Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 senorpenor42 Apr 20, 2009 10:21:56	My family and I are starting to play dnd, but we are all beginners, I would be the DM but none of us really know anything. My sister is dying to be a half-elf valorous bard but my dad and mom still don't really know what to be. I've asked both of them what classes seem best to them and my dad says ranger, warlock, paladin, and sorcerer, while my mom says warden, ranger, shaman, and wizard What would be optimal for them, both race and class wise as beginners? Don't say anything will work, because I already know that, but am looking for an easy to pick up and brisk (but fun) experience. Thanks
#2 Seeker95 Apr 20, 2009 10:57:22	Don't say anything will work, because I already know that That's like saying "what is the answer to 2+2? Don't say 4 because I already know that". The criteria you have given us really do make "anything will work" the correct answer. All race/class combinations are easy to pick up and a brisk but fun experience. Every race operates in pretty much the same way -- increase two specific stats (humans increase any one). Every class picks almost the exact same number of powers from a fairly uniform-length list. Optimizing is a skill that is not class-dependent, so they will be in the same boat, regardless of their race and class combination. To bring your whole family up to speed on the game itself, give them your Player's Handbook and have them read the pages listed in my sig. Quick and dirty and ready to play.
#3 matthewstryker Apr 20, 2009 10:58:08	There's no race-class combination that is "easiest." If your party/family is playing for the first time, then they might want to play humans just for the simplicity (+1 to defenses, +1 feat at level 1, an extra at-will class power). The way to pick your mom and dad's classes is by party role. Your sister wants to play a bard, which means you will have a leader. That leaves a defender, striker and controller role for your mom and dad to choose from. It sounds like your dad want's to play a ranged striker. Maybe your mom should play the Warden so you have a defender. Have fun!
#4 vinius Apr 20, 2009 13:45:36	Either your dad takes the Paladin or you mom should take the Warden. You'll have a real hard time with things without a true Defender. Once you have that picked, chose a race that adds +2 to one of the abilities that the chosen class needs. The Bard fills the Leader role with a significant nod toward Controller. Depending on how you build the Warden, it leans toward Controller or Striker. So, if you go with the Warden and choose damage heavy spells, you'll want your dad to fill the controller roll. If your Warden focuses more on sliding and hindering type powers, your dad will want to go with a Striker. The Paladin has a significant nod toward Leader. So, if you dad choses a Paladin, your mom will definitely want to look at the Striker role leaving the Bard to handle the secondary Controller. As I said earlier, once you decide on the classes, the best race choices will add +2 to one or both of the primary and secondary ability scores of the classes you've chosen. Hope this helps.
#5 unsocialentity Apr 21, 2009 15:28:32	Pretty much agreeing with the others... One should be a defender, so either paladin or warden. The other should pick a striker or controller, so your dad could pick the ranger or sorcerer, or your mom could pick the ranger or wizard. I would suggest picking striker over controller just to keep combat fast paced for beginners. Controllers usually require more finesse than strikers to be effective, and strikers do more damage and will drop guys quicker anyways. Ranger is nice, simple, and strong. Just to keep it simple I'll list off a race or two for each class that fits fine. When you get used to the system you'll understand what else works. Paladin - Dragonborn Warden - Earthstrength: Goliath Wildblood: Longtooth shifter Ranger - Ranged: Elf, razorclaw shifter Melee: Half-orc Sorcerer - Dragon Magic - Dragonborn Wild Magic - Halfling Wizard - Wand: Eladrin Orb: Deva Don't forget human will fit with any class fine, especially if they want a third at will power from their class and can't decide.
#6 greebo69 Apr 21, 2009 18:19:27	Alternative suggestion - find someone (perhaps thru these forums) to bring in to teach your family, en masse, so that none of you is overwhelmed with learning the game AND DMing at the same time.
#7 ytterbium_dragon Apr 21, 2009 20:33:04	Just make sure you have the roles covered and the people playing those roles understand what they're supposed to do. You should be fine then. Your sister has leader covered. I recommend that one of your mom play a warden and your dad play a ranger since they're a little more direct about their roles than other classes, but really any striker/defender combination will do. Controller is the least necessary in a small party.