Just as an aside, my player has spent the better part of the year we've had since 4E released converting it over to spelljamer and we're having a blast in it. 4E handles SJ extraordinarily well.
I never played elf wizards in the past. But 4e has got me playing an Eladrin Wizard.
Elves combined the features of both fighters & Magic-Users in that system. So I could fight reasonably well, wear armour, weild weapons, cast spells, AND see in the dark!
For AD&D1e - D&D3.5 my answer is bard.
Like the Elf from basic the bard in these editions does a bit of everything. On top of that it's a challenge to play one well (especially back in 1e).
My 2nd favorite class is fighter. Like the bard I enjoy the challenge here. And that challenge is making the mere "fighter" just as an integral part of the story being told as other peoples wizards, clerics, & druids. That & I enjoy playing knights, gladiators, vikings, etc etc etc....
For 4e?
I don't have one.
I'm still looking for a class that I actually enjoy playing in this set of rules. I think the problem is the "powers". See I don't really like this mechanic that's so central to how 4e is built.
While I'm having some fun playing 4e, it's not really because of the rules you all love so much. It's because of the people I'm playing with.
I'm liking the look of the monk, though; it's something I haven't played yet (in 4E or 3.5).
I just love teleporting all over the field and the whole swords-and-sorcery fighting style
very cool
Once 4E came along and I lost weapon finess (melee training in PHB2 corrected this, but that was later on) I have the most fun playing Fighters.
With PHB2 and Arcane Power, Storm Sorceress is awesome.
There are two sorts of people in the world: those who think fighting by singing at people is lame; and those who realise that being able to kill people just by singing at them is actually incredibly badass.
Plus, of course, Charisma and Intelligence are my two highest ability scores... :P
Playing a taclord was a personal challenge at first, an effort to get a better grasp on tactics. Took a good while for things to click but they did eventually. I'm having an absolute blast right now ;).
I'm anxious to roll up a paladin when Divine Power comes out.
I like it because it evokes a Jedi like image (yeah yeah I know). Going in, protecting your allies with your sword, and using a lot of cool effects along the way.
I like the shielding more than Assault or Ensnaring because it's a unique way to be a defender. Not so much keeping enemies on you, but making them realize that if they attack others, they're usually just wasting their time. Especially when you're in Paragon tier where it's 10+Con Mod+5 (From a Feat), that can be negating a huge chunk of what they can do damage wise.
I've always loved building different characters around each individual's interpretation of how best to serve their deity. All different types from militant hardcases to the very relaxed, disarming and charismatic types. The personal nature of faith makes it so there are a virtually limitless nuber of ways to play the characters--but they all share the element of awareness and devotion to something greater.
I've also always loved high survivability types, and the whole "divine retribution" thing. Relentless, driven, wise--all great adjectives for a character.
So... my love for clerics has naturally remained with the coming of 4e, but I have a new favorite. The Avenger brings all of the elements I've always loved about the Cleric, and allows the addition of extreme mobility, more of that fun divine retribution type of stuff, Stealth, Thievery, etc.
I'm playing one right now in a group of 5 with a great DM, and I'm having a blast. Of course, he's human, and had Initiate of the Faith at 1st level. We aren't at Paragon yet, so I haven't decided exactly what I'll do at 11th, but Zealous Assassin and Radiant Servant both are strong possibilities, and I'm already anticipating Ardent Champion from Divine Power.
Ranger, Sorcerer, Swordmage, Artificer, Avenger and Warden.
However, I now have a level 2 Human great weapon Fighter on Halls of Blood and I'm enjoying him a lot. I could actually see myself playing the class in a regular game.
Yeah it isn´t the most powerfull character you can have but I like the tons of options I have with a rogue/wizard class
Second would be a bard/sorc arcane Hyrophant (I think it was called?)
It's very versatile both mechanically and thematically.
It's very powerful, not only can it do a lot of things it can those things well.
It's a great team player, many abilties that help enhance other player's experience.
It's very forgiving, since a bad spell choice only lasts a day.
It's fun to deal with mechanically, and makes for interesting builds/multiclassing.
..and hey, you've got the gods on your side. Who can argue with that?
Melee capable casters are defiantly my favourite classes, especially if they are not necessarily supposed to be designed that way (duskblade and swordmage don't seem to interest me as much as building a warlock for melee combat).
Sneaking into castles and such.
2nd Ed-Hardly played doing other RPG's
3rd Ed-Cleric
4th Ed-So far Warlord, though Barbarian is fun too
Such fun fluff, and I like the choices for pacts.
Loved doing the sneaky thing just behind the backs of NPC's ....and watching how my inventive DM would think up consequential results (either positive or negative) later. Or anything that involved looking cool with skills that was unexpected.
4e: Paladin rocks. I like playing the martyr of the group, so I abuse the powers that let me take damage instead of my allies. My job isn't done if my allies bloody before I'm at 1/4 HP.
Don't have PHB2 yet, but the Invoker seems interesting. Now I've just gotta stop playing Half-Elves...
I'm still a little unsure whether to fight on the frontline or the back casting spells but I like the versatility. I often find that it's nice to be an Eladrin with this combination so that when your healing and hit points run out you can teleport backwards and start casting spells.
