As well as Gnome, Half-Orc, and Goliath.
Check it:
Player's Handbook 2
A D&D Supplement by Rob Heinsoo and Mike Mearls
Player's Handbook 2 expands the range of options available to D&D players with new classes, races, powers, and other material.
This book builds on the array of classes and races presented in the first Player's Handbook, adding both old favorites and new, never-before-seen options to the game.
The book adds a new poer source for 4th Edition D&D: classes using the new primal power source include the barbarian and the druid.Key Selling Points
This book is aimed directly at players, helping them build more exciting and interesting characters.
The new classes in this book include some long-time favorites of D&D players, such as the barbarian, druid, and sorcerer.
The book features several new races, including the gnome, the half-orc, and the goliath.
Hardcover, 224 pages, $34.95
March 17, 2009
This info is gleaned from here.
So anyone think the Sorcerer is going to be Primal Sourced? Or do you think Arcane Source is a lock?
Edit: From the same thread, check this:
Arcane Power
A D&D Supplement by Logan Bonner, Eytan Bernstein, and Peter Lee
Arcane Power isthe latest in a line of player-friendly supplements offering hundreds of new options for D&D Characters. This tome focuses on the arcane heroes: characters who wield strange and mysterious spells and rely on thier mastery of magic for survival.
This book provides new archetypal builds for the wizard, warlock, sorcerer, bard, and swordmage classes, including new character powers, feats, paragon paths, and epic destinies.
Hardcover, 160 pages, $29.95
April 21, 2009
So that means the Bard is in the PHB II as well, right?
Final Edit (I promise!): Since Sorcerer is listed as being in Arcane Power, I guess my theory of him being Primal Sourced is pretty discredited ...
Thanks for the info!
Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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So that means the Bard is in the PHB II as well, right?
Final Edit (I promise!): Since Sorcerer is listed as being in Arcane Power, I guess my theory of him being Primal Sourced is pretty discredited ...
If I can still hang on to my belief that the ranger will be a Primal Power source class even after the publication of the PHB, you can retain your Primal Sorcerer theory for at least a little while longer. ;-)
The PHB II sounds pretty cool. Isn't the swordmage also be included in the FR campaign setting? I'm probably in the minority here, but I almost prefer that they publish the class in Arcane Power and/or the PHBII. Partly it's because I don't plan on buying the FR campaign setting, but it's also that I really hate referencing 214 books during prep, and if they have base classes all over the place, that will inevitably happen...
If I can still hang on to my belief that the ranger will be a Primal Power source class even after the publication of the PHB, you can retain your Primal Sorcerer theory for at least a little while longer. ;-)The PHB II sounds pretty cool. Isn't the swordmage also be included in the FR campaign setting? I'm probably in the minority here, but I almost prefer that they publish the class in Arcane Power and/or the PHBII. Partly it's because I don't plan on buying the FR campaign setting, but it's also that I really hate referencing 214 books during prep, and if they have base classes all over the place, that will inevitably happen...
Yes! My theory lives on! :)
Swordmage is being released in the FR Player's Guide (or whatever the specific name is) released later this year, and I'm pretty sure it isn't being re-printed in either the PHB II or Arcane Power (although I guess they might release it on the DDI, perhaps as a really, REALLY awesome excerpt or something?)
They've stated in the past that the main goal is to mostly introduce base classes in the various PHBs that will be coming out over 4E's lifespan. Of the two announced campaign settings, each one also comes with its own base class (FR gets the Swordmage, Eberron gets the Artificer).
I can live with each campaign setting getting a single base class, with the rest all in the PHBs. Hopefully they can keep it down to that, cause I'd hate to be all over the place too.
Cheers! :)
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D&D 5E
Player's Handbook: Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Dragonborn; Cleric, Fighter, Rogue
Player's Handbook II: Tieflings, Half-Elves, Halflings; Ranger, Warlord, Warlock, Wizard
Player's Handbook III: Gnome, Half-Orc, Goliath; Barbarian, Druid, Sorcerer
Wizards of the Coast, splitting up books into more books since 1997!
