What's your preferred (classic) RPG class?

TheWizard

I'm saying "preferred" here because we all like to play multiple classes in RPGs, but there's always ONE, when you only have one choice, that you tend to go with. Which is it and why? What are your favorite things about that class?

helpicantfly

Ranger

always a good character in my opinion.
 versatile  quick intelligent high dexterity 
i just find myself drawn to the ranger.  

Skwid

Rogue

I like the rogue but I love bards they're very versatile and skill monkeys normally. Bards also vary depending on the game.

Darggie

Rogue

I like rogues, because they are the chaotic element in a fight. You generally don't know where they are, and they can cause a lot of trouble quickly. 

As well as the fact that rogues generally are better at persuading people or sneaking around a situation instead of having to fight all the time.

Kjelfalconer

Paladin

Its the plate mail. I'm a sucker for the heavy armour, and magic as well? All of my yes.

Finjinimo

Warlock

Warlock because it's the only one on your list which is a little bit different. All the rest turn up in *every* rpg. I tend to choose things that are not cut/paste eh?

So in Pillars of Eternity, I go cipher because different yes?

But if it's all your normal starting monkeys, then some kind of mage first, some kind of badass warrior second.

Kjelfalconer

Paladin

CIphers are love. I just like having spells which I don't have to feel like I have to hoard. I tried a wizard, and I never cast anything, ever. Except that per encounter blast thing.

TheWizard

Good stuff, and I only included the word "classic" in there so we could start the discussion on the typical playing field. We will have the usual tropes and classes, but imagine a base class with tons of specialization options as you go from zero to hero...

drglory

Paladin

My all time favorite class in an RPG has to be Lord of the Rings Online's Warden. Medium armor, Hugh avoidance, and absolutely tons of self healing. Took a lot of skill to play right.

other than that, big tanky in your face anything

TheWizard

nice. And you shall have both options (and many more) in the builds of Paragons. We're working on a system of base class with branching specializations that you can pick and choose from to create many (many) manifestations of your combat style.

So what? No Mages? /grumbles

drglory

Paladin

@TheWizard sorry Wizzy, just never been much of a spell slinger! Played a few through the years. Now I just leave that to my wife and focus on keeping them really mad at me!

Kjelfalconer

Paladin

I do like mages, my main issue with them is that lack of at-will power. I prefer to be consistent than bursty. On the occasions where the mage does have a worthwile ability they can use long term, I become much more likely to play them.

Xeru

Rogue

Speaking of no mages, I'm not a true mage fan Buuuuut

I've always been a Shadow Assassin type.

Fusing Dark Magic with Assassin skillz

It's the perfect harmony of love and death and killing yo enemy.

Finjinimo

Warlock

We're going off old generic stereotypes whizz-fizz.

If hypothetically, the mage tended to be stacked with incredible offense and lousy defense, a devestating wild thing that's hard to control perhaps -- so a massive hitter but incredibly fragile. Whereas the warrior is more of a durable, reliable fighter... then I'd be much more inclined to pick the mage for the hilarity of what happens when I do succeed.

But just as a generic mage trope, not my first choice.

Xeru

Rogue

On the mage side note, perhaps you should enlist me into the realm of the class team, since I have a wealth of knowledge and since you seam to be planning a tiered system, which is my favorite, I can definitely help.

The best way to make people love the mage however is to interfuse them themetacially. Terramorphers are always brutal. Especially Hydrophages.

Regardless, An important thing to consider is whether you're thinking Wiz of doing a true Tiered system or a Tiered system with a Fused system interface elements potentially to get people excited

Like, One of my favorite elements of classes is class interchangeability and remnant interchange. Which Final Fantasy Tactics invented.

Being able to change classes and have residual Stats from leveling as said class (leveling as monk gave you high STR for example) But also the concept of equippable Passive skills to balance out and customize your class made the system my favorite of all time.

The branching your talking about reminds me of Fire Emblem, though I'm not sure if that's what your thinking but, perhaps a system with elements of FFT and FE would be fun. A word of advice as a long term RPGer:

If you're doing a branching class system, make it a creeping willow tree of many interesting paths. My only gripe with FE's system was it was 'option a/b and had no versatility.

~Will be the forums's resident 'let's do maximum customization/versatility/creativity/fun stuff' person~ I will always pitch ideas, always feel free to tone them down as seen fit lol

Emyr

Warrior

Warrior is my preferred starting character in any game as I find it much more straight forward to get into the character and game.

