* * * Wizards Community Thread * * * -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Thread : Best 2nd edition class Started at 04-29-05 11:16 AM by flashlightbrown Visit at http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=421632 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 1] Author : flashlightbrown Date : 04-29-05 11:16 AM Thread Title : Best 2nd edition class Im starting a 1st/2nd edition game next week and Im wondering what everyone thinks is the best class to play. I am human and no kits are allowed. Also my DM is allowing me to use the martial arts rules from Oriental Adventures so I wont be using weapons. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 2] Author : TheDungeonDelver Date : 04-29-05 12:21 PM Im starting a 1st/2nd edition game next week and Im wondering what everyone thinks is the best class to play. I am human and no kits are allowed. Also my DM is allowing me to use the martial arts rules from Oriental Adventures so I wont be using weapons. Monkety-monk-monk. MOOOOOOOONK. Did I mention the Monk? If the DM allows you to play a 1e monk, you will open bottomless cans of whupass all over the bad guys. Or good guys if you're playing an LE monk. Initiative bonuses, surprise bonuses, spell immunities, psionic immunities, the death touch of quivering palm...the monk has all you're looking for my friend. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 3] Author : Thailfi Date : 04-29-05 05:20 PM Please do not play the monk as written in the 1e Players Handbook. It is by far and away the weakest class in D&D. Let's see, he has the hit die type of a magic-user, but not the spells, he attacks on the thief chart, but gets no bonuses to hit (meaning he'll never hit). The monk has a terrible AC until higher levels, but is expected to be a frontline fighter. He requires very high scores, but receives no benefit from them (strength does not add to combat modifiers, dexterity does not help with armor class). His small stable of thieving and psionic abilities do not equal those of other classes until very high levels. The character has to fight to advance in level at a very low level. We use the modified monk class that appeared in the Best of Dragon, Volume III. This bumps the monk up to a d6 for hit points, lets him fight on the cleric chart, speeds up his armor class and attack progression. Pushes the combat to advance up to higher levels. It let's the monk acquire his special abilities at a pace that keeps him competitive with other class. It also lets the monk aquire the ability to hit creatures only hit by magic weapons. We have played this class in our game for 20 years and even though it is more powerful that the Player's Handbook class in every respect, it is still a very balanced class for our game. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 4] Author : Hiryu Date : 04-29-05 08:47 PM Hoo-Hoo of the Hollowed Hoochie of Ju-Ju Zombie Unturningness. Best. Class.Ever. Just go with whatever class you feel comfortable with. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 5] Author : caeruleus Date : 04-29-05 11:38 PM If you want to go with a monk, and you are able, apply the changes to the monk from Best of Dragon Volume III (or, IIRC, Dragon#53) to the monk in Oriental Adventures. That'll kick ass. Or, play a ninja/bushi. Or... you could always start as a fighter with a (long-term) plan to become a bard. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 6] Author : weasel fierce Date : 04-30-05 01:54 AM Cleric or bard. Cleric: Armour, lots of spells, decent combat, good hit points, fast advancement. Bard: Spellcasting in chainmail, weapons, charm, thief skills, only 1 level behind the mage. Very low XP requirements. Fantastic ;) If you use the 1E ranger,he is also a good choice, especially if you use UA and allow double specialization. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 7] Author : Eliza_Stormwhisper Date : 04-30-05 04:46 PM It depends on what you want to do. If you're going for a very powerful class right off the bat, fighter-type (paladins are very poweful if you have the stats for them). If you don't mind sucking at low levels only to own everyone at high levels, be a mage. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 8] Author : ozbirthrightfan Date : 05-01-05 09:05 PM Bard: Spellcasting in chainmail, weapons, charm, thief skills, only 1 level behind the mage. Very low XP requirements. Fantastic Agreed, except for the spell casting in chainmail? As far as I am aware, (2e) bards can't cast spells whilst wearing ANY armour. Perhaps this was allowed in 1e? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 9] Author : rigon Date : 05-01-05 09:46 PM Ranger -nuff said. R- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 10] Author : weasel fierce Date : 05-02-05 03:55 AM I'd have to dig out my 2nd ed players handbook. The 1E bard can only cast in magic chain. Lemme get back to you on that :) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 11] Author : Thailfi Date : 05-09-05 10:42 AM 1e was very broken in regards to multi-class arcane spell casters. The only armor restriction on multi-class characters applied to the thief class. Half-elf fighter/magic-user casting in plate mail? Not a problem. My 1e ranger going through Against the Giants was an absolute butcher. +1 damage per character level against humanoid and giant types is not very balanced. By the time we hit fire giant he was doing +24 damage per attack. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 12] Author : weasel fierce Date : 05-09-05 04:43 PM Balance was never a concern. The ranger needs more xp, has an alignment restriction, receives less hit points and has much higher requirements than the fighter. As for multiclassed magic users, doesnt 3.x let you cast spells in armour ? The reason it was allowed was to give elves something unique of an advantage. Level limits, low hit points and the slow advancement makes up for it, IMO. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 13] Author : Luz_the_ShieldBearer Date : 05-09-05 05:56 PM You can always just play a fighter with weapon specialization in punching, wrestling, and martial arts from the fighters handbook. Makes you a martial artist that can wear any armor, has d10 hit points, and monkish nwp like running and endurance. Throw a quarterstaff or long sword in there and you got a nonmagic-using monk. Just add some descent back story and its good to go. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 14] Author : Wyrmbane Date : 05-09-05 10:11 PM Kensai. Or Fighter with whatever weapon you specialized in, hopefully using the added levels of specialization. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 15] Author : Tenzhi Date : 05-12-05 04:49 AM I always did best as a thief, myself. Or a cleric. Or a cleric/thief if I wanted to advance really slowly. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Downloaded from Wizards Community (http://forums.gleemax.com) at 05-10-08 08:16 AM.