This message was brought to you by a user that doesn't mind the system, but hates having to buy two Player's Handbooks
Primal Sorcerer Goodness
Cheers! :)
I still think the sorcerer will be Elemental based off Races and Classes (the Elemental Wild Mage thing). I do not know if Elemental and Primal are the same thing.
And now its time for another installment of Azi's Crazy D&D Theory Theater!
What if....... the Sorcerer is both Arcane and Primal? As in He is Arcane with a side of primal. For further metaphors, one could liken his arcane talents to being his meat, and the primal (elemental?) as being his potatos.
mmmm.......potatos.
We now return you to your normal state of sanity.. what is left of it.
PS. You spoony bards!
Don't get me thinking of food when I'm skipping lunch today.
Anyway, Elemental was called out as a Source separate from Primal (although damned if I know how that'll actually work) in the PHB, I think, so it can be pretty safely slotted as a different Source, with its own slew of classes.
Is it too early to start a guess the PHB III thread? :P
Don't get me thinking of food when I'm skipping lunch today.
Anyway, Elemental was called out as a Source separate from Primal (although damned if I know how that'll actually work) in the PHB, I think, so it can be pretty safely slotted as a different Source, with its own slew of classes.
Is it too early to start a guess the PHB III thread? :P
if it's one thing I have learned from Fox News it is never to early to speculate.
And dont worry I'm irish/scottish. I have this genetic love affair for potatos going on.
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D&D 5E
Player's Handbook: Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Dragonborn; Cleric, Fighter, Rogue
Player's Handbook II: Tieflings, Half-Elves, Halflings; Ranger, Warlord, Warlock, Wizard
Player's Handbook III: Gnome, Half-Orc, Goliath; Barbarian, Druid, Sorcerer
Wizards of the Coast, splitting up books into more books since 1997!
This message was brought to you by a user that doesn't mind the system, but hates having to buy two Player's Handbooks
Races and classes are like plaque buildup - you can only take so much before you are forced to floss.
D&D has always suffered from bloat. The bigger the bloat the more need their will be to split the core into many many books.
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D&D 5E
Player's Handbook: Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Dragonborn; Cleric, Fighter, Rogue
Player's Handbook II: Tieflings, Half-Elves, Halflings; Ranger, Warlord, Warlock, Wizard
Player's Handbook III: Gnome, Half-Orc, Goliath; Barbarian, Druid, Sorcerer
Wizards of the Coast, splitting up books into more books since 1997!
This message was brought to you by a user that doesn't mind the system, but hates having to buy two Player's Handbooks
Races and classes are like plaque buildup - you can only take so much before you are forced to floss.
D&D has always suffered from bloat. The bigger the bloat the more need their will be to split the core into many many books.
My main amusement was that 4E is reputed to be much more simple than 3.5 (mechanically it is, don't get me wrong), yet the same amount of 'stuff' (races/classes/etc.) has to be split into two books.
I wish they had found a better way of squishing the Powers down. Those sections just take up so much freaking room.
D&D 5E
Player's Handbook: Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Dragonborn; Cleric, Fighter, Rogue
Player's Handbook II: Tieflings, Half-Elves, Halflings; Ranger, Warlord, Warlock, Wizard
Player's Handbook III: Gnome, Half-Orc, Goliath; Barbarian, Druid, Sorcerer
Wizards of the Coast, splitting up books into more books since 1997!
This message was brought to you by a user that doesn't mind the system, but hates having to buy two Player's Handbooks
Races and classes are like plaque buildup - you can only take so much before you are forced to floss.
D&D has always suffered from bloat. The bigger the bloat the more need their will be to split the core into many many books.
My main amusement was that 4E is reputed to be much more simple than 3.5 (mechanically it is, don't get me wrong), yet the same amount of 'stuff' (races/classes/etc.) has to be split into two books.
I wish they had found a better way of squishing the Powers down. Those sections just take up so much freaking room.
