to be a Striker, though Defender is also possible)
Druid (role unknown, may be a Defender/Striker [whatever the barbarian isn't] or Controller depending on how heavy the shapeshifting focus is)
Shaman (Leader)
The fourth is unknown, but is speculated to be either a spellcasting Controller (Witch) or a shapeshifting Defender class split off from the Druid (Warden).
In any case, what sorts of things would you like to see in primal classes?
I predict there will be less emphasis on energy attacks than we might expect when considering the 3e druid. I think such effects will be present, but maybe as more of a secondary thing. Like, lightning panther strike will be more panther, less lightning. Just a speculation.
I hope that the primal power source flavor has room for characters who see nature as spiritual or (for lack of a better word) divine and maybe has some slight nods to historical druids, shamans, witches, etc.
Thus, depending on the Druid's focus, I'd say he'll either be a Defender(if his main combat strategy involves shapeshifting) or Controller (if he's primarily a nature-oriented caster/summoner).
Barbarian is a striker with Defender HP. New rule exceptions to exploit.
I expect Druid to be a Controller, with some defenderish leanings. Just as Warlord is a Leader with Defenderish leanings.
Elemental AOEs, Nature based controls like sudden thorn hedges, Peaking with a Tornado/Hurricane spell as a 29 daily. Something that does like 6d8 to a burst 5, and you can sustain and move it as a standard action.
I expect Shaman to be a Healer, oh sorry, Leader, with some shapechanging abilities. I really expect the Shapechanging to be really limited, and be something to do with Spirit Totems, and be the flavoring class feature (like a warlock pact).
Like, if you take Buffalo as your Totem, you can turn into a buffalo, and you get bonuses on Temporary HP effect. If you take Jaguar as your totem, you can turn into one, and you get bonuses on Damage spells. That sort of thing.
Since they've said they don't feel a compulsion to 'fill the grid' I further predict the 4th class won't be a defender.
I actually expect a Second Striker. Strikers seem to be the most common role.
Barbarian, Rumored no more.
Barbarian is a striker with Defender HP. New rule exceptions to exploit.
I expect Druid to be a Controller, with some defenderish leanings. Just as Warlord is a Leader with Defenderish leanings.
Elemental AOEs, Nature based controls like sudden thorn hedges, Peaking with a Tornado/Hurricane spell as a 29 daily. Something that does like 6d8 to a burst 5, and you can sustain and move it as a standard action.
I expect Shaman to be a Healer, oh sorry, Leader, with some shapechanging abilities. I really expect the Shapechanging to be really limited, and be something to do with Spirit Totems, and be the flavoring class feature (like a warlock pact).
Like, if you take Buffalo as your Totem, you can turn into a buffalo, and you get bonuses on Temporary HP effect. If you take Jaguar as your totem, you can turn into one, and you get bonuses on Damage spells. That sort of thing.
Since they've said they don't feel a compulsion to 'fill the grid' I further predict the 4th class won't be a defender.
I actually expect a Second Striker. Strikers seem to be the most common role.
Interesting thoughts. But isn't shapeshifting supposed to be somebody's piece de resistance in Primalville?
@Omni: I must have left out my small note on the first post. I thought the speculation was very succinctly summarized. ;)
I just hope we get a playtest of the druid here pretty soon as well as a preview about animal companions.
I'm going to posit now that we won't see another full thirty-level playtest from PHB II. We may wind up seeing a Swordmage-style preview when we're closer to release, but I don't think they'll offer up anything quite so extensive as this.
Of course, I wouldn't be angry if they proved me wrong. =D
I'm going to posit now that we won't see another full thirty-level playtest from PHB II. We may wind up seeing a Swordmage-style preview when we're closer to release, but I don't think they'll offer up anything quite so extensive as this.
Agreed.
It doesn't seem likely that we would be getting another play test class sooner then December, and by then I'm not sure if there would really be enough time to get enough feedback to make it a viable playtest.
Druid- Controller
Shaman- Leader
Barbarian- Striker
Warden- Defender
Agreed.
It doesn't seem likely that we would be getting another play test class sooner then December, and by then I'm not sure if there would really be enough time to get enough feedback to make it a viable playtest.
Which means the next playtest article will likely be either for a class build option from one of the Power books, some non class option, or from PHBIII.
But as for the other primal classes. I'm guessing that the Shaman might have the most "normal" as far as powers go. But their class features could be something quite different like "guardian spirits" which give a bunch of bonuses.
I wonder if all Primal Characters have similar mechanic to "Rages." As in, a Druid's Daily Powers might be called "Wildshapes", etc.
That's actually not a bad idea...
Working from that angle, here's some ideas.
Barbarian (striker) - Has it's Rages, that last until end of encounter, grant bonuses.
Druid (Defender) - Some Controller leanings, with aoe effects, but all Druid Dailies are Transformations. In addition to a normal spell effect, like 3d8 fire to a burst 4 within 10, the dailies cause the Druid to shapechange.
