C H A P T E R 2

Character Classes

2Your character’s class is the most

important factor in determining what your character can do. Your class determines what armor and weapons you start off knowing how to use, what skills you can learn, how many hit points you have, and— most important—the class features and powers you wield. These, in turn, determine what role you’re best suited for in combat encounters as well as in some noncombat encounters.

This chapter introduces eight classes to the D&D game, representing three power sources and all four character roles. The bard and the sorcerer take their place alongside other arcane classes. The avenger and the invoker expand the roster of divine classes to all four roles. The primal power source is represented here by one class for each role: barbarian, druid, shaman, and warden.

Every class dabbles in functions related to another role. Some classes have one secondary role, whereas others incline toward one of two secondary roles based on an individual character’s choice of class features and powers. The role entries for the classes in this book note each class’s secondary role or roles.

Here you’ll find descriptions of the following eight classes, along with four new paragon paths for each one. The chapter concludes with six new epic destinies.

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