Pardon?
There are eight races in the 4th Edition Player's Handbook, as compared to seven in the D&D 3.5 PHB. How, exactly, are they splitting up the races if there are MORE of them in the new edition's PHB than the old? And yes, there are a few more classes in the 3.5 PHB, but every one of the seven classes in 4th Edition is worthwhile out of the gate, as opposed to 3.5 which contained the subpar Bard, Fighter, Monk and Paladin classes - none of which could stand up to the usefulness of the more robust casting and damage-dealing classes without resorting to large amounts of splatbook material (and sometimes not even then). And it's not like they didn't release more classes in splatbooks in 3.5. The Player's Handbook II had a handful of new classes, not to mention most of the Complete books, the Tomes, thematic books, etc.
yay! new edition, same old business model! can't wait for the pdfs of PHB II to end up on torrentz.com!
Haha, I'm waiting for the Pathfinder Campaign Setting to end up there as well, so I can look at all the cool Wayne Reynolds artwork.
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Pardon?There are eight races in the 4th Edition Player's Handbook, as compared to seven in the D&D 3.5 PHB. How, exactly, are they splitting up the races if there are MORE of them in the new edition's PHB than the old? And yes, there are a few more classes in the 3.5 PHB, but every one of the seven classes in 4th Edition is worthwhile out of the gate, as opposed to 3.5 which contained the subpar Bard, Fighter, Monk and Paladin classes - none of which could stand up to the usefulness of the more robust casting and damage-dealing classes without resorting to large amounts of splatbook material (and sometimes not even then). And it's not like they didn't release more classes in splatbooks in 3.5. The Player's Handbook II had a handful of new classes, not to mention most of the Complete books, the Tomes, thematic books, etc.
My comment was mostly on the class split-ups, and the PHB2 coming so soon after the PHB. Because the PHB2 also includes originally core classes from the PHB, it makes it feel as if you need both to be 'whole'.
Though yes, I suppose there is one more race in 4E, though I have a hard time accepting the Eladrin and Elf as seperate races. The whole split seemed a bit like a cop-out, a 'we can't think of another one to put in let's just do sub-races'.
Well, well. Based on both older news and this news:
3 sources in PHB II: Arcane, Divine, Primal
Classes:
(BBDISSTW as the first letters)
Barbarian (Primal)
Bard (Arcane)
Druid (Primal)
I
S
Sorcerer (Arcane)
T
W
Races:
(DGGHS as first letters, OEH as second letters, R as a final letter)
D
Gnome
Goliath
Half-Orc
S
Now, my speculative guesses for the empty slots:
Inquisitor (Divine), Shaman (Primal), Templar (Divine), Witch (Primal)
Drow, SHifteR.
EDIT: Wait, neither of those races I proposed are E-second. We need a DE and an SH, or a DH and a SE. Hrrrm.
I'm just happy to see that WotC will adapt to what the market wants (sorceror and half-orc come to mind) -- recently they've been making way too many saves vs customer satisfaction.
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Well, well. Based on both older news and this news:
3 sources in PHB II: Arcane, Divine, Primal
Classes:
(BBDISSTW as the first letters)Barbarian (Primal)
Bard (Arcane)
Druid (Primal)
I
S
Sorcerer (Arcane)
T
WNow, my speculative guesses for the empty slots:
Inquisitor (Divine), Shaman (Primal), Templar (Divine), Witch (Primal)
Drow, SHifteR.
What about the Swordmage mentioned in the OP?
What about the Swordmage mentioned in the OP?
Swordmage is confirmed as being in the FR setting book, and it's been confirmed that it will not be reprinted in the PHB II.
