Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Race/Class Synergy in 4e: PHB2 Races

Following up last week's analysis of synergy between the Player's Handbook 1 races and the Player's Handbook 2 classes, this week I have analysis of the PHB2 races and all the core classes. Again I'm using the definitions posted at Incredible Vehicle for top, second and bottom tiers.

What I call a top tier combination is where a race’s bonus attributes map directly to a class’ primary and secondary. ... A second tier combo is one where a race has one attribute that maps to a primary or secondary. ... When a race has no attributes, or only a tertiary attribute, it’s third tier.

As before, top tier combinations are green, second tier white and third tier red.



Deva
Gnome
Goliath
Half-Orc
Longtooth
Shifter
Razorclaw
Shