Is an "all caster" party feasible?

[Thurbane]

A quick question for debate:

Is a party consisting entirely of spellcasters going to be "fully functional" in the typical series of D&D adventures, or are they going to be sorely affected by the loss of warrior types and rogues?

I guess this is a question in two parts - core only, and all expanasions included. In a core only game, casters will only include bard, cleric, druid, wizard and sorceror; in an expanded game, it will obviously encompass such diverse classes as hexblades, duskblades, archivists, favored souls etc.

Debate, discuss - T

 

[Stalker0]

4 clerics = the win.

 

[Vuron]

In SRD only it's somewhat difficult to survive early levels without a tank and a character with trap sense but it's not a hopeless cause.

Using full expansion classes then it becomes relatively easy task, a party of wizard(sorceror or warmage would work as well), cleric, beguiler, duskblade would be a highly effective party and would give the party the potential of 3 spellcasters capable of casting 9th level spells later on in the game which is pretty damned impressive.

 

[Slife]

Druids make better fighters than the fighter.

Skills are going to be a problem, although once you get a wand of knock you'll feel the lack of a rogue less.

 

[Sejs]

4 divine casters?

Yes, certainly. 4 clerics or druids can pretty much cover all the bases.

4 arcane casters? Bit more tricky.

 

[interwyrm]

At low levels, it's a bit tough.

At higher levels, you can do all arcane casters, and just have everyone fireball the enemy on round one. Initiative is key.

 

[Andor]

Absolutely. Especially if you allow classes like the artificer. spell thief, and psiwarrior.

However there will be some play difference. Your tanks (Druids, Duskblades, Binders, Psiwarriors, Clerics (Rangers & Paladins?)) have fewer hit points and/or lower AC and will need more immediate healing support. Also with the prevelance of buffs the party will do much, much better with a few rounds of warmup before combat than they will when surprised. An encounter that's a cakewalk with preparation might be deadly as an ambush.

Also there will probably be a greater tendency to do one or two fights and retreat for the day.

 

[drothgery]

If you count minor casters (paladin, ranger, hexblade, lurk, divine mind) and tweaners (spelltheif, bard, beguiler, duskblade, artificer, psi warrior, ardent) then it's not even difficult for an all-caster party to survive.

Heck, it's not difficult for an all-cleric or all-druid party to survive.

 

[drothgery]

4 arcane casters? Bit more tricky.

Doable, though.
Bard or wizard/sorcerer with Arcane Disciple for healing.
Spellthief or Beguiler for sneaky.
Duskblade or Hexblade for melee.
And wizard, sorcerer, or warmage for the blaster.

 

[Nifft]

Casters Like Totally Win D&D

Druid, Cleric, Wizard, and a Cloistered Cleric.

Cleric's domains are War and Travel, Cloistered Cleric's domains are Good, Magic and Knowledge.

- - - - -

Alternate party (that would also win D&D):
Duskblade, Cleric (War and Travel), Abjurer / Master Specialist / Initiate 7 Veils, Druid

Cheers, -- N