Well, well. Based on both older news and this news:
3 sources in PHB II: Arcane, Divine, Primal
Classes:
(BBDISSTW as the first letters)Barbarian (Primal)
Bard (Arcane)
Druid (Primal)
I
S
Sorcerer (Arcane)
T
WRaces:
(DGGHS as first letters, OEH as second letters, R as a final letter)D
Gnome
Goliath
Half-Orc
SNow, my speculative guesses for the empty slots:
Inquisitor (Divine), Shaman (Primal), Templar (Divine), Witch (Primal)
Drow, SHifteR.EDIT: Wait, neither of those races I proposed are E-second. We need a DE and an SH, or a DH and a SE. Hrrrm.
Also don't forget that Drow will be in the FR book along with Swordmages, so we probably won't see a repeat here. Maybe Derro? A completely new race? Shifter is a good guess for Sh, though, with it being all Primal-y.
Good guess on Witch. Nice fit with the Primal scheme and the letters provided. I'll go your speculation one better, though, and throw out some roles!
Barbarian - Primal Defender
Bard - Arcane Leader
Druid - Primal Striker
Inquisitor - Divine Striker
Shaman - Primal Leader
Sorcerer - Arcane Controller
Templar - Divine Controller
Witch - Primal ControllerAssuming this is right, after this is published we'll have:
Defenders -
Fighter (Martial)
Paladin (Divine)
Swordmage (Arcane)
Barbarian (Primal)Strikers -
Rogue (Martial)
Ranger (Martial)
Inquisitor (Divine)
Warlock (Arcane)
Druid (Primal)Leaders -
Warlord (Martial)
Cleric (Divine)
Bard (Arcane)
Shaman (Primal)Controllers -
Templar (Divine)
Wizard (Arcane)
Sorcerer (Arcane)
Witch (Primal)
Pretty hefty list there.
Cheers! :)
BTW I doubt the Sorceror will be an Arcane Controller -- the spot's already been taken. I think (and hope) that they'll put a different twist on it.
BTW I doubt the Sorceror will be an Arcane Controller -- the spot's already been taken. I think (and hope) that they'll put a different twist on it.
Actually... if they changed things up a bit and went with the more classical fanatasy idea of the Sorceroress as an enchanter/summoner, we just might see another Arcane controler. One based upon effecting people, controling them, and summoning various monsters to do the caster's bidding.
I had always assumed that they were going to make the Sorceror a Primal Controler, based upon the idea that they control their magic through their heriditary power. Different blood lines, much like the warlock's pacts, would give you several flavors of Sorceror that mechanically functioned much like the wizard does.
But if they went with an enchantress style Sorceror, one not based upon bloodlines, arcane would indeed make more sense.
BTW I doubt the Sorceror will be an Arcane Controller -- the spot's already been taken. I think (and hope) that they'll put a different twist on it.
They had two martial strikers in the first run, so having two classes with the same source and role isnt anything new. I'm guessing its going to be a controller as well, but with a twist.
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Races and classes are like plaque buildup - you can only take so much before you are forced to floss.D&D has always suffered from bloat. The bigger the bloat the more need their will be to split the core into many many books.
Quoted For Truth.
Best believe that WotC approached 4e first with "How can we maximize profits?" not "What do the players really need?"
The rest is history...
*DoppleGangster puts on his Medallion of Proof against Insults and Opposite Opinions*
Most corporations realize that those two are one and the same. Frankly maximizing profits is what every company strives to do when the company is public the pressure is even greater.
Nobody has thought that "I" may stand for "Illusionist", as the recent Dragon article offers Heroic tier info for the Illusionist specialist? They seem to be trying to pull out some specialist magicians, and, with their whole "return to the classics", they might as well go for the veteran Illusionist.
Nobody has thought that "I" may stand for "Illusionist", as the recent Dragon article offers Heroic tier info for the Illusionist specialist? They seem to be trying to pull out some specialist magicians, and, with their whole "return to the classics", they might as well go for the veteran Illusionist.
Possibly, Skye, possibly. My thoughts are that we WILL see an Illusionist base class in 4E eventually, but not under the Arcane Source. Just like the Necromancer is (I assume) going to return under the new Shadow Source, I think he'll have a friend in the Illusionist there. But I'm really shooting into the far future on this one ... Shadow might not even make PHB III!