Especially dark pact warlocks. I also like wild sorcerers and war wizards. Combined with an eladrin as a race it is awesome.
For 3.5e I liked the duskblade
TheSeventhStooge...
In 4e, I usually play an eladrin wizard.
Back when I was a player, Fighter all the way. There's nothing wrong with anyone that a good evisceration can't handle. I love the direct approach and have been told that I apporach life with all the tact and subtlety of a Viking on crack.
train of thought...
viking on crack...
barbarian junkie...
Rage of Rock Jones
Immediate Interrupt
Trigger: It's been like four hours, man!
Target: Close burst 20, each target who can see YOU.
Attack: Charisma vs Will
Hit: You deal pity damage equal to your Charisma modifier. Roll a d20 for each creature effected. If your roll is 11 or higher, the target pukes a little in their own mouth at the sight of you. If your roll is 10 or below, the target hands you 1cp in the hope that you go away, partly in an attempt to assuage their own feelings of guilt for not actually trying to help you.
Effect: While you are in the Rage of Rock Jones, your Dexterity, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma suffer a -5 penalty. You gain a +2 bonus to Strength checks while trying to break through any barrier between you and money for a fix. You apply a multiplicative modifier of 30 to your speed. You shake a bunch. You cry a lot. You suffer a minus 10 penalty to Bluff, Diplomacy, and Intimidate checks against anyone unsympathetic to the phrase, "I'm hurtin', man! I'm really sick!"
Special: This rage only ends when you spend a healing surge and 20 bucks to rock up.
Sorry to derail. Couldn't let it go.
Fighter and Ranger will always hold special places in my heart, and the Warlord is a fantastic addition to the crew.
I'm a big fan of the entire Primal Power Source. Warden. Shaman. Barbarian. Druid. I can't even pick.
Fighter and Ranger will always hold special places in my heart, and the Warlord is a fantastic addition to the crew.
One of the things that drew me to this thread initially was a curiousity to see if I was alone in being a fan of an entire theme/power source. Good response. I completely understand where you're coming from.
I just want to see what people say their favorite class is and why this your favorite class?
Aw man, I was expecting a poll. But I would have casted my vote for Rogue hands down. If I had to play something else it would be a Bard. Then probably either a Barbarian or a Wizard.
3.5 btw. Never played 4e
I love being able to stand in the back and still be able to deal the most damage to everyone. Pummeling guys without being beaten right back...
Delicious.
I'm a big fan of the entire Primal Power Source. Warden. Shaman. Barbarian. Druid. I can't even pick.
Fighter and Ranger will always hold special places in my heart, and the Warlord is a fantastic addition to the crew.
Same. I love how Druids are at-will wild shape now, rather then as a spell per day. But I must say shaman is my favorite out of all of them. Most primal is the whole physical nature aspect, such as the trees and the ocean. Shaman took it spiritually instead, yet still stays true to the primal source. I also love the spirit companion, and being the support of the group. In fact, I support so heavily that my [previous] DM actually yelled at me for healing too often, etc. This DM in question was a strong believer in the DM vs. Player form of playing D&D and got mad when I prevented everyone from dying.
Currently, however, I am hybridding Shaman/Cleric to get some more options for support. SO far it's working out amazingly well, but I have yet to truly play this character to deem this hybrid as a favorite or not.
The bard.
There are two sorts of people in the world: those who think fighting by singing at people is lame; and those who realise that being able to kill people just by singing at them is actually incredibly badass.
Plus, of course, Charisma and Intelligence are my two highest ability scores... :P
I hate that you already posted this. :P
Bard has been my favorite since playing one in the baldur's gate game for the pc. And then another one. Well, the second one was dual class bard barbarian. :P
Ranger was a close second in 3.5, but as much as I love that a ranger with a bow is fricken killer in 4e, I miss the old animal companions and having spells. I know I can get close to the same thing with multi-classing, but it's just...I don't know, something irrational probably. We'll see when the builder has hybrids, whenever that comes to pass.
A new upcoming favorite that sort of started with DDO, and is bleeding over into pen and paper now that I've read the 4e monk playtest is the monk.
The whole idea is awesome, and I'm sad that I never realized it before.
For all that, Bard. Twice. Always. The combination of subtly boosting overall survivability of the group and the sense of being an irreverant carefree transient with loyalty only to your friends and family, every else be damned. always took perform:sing, because I hated the idea of having to take an instrument out. My bards were always the guy derailing the party from important stuff for a round of drinks or a game of chance, using guile and charm to get favors from townsfolk and officials, getting us out of trouble with the law(damned rogues), etc.
My bards in 3.5 were MVPs even when half the party didn't realize it because they were only looking at direct damage output and healing, I was able to not only make them survive when they shouldn't have with a myriad array of resources, but out of combat I saved their asses more times than the side kick in a bad action movie. Of course now in 4e my half elf bard is basically jesus. which is a nice change. it's cool to not have to use math and a couple hours to explain exactly why the party would die more without your character around. :P
I loved sitting back and grinning when the rogue was talking about all his sweet backstabs thinking, "Yep, you're welcome for fastinating that room before they noticed you sneaking to the back so you could backstab half the room before any of them knew their friends were getting killed."
So much fun.