My wife is interested in joining our 4e game, which is awesome, but she's got very little RPG experience (aside from about a year of WoW). And yes, she asked me to make her a character.
She'll be joining a game in progress at about level 9 or 10, and the group currently has every role pretty much covered---so she can play any class.
Which class do you think is the easiest to handle for a new player?
Thanks!
Now as for your wife, your giving me the impression you want to go easy on her. Thats hard to do so here is another question. What kind of DM are you in games and the current game you`re DMing. If your DMing a game with alot of roleplaying and she doesn`t grasp roll playing very well you might go with a class that matches her personality in real life to help. (example is my soon to be mother in law) Now if your games are as they call "break in the door" then you might want to just go with a Fighter.
If you have any more questions do post i would love to help any way i can.
Now as for your wife, your giving me the impression you want to go easy on her.
It' not so much a matter of going easy on her (heck, she's smarter than I am!)as it is 'what class is simplest for a new player to jump into'. The fact that the game is already near Paragon means that she's already going to be facing a plethora of choices---I just want to make the transition as painless as possible.
Thats hard to do so here is another question. What kind of DM are you in games and the current game you`re DMing.
I'm not the DM, but as far as the role-playing is concerned I have no worries on that front (she played some Vampire back in the 90's and really enjoyed the RP aspects). My primary concern is that she not be overwhelmed with mechanics.
For example, I considered modelling her WoW Hunter as a D&D Beastmaster Ranger, but that seems a little complicated for someone completely new to the game.
I do appreciate your reply, and it's given me some things to chew on. Thanks!
For an RPG beginner, it's less the game specifics or tactics that are a problem, it's more the unusual setup of acting in person as someone else, and getting used to others doing the same. She'll have to learn that regardless of class choice.
If I had to pick a class for a beginner, I'd say there are 3 types: the obvious, the complicated and the counterintuitive.
The obvious type are classes that have simple and clear mechanics. Just throw what you have at the enemy and you'll be effective. Beginners might not use them to their full potential, but it's easy enough to have fun.
- Ranger, Fighter (if you handle the marking stuff for her), Paladin, Wizard (AoE blaster), Cleric, Barbarian
- Rogue (depending on how quickly the player understands how to sneak attack)
Complicated classes offer a lot of tactical options that you have to master before the class works.
- Warlord, Druid, Shaman, Shielding Swordmage, Warden
Counterintuitive classes work, but not quite as you would expect. They can be powerful, but the player needs to understand how the powers interact with party dynamics, battle tactics and synergy to make them work effectively. Strictly for experienced players.
- Assault Swordmage, Avenger
The title really says it all.
My wife is interested in joining our 4e game, which is awesome, but she's got very little RPG experience (aside from about a year of WoW). And yes, she asked me to make her a character.
She'll be joining a game in progress at about level 9 or 10, and the group currently has every role pretty much covered---so she can play any class.
Which class do you think is the easiest to handle for a new player?
Thanks!
Ranged Striker is probably the least complicated role - you stand behind your companions, pick out an enemy, and try and make it dead with dice rolls. The Leaders/Controllers and Defenders are the ones who typically have more to think about, and melee strikers need to position themselves in a way to deal effective damage without opening themselves up too badly to attack.
I'd try out a Ranger, Warlock or Sorcerer (PHB II) if you want relative simplicity.
I would strongly advice against bow ranger. They are in my oppinion very boring to play (We had two players here, who changed character because of boredom. Both played ranger.)
Archer ranger is probably the simplest character to run, but might get old quickly. TWF ranger is a decent compromise.
Cleric and Paladin aren't too complicated and give a good mix of options and simplicity.
I would avoid Fighter. Using their stickyness correctly requires tactics that most noobs are not going to be very good at. And a fighter that isn't played properly is not very useful.
Warlord I would completely avoid.
I seem to be in a minority here, but I don't like warlocks for a noob either. Keeping track of curses, concealment, teleportation, etc. just seems confusing to me.
Spend a few minutes explaining flanking and sneak attack and a rogue is pretty straightforward. Plus they are a bit of a skill monkey so they get to be heavily involved in skill challenges and other non-combat stuff too. Definitely helpful to keep the noob engaged for the whole game.
But for sheer simplicity, I think I would just go with a wand wizard. Their class power is really straightforward and their spells are all pretty clearly explained. They give you same benefit of an archer ranger (i.e. staying in the back and only having to worry about your powers and not tactical movement). Plus, there is a certain satisfaction that comes from nuking a dozen minions as a noob while the experienced players slog it out with the elite brute.
It' not so much a matter of going easy on her (heck, she's smarter than I am!)as it is 'what class is simplest for a new player to jump into'. The fact that the game is already near Paragon means that she's already going to be facing a plethora of choices---I just want to make the transition as painless as possible.
Here's what I would do. First, give her a summary of each race and class. When she chooses her class, just ask her to pick a build option and perhaps which weapon or implement or even her skills. Then make the character for her and pick whatever powers and feats you think would be easy for her and would fit her character.
I think that letting her have some decision on her character is good. You can deal with the details yourself later when picking her powers and feats and other stuff. You're going to have to explain the powers and stuff to her anyway, so she's going to have to get familiar with what she can do.
Okay.. so i dont know anything about 4th edition... ehh well i wont say that ill just say i dont know much... but im a 3.5 guru
Fourth edition is quite different than 3.5, so your advice would not apply for 4E.
Bonus: When I got home from work today, she'd already been reading the PHB and (quelle surprise) she said she liked Elves and Eladrin best.
A quick rundown of the classes later and it looks like we're good to go with an Archer Ranger.
Again, my thanks!
I find a lot of new players that have to start at high levels get overwhelmed by the number of choices and end up choosing powers, feats or other things that they just didn't understand. Especially since getting powers that work together can be key to making a good combat character.
As said before, Ranger and Warlock are good paths to take as you just focus on quarry/curse and at will powers while staying away from the baddies.
A little late but you may also want her to start at level 1. Despite the fact that the entire party is levels ahead, she will catch up very quickly (powerleveling at it's best). This way she has less choices to start with... and can get a few games in before having to choose some of the more interesting powers and abilities of the later levels.
I find a lot of new players that have to start at high levels get overwhelmed by the number of choices and end up choosing powers, feats or other things that they just didn't understand. Especially since getting powers that work together can be key to making a good combat character.
As said before, Ranger and Warlock are good paths to take as you just focus on quarry/curse and at will powers while staying away from the baddies.
At 1st level hanging out with 9th or 10th level characters, she'll be unable to hit anything, be easily hit, and have too few hit points to survive more than maybe two of those hits. Not conducive to enjoying the game, methinks.
At 1st level hanging out with 9th or 10th level characters, she'll be unable to hit anything, be easily hit, and have too few hit points to survive more than maybe two of those hits. Not conducive to enjoying the game, methinks.
Yeah, better to play a solo session for her, or a side session with a couple of players, at 2nd level. (2nd level because it introduces the utility power).
I'll second (or third, whatever number we're on) the Archer Ranger.
Me too