Cheers! :)
Money talks again.
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What about the Swordmage mentioned in the OP?Swordmage is confirmed as being in the FR setting book, and it's been confirmed that it will not be reprinted in the PHB II.
I had a chance to play one several times over at Anime Expo. It's a defender but with magical abilities to affect opponents at close range (usually close 1 to 2).
Nobody has thought that "I" may stand for "Illusionist", as the recent Dragon article offers Heroic tier info for the Illusionist specialist? They seem to be trying to pull out some specialist magicians, and, with their whole "return to the classics", they might as well go for the veteran Illusionist.
If Illusionist were showing up in Arcane Power, I'd predict I to be illusionist. I did so in the past, when we only had the letters. However, since it isn't mentioned for Arcane Power, and since I can't see a divine or primal illusionist as a reasonable possibility, I'm personally discounting it. (Obviously, my speculation could be entirely wrong.)
And I'm stuck on the D race now. DE....? Maybe a demon-tainted race (now that tieflings are specifically linked to devils)? Maybe a specifically primal-theme race?
Nobody has thought that "I" may stand for "Illusionist", as the recent Dragon article offers Heroic tier info for the Illusionist specialist? They seem to be trying to pull out some specialist magicians, and, with their whole "return to the classics", they might as well go for the veteran Illusionist.If Illusionist were showing up in Arcane Power, I'd predict I to be illusionist. I did so in the past, when we only had the letters. However, since it isn't mentioned for Arcane Power, and since I can't see a divine or primal illusionist as a reasonable possibility, I'm personally discounting it. (Obviously, my speculation could be entirely wrong.)
And I'm stuck on the D race now. DE....? Maybe a demon-tainted race (now that tieflings are specifically linked to devils)? Maybe a specifically primal-theme race?
I still like the Incantrix from FR as a core class. They were Abjuration Specialists .
I still like the Incantrix from FR as a core class. They were Abjuration Specialists .Nobody has thought that "I" may stand for "Illusionist", as the recent Dragon article offers Heroic tier info for the Illusionist specialist? They seem to be trying to pull out some specialist magicians, and, with their whole "return to the classics", they might as well go for the veteran Illusionist.If Illusionist were showing up in Arcane Power, I'd predict I to be illusionist. I did so in the past, when we only had the letters. However, since it isn't mentioned for Arcane Power, and since I can't see a divine or primal illusionist as a reasonable possibility, I'm personally discounting it. (Obviously, my speculation could be entirely wrong.)
And I'm stuck on the D race now. DE....? Maybe a demon-tainted race (now that tieflings are specifically linked to devils)? Maybe a specifically primal-theme race?
DE = desmodus? the bat-people things maybe?
Oooh, yeah, I like that theory. A desmodu certainly looks primal, doesn't it?
Oooh, yeah, I like that theory. A desmodu certainly looks primal, doesn't it?
We may be falling into a trap in only racial converts in the PHB II. They're certainly adding new classes, so maybe new races too?
Oooh, yeah, I like that theory. A desmodu certainly looks primal, doesn't it?We may be falling into a trap in only racial converts in the PHB II. They're certainly adding new classes, so maybe new races too?
Is their of a list of all the old monsters/races from previous editions ? We could run a search through that to see what we turn up.
Is their of a list of all the old monsters/races from previous editions ? We could run a search through that to see what we turn up.Oooh, yeah, I like that theory. A desmodu certainly looks primal, doesn't it?We may be falling into a trap in only racial converts in the PHB II. They're certainly adding new classes, so maybe new races too?
I'm sure someone coul dmake a list if it doesn't exist. Desmodus isn't a terrible guess, they do seem somewhat Primal (although the 3E version also had like 9HD and a bunch of other stuff)
Derro fit too, but Derro are usually evil, and Psionic, right? If they get released I'd expect it to be with the Psionic classes so ...
