Guess I'll finally weigh in:
Esper is number 1. Not just a psionic caster class, but a psionic caster class which has some mechanical distinctions from traditional spellcasters.
Marshal is number 2. Also known as the Warlord, it's a great design structure to break the rule that "Only magic can heal wounds" which has always been bothersome.
Wielder is number 3. It's a -fantastic- class in the Manual of Adventurous Resources Complete. It's sort of a Martial-Warlock centered around having a powerful magic item that is a core character trait. Very common in media, oft-ignored in fantasy games.
Warcaster is my number 4. It'll be in Martial Artistry and introduces a cantrip-caster that actually -sticks- with being a cantrip caster. Works great for that part of a "Big Battle" fantasy film where a bunch of Wizards are casting a bunch of spells on the battlefield for hours. But also introduces a whole new kind of character fantasy.
Sentinel is 5th and kind of 6th? Also coming in Martial Artistry, it's the "Hero and Companion" character. You see it a ton in movies and media but it's very hard to really do in D&D because whether you're the knight or the squire at the D&D table you're both players and don't want to be the lesser character. So this class has one player playing two characters that divide the power of a PC between them while expanding action economy.
Champion and Gunslinger are tied for 6th (7th?). The Champion is a sort of 4e styled Fighter for A5e/5e with marking mechanics but also a mechanical focus on Quests and Inspiration manipulation. While the Gunslinger works great for Quasi-America games, obviously, but works well for a game with spy action, pirates, or other roles where someone can focus in on ranged attacks. Swap out "Gun" for "Hand Crossbow" and it makes a pretty fantastic Drow Assassin. Especially since I gave them a combat style for using a pistol in one hand and a sword in the other (which also Pirates real good.)
But those haven't released, yet.
(I will note that the Sentinel has gotten rave reviews among the 3rd party publishers of A5e, even from people who were deeply skeptical from the start!)
Esper is number 1. Not just a psionic caster class, but a psionic caster class which has some mechanical distinctions from traditional spellcasters.
Marshal is number 2. Also known as the Warlord, it's a great design structure to break the rule that "Only magic can heal wounds" which has always been bothersome.
Wielder is number 3. It's a -fantastic- class in the Manual of Adventurous Resources Complete. It's sort of a Martial-Warlock centered around having a powerful magic item that is a core character trait. Very common in media, oft-ignored in fantasy games.
Warcaster is my number 4. It'll be in Martial Artistry and introduces a cantrip-caster that actually -sticks- with being a cantrip caster. Works great for that part of a "Big Battle" fantasy film where a bunch of Wizards are casting a bunch of spells on the battlefield for hours. But also introduces a whole new kind of character fantasy.
Sentinel is 5th and kind of 6th? Also coming in Martial Artistry, it's the "Hero and Companion" character. You see it a ton in movies and media but it's very hard to really do in D&D because whether you're the knight or the squire at the D&D table you're both players and don't want to be the lesser character. So this class has one player playing two characters that divide the power of a PC between them while expanding action economy.
Champion and Gunslinger are tied for 6th (7th?). The Champion is a sort of 4e styled Fighter for A5e/5e with marking mechanics but also a mechanical focus on Quests and Inspiration manipulation. While the Gunslinger works great for Quasi-America games, obviously, but works well for a game with spy action, pirates, or other roles where someone can focus in on ranged attacks. Swap out "Gun" for "Hand Crossbow" and it makes a pretty fantastic Drow Assassin. Especially since I gave them a combat style for using a pistol in one hand and a sword in the other (which also Pirates real good.)
But those haven't released, yet.
(I will note that the Sentinel has gotten rave reviews among the 3rd party publishers of A5e, even from people who were deeply skeptical from the start!)
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