On second character I tend towards Ranger type characters.

Kjelfalconer

Paladin

I'm seeing a lot of rogues. We here at team Paladin are going to have to keep a close watch on the valuables I see.

TheWizard

Xeru said:

If you're doing a branching class system, make it a creeping willow tree of many interesting paths. My only gripe with FE's system was it was 'option a/b and had no versatility.

Agree, agree. Right now, your Character will have a base bunch of Abilities (active) that are based on your Class. Every Warrior, for example, will have a bunch of base Abilities to use. However, each of those Classes will have THREE different specialty trees above that base that you can pick and choose from, going deep on one or grabbing a bit from all three.

On top of that, there are passive Abilities (we're calling them Traits) that you will further specialize into along the way. This will have cascading effects into your build. Our goal is to provide many "right" choices, not the 'option a/b' thing you mention, @xeru. 

And @Kjelfalconer, fear not for your valiant Paladins. They will be Mighty...! 

Xeru

Rogue

TheWizard said:

Xeru said:

If you're doing a branching class system, make it a creeping willow tree of many interesting paths. My only gripe with FE's system was it was 'option a/b and had no versatility.

Agree, agree. Right now, your Character will have a base bunch of Abilities (active) that are based on your Class. Every Warrior, for example, will have a bunch of base Abilities to use. However, each of those Classes will have THREE different specialty trees above that base that you can pick and choose from, going deep on one or grabbing a bit from all three.

On top of that, there are passive Abilities (we're calling them Traits) that you will further specialize into along the way. This will have cascading effects into your build. Our goal is to provide many "right" choices, not the 'option a/b' thing you mention, @xeru. 

And @Kjelfalconer, fear not for your valiant Paladins. They will be Mighty...! 

Very nice. How many tiers do you plan to have for these trees?

And, what type of base class system, can one change to different classes or just within their primary tree?

And if former, will there be potential secret classes that require levels/x amount of skills in other things?

Like, Summoner Requiring levels in Ranger and in Wizard for example

Cross Classes and class networks of deepness make fun gametime shenanigans.

Side note: Does each class influence stats while leveling to allow potential for balancing out you're growth rate weakness? (IE, mages notorious lack of hp and defense by leveling up as a Paladin, Knight's lack of speed by leveling up as rogue, etc etc)

Finjinimo

Warlock

Traits... like fallouts perk system?

So my stinky warlock could maybe have the 'bloody mess' trait? (more likely to have people die around them in 'interesting' ways). Along with the 'smelly' trait and the 'mad glint in eye' trait?

Or the "Does not play well with others" trait -- gains x bonus when not aligned with a house.

"Stubborn" -- will not yield from morale loss.

"Tis just a scratch" -- will not yield from blood loss.


That kinda thing whizz-fizz?

Kjelfalconer

Paladin

@Finjinimo

"incessant" - will not yield from argument loss 

Finjinimo

Warlock

@Kjelfalconer

"a bit of a whizzzzz" -- always yields, often before combat has even begun.

TheWizard

/considers Smiting.

To your question, Finji, yes-- that's the idea. Traits will be passive (though they may have some nice retaliatory effects). At certain levels, you will choose between, say, Stubborn-Courageous-Perceptive and take the benefits or drawbacks of those Traits to both flesh out your Character and play the way you want your hero to play. 

shortschris

Ranger

I usually prefer ranged classes, and love having the ability to tamtame/summon minions for support.

Kingkobbler

Warrior

Where's the Barbarian love??

TheWizard

Kingkobbler said:

Where's the Barbarian love??

Oh, we got some barbarian love for you-- we're just not calling it exactly that!

Kjelfalconer

Paladin

@TheWizard

Berserker? Rager? Savage? Rabies-victim? 

TheWizard

Yes to one of those (and several others for specializations which I'm very excited about). The only thing I can confirm is that-- due to the very temporary nature of a Rabies-victim's life-- that will not be one of them...

Talin

Mage

I would be interested in seeing open character building, or barring that, something akin to Warhammer Fantasy RPG's system where you can grow endlessly provided you take the time to learn all of the pre-requisites. If I want to dabble in wizardry and later healing albeit at an increase in cost, I would love to be able to do so.

TheWizard

So to your point, @Talin, you want to be able to start with a base and specialize any way you want? Like across class? 

Talin

Mage

@TheWizardAbsolutely, that would be perfect!