Is their of a list of all the old monsters/races from previous editions ? We could run a search through that to see what we turn up.Oooh, yeah, I like that theory. A desmodu certainly looks primal, doesn't it?We may be falling into a trap in only racial converts in the PHB II. They're certainly adding new classes, so maybe new races too?I'm sure someone coul dmake a list if it doesn't exist. Desmodus isn't a terrible guess, they do seem somewhat Primal (although the 3E version also had like 9HD and a bunch of other stuff)
Derro fit too, but Derro are usually evil, and Psionic, right? If they get released I'd expect it to be with the Psionic classes so ...
Wikipedia has a suprisingly robust [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Dungeons_&_Dragons_monsters#Advanced_Dungeons_.26_Dragons_1st_edition_.281977-1988.29]list
[url]I was surprised at least. From their Derro and Desmodu are the only two DE races that are not Death, Devil, Demon, Deva, or Undead from the history of D&D (ie All Editions).
I think you are in the right boat. Not that I want to be owned for speculation (Can only think of Bugleyman) but I think you are right about it being a new race. A deeper search might reveal something from a fan creation ( such as one of the final three from the caimpaign setting search ) or other splat books. What were the most popular sub races from the races books?
We may be falling into a trap in only racial converts in the PHB II. They're certainly adding new classes, so maybe new races too?
It's no so much a trap as a structural limitation. If they're adding a new race, there's no chance of predicting its name, and none of predicting its characteristics. If they're converting an old one, there's a pretty reasonable chance of predicting it.
I mean, sure, the new race might be a Deerkin, a tauric mix of an antelope and a two-headed forest gnome. But that's not the sort of thing you can predict. It could be a Descrachar, a sort of bear-like creature with fur-covered, clawed tentacles instead of arms and legs. Or maybe it's a Dentalaon, a sort of saber-toothed halfling that leaps to sink its fangs in the target. There's just no possible telling what they might spring on us, if they aren't sticking to existing material.
--
Going back to inspired-by-existing-material, I'd suggest the deva as a possibility. Since they aren't given as angels in 4e, an eladrin-type development could have them as the 4e aasimar.
I'm totally calling the Dentalaon! :P
(Deva could be a Tiefling analogue, ala earlier editions Aasmiar, which is a name that I'm more open to changing than most!)
Cheers! :)
Looking over David's nice post of what types of classes have which powers I notices that every type of class has at least one type of power... except there is no Martial Controller.
It got me wondering what Character class a martial controller would be.
I was thinking it could be a Psion
<<I cringe in fear for a moment from all the hurled threats of the anti-psionic establishment>>
No, no... really. Not like 3rd edition's over or underpowered idiot cousin of the wizard psionics... and only a bit like 2nd editions.
A 4th edition martial controller as a psion would mainly have powers that would enchance his body, eventually getting some stronger, less frequently usable powers to effect his environment, and finally his upper level powers actually able to effect his opponents. Pretty much like other martial powers already in the game but with more of a controller outlook.
Thanks for the compliment! That post took a while to write out, but helped me organize my thoughts. Glad someone else found it useful. :)
On to your idea, two points.
1) The designers have warned us not to expect every Source to have a class supporting every Role. A Martial Controller was explicitly called out in reference to this, so I'm somewhat doubtful we'll ever see a Martial Controller ... certainly it doesn't seem like we'll see one soon (I guess they could just be fooling us so they can do a big reveal later but ... I doubt it)
2) The PHB has a short list of the planned Sources for 4E. The first three are obvious, Martial, Divine, Arcane. Also included, though, are Primal (in PHB II!), Psionic, Shadow, Ki, and Elemental.
So really, any Psionic class is likey to show up under the Psionic Source. We had a pretty good speculation thread going right before/after release trying to guess some of the classes we'll see in the other Sources. I still have trouble wrapping my head around Elemental (I keep wanting to slot nature-y abilities in there, but those more rightly belong to Primal ...)
Anyhoo, thanks for the comments! Along the lines of dreaming up a Martial Controller, I've seen references to a Monk doing lots of sweeps and throws, a alchemist type throwing Alchemist's Fire and the like, and a spiked-chain/reach weapon user locking down big areas. I don't know if we'll see anything like that from Wizards, but that can't stop us from making our own if we'd like.
Cheers! :)
An idea that I have kicked around with some of the guys I play with is that the Necro and Illusionist may show up in the Shadow power source, while the Conjurer may be elemental. Just thought I would throw that out there.
An idea that I have kicked around with some of the guys I play with is that the Necro and Illusionist may show up in the Shadow power source, while the Conjurer may be elemental. Just thought I would throw that out there.
Aye, good thoughts! I've seen Hexblade and Shadowdancer thrown up as possible Shadow choices as well.
To be honest, I'm very curious about what the PHB III will hold. It seems like our slate of Martial/Divine/Arcane classes will be completed with the PHB I and II, and I'm thinking Primal will be setup after II as well. If so, that means III is going to have three completely new Sources (if the trend of three Sources per PHB holds) which is quite intriguing.
Cheers! :)
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They realy know how to such the money out of you...WHat they should have done was set the PHB up with Core Classes that are used to build Metaclasses.
Mystaran Elf: Wizard/Fighter
Isle of Dread Zombie Master: Wizard(Necromancer)/Cleric(Death)
Dwarven Cleric: Fighter/Cleric
Savage Coast Elf Crusader: CLeric/Fighter
Executioner: Fighter/Thief (Shadowblade)
Erm. OK.
Aye, good thoughts! I've seen Hexblade and Shadowdancer thrown up as possible Shadow choices as well.
To be honest, I'm very curious about what the PHB III will hold. It seems like our slate of Martial/Divine/Arcane classes will be completed with the PHB I and II, and I'm thinking Primal will be setup after II as well. If so, that means III is going to have three completely new Sources (if the trend of three Sources per PHB holds) which is quite intriguing.
Cheers! :)
I cannot believe I forgot about the Hexblade and Shadowdancer, two of my favorite guys. I am right with you thinking they will be Shadow.
Only real question for the dual shadow roles of the Illusionist and the Necromancer, which role would they take. I would think the Illusionist would just about have to be a controller, but I could see the Necromancer, being argued for just about every role.
Defender-->Using a large single brute of an undead, maybe even sharing some damage with it (in exchange for the lack of heavy armor)
Striker-->just standard debuff/damage attacks much like the warlock
Leader-->debuffing enemies and making them easier to kill, hence taking less damage, with the odd summon thrown in, and the manipulating of shadow magic to give temporary hps more than regular hps
Controller-->undead minions all over the field doing, and debuffing targets
I cannot believe I forgot about the Hexblade and Shadowdancer, two of my favorite guys. I am right with you thinking they will be Shadow.
Only real question for the dual shadow roles of the Illusionist and the Necromancer, which role would they take. I would think the Illusionist would just about have to be a controller, but I could see the Necromancer, being argued for just about every role.
Defender-->Using a large single brute of an undead, maybe even sharing some damage with it (in exchange for the lack of heavy armor)
Striker-->just standard debuff/damage attacks much like the warlock
Leader-->debuffing enemies and making them easier to kill, hence taking less damage, with the odd summon thrown in, and the manipulating of shadow magic to give temporary hps more than regular hps
Controller-->undead minions all over the field doing, and debuffing targets
I'm thinking Leader, although I agree, pretty much any role could be squeezed in. Consider, however, that all of the CXW spells in 2E (and older, I presume) were Necromancy, not Conjuration(Healing)! Healing being the domain of Conjuration (buh?) was a 3E-ism ... before it was part of Necromancy, the school focused on Life and Death (that Life part seems to get forgotten a lot)
Another possibility is an approach like the Druid in the upcoming PHB II. Devs have said he will have a "hybrid" role, whatever that means, and it is possible the Necromancer won't fit into one of the slots either.
Cheers! :)
Edit: Love the idea about Necros bestowing more Temp HP than real HP. Nice idea on distinguishing them from the others. :)