Lower level ones grant a bonus like a Shifters Shifting ability. Paragon tier would allow full on monster forms. High end Epic tier would make you into a force of nature. Like that hurricane power I thought up in my first post? Maybe you BECOME a whirlwind for a period of time.
Shaman (Leader) - So, this is a bit WoWish, but, Totems? God I hope not, because that would be SO rip off, and spawn a whole new level of "Zomg 4e is teh MMO dndz."
I still predict Shaman will be a Leader with controller leanings, Dailies having some sort of lasting effect.
Didn't they say Sorcerors would be a primal class?
Yes, if you define "they" as "fans brainstorming in a message board forum." However, if "they" is "Wizards of the Coast RPG Team", then no. It's an Arcane Controller.
Then I see the Shaman as a leader using a variety of spirits to buff and heal, the Druid as a controller (WotC dropped the whole super shape-changer druid for the weather/plant/animal controller) and the Warden who picks up the shape-changing and some beastmastering as a defender.
Bel
Shaman sounds like a Primal Controller to me.
Is there another one?
-Druid = Primal Defender (focused on wild-shaping)
-Shaman = Primal Leader
-Witch = Primal Controller
I was thinking Druid would be a Primal Leader if it keeps the old healing abilities, or Defender if he keeps wildshaping.
Shaman sounds like a Primal Controller to me.
Is there another one?
Shaman is confirmed as a leader.
Shaman is confirmed as a leader.
Where? When? How?
I'm thinking:
-Druid = Primal Defender (focused on wild-shaping)
-Shaman = Primal Leader
-Witch = Primal Controller
Me too.
Where? When? How?
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/4ex/20080421a
5.5 months ago(roughly)
Very early on in 4th Edition design, our work on character roles led us to the idea that any character serving as the party’s “cleric”—whether a bard, shaman, warlord, or whatever—needed to be as good at that job as the cleric or else we’d have yet another edition of D&D in which every party still needed a cleric. That led us to the idea of the Leader role, and the warlord as just one of several possible classes that can fill this role.
Incidently there is more evidence that the Shaman is a leader then there is that he is either primal or in the PHBII(which is probably because there is zilch on both those fronts). Mind you I'm not advocating that either of those are false(and I would be quite suprised if they were), but it is something to keep in perspective.
Hm... then the Druid might end up as a Defender if Wildshapes work like Rages... You have to admit, it's a possibility.
maybe hit with 'claw' 'beak' 'tail' for damage, gain buff remender of combat...
the Druid might end up as a Defender if Wildshapes work like Rages... You have to admit, it's a possibility.
Exactly, as the original druid class designed by David Noonan was heavy into shape-shifting and was also a hybrid, but now they have dropped the hybrid thing, so I could see the druid as shifting into animal forms and defending his buddies.
Or maybe the Druid will be the Controller (weather dude), and the "W" class will be the Warden (a primal defender with pets or something), instead of the Witch (Controller)
But then who would be the shape-shaper if the druid isn't?
Exactly, as the original druid class designed by David Noonan was heavy into shape-shifting and was also a hybrid, but now they have dropped the hybrid thing,
I'd like to point out that there is indication that the druid hybrid was a striker/controller not a defender/controller.
I'd like to point out that there is indication that the druid hybrid was a striker/controller not a defender/controller.
So, as they dropped the hybrid thing and the barbarian is a striker, the druid could easily end up a defender (or not), Mr Self-Appointed King of Future Releases Information/Speculation…*winks*
So, as they dropped the hybrid thing and the barbarian is a striker, the druid could easily end up a defender (or not), Mr Self-Appointed King of Future Releases Information/Speculation…*winks*
How a striker/controller shifts into being a defender in your mind is beyond me. :PAnd I'm not only self-appointed, I'm semi-sanctioned!(since someone had to sticky my thread) :P
And I'm not only self-appointed, I'm semi-sanctioned!(since someone had to sticky my thread) :P
Neither of those were actually confirmed, Mr! ...Wonderfully awful pun, though.
Yeah, but some of us don't want to visit the casting couch…
I had the impression that Druids where going to be built around animal companions more than wildshapes... (the cover of PHB2 for instance) Maybe its a build thing? If there are animal companions, controlelr wouldn't be a stretch (entagle, etc )
As far as we can tell, Shamans are the ones who will be getting animal companions. It isn't definite, but that is the indication.
Wildlord Druid: Focuses on WIS and CON as stats. Specialized in spells involving animals and plants. This might include entangling vine spells that slow or immobilize enemies, animal summons/conjurations, and wild shape. If wildshape works as a daily power akin to the barbarian's rages, it will probably focus on morphing into living creatures. Will be more melee-oriented, possibly being a secondary striker or defender.
Geomancer Druid: Focuses on WIS and CHA as stats. Specialized in spells involving the weather and forces of nature. This might include earthquakes that block parts of the field and tornadoes. If he also gets wildshape spells, these will probably involve elemental transformations. Will be primarily a ranged build (focusing more on pure control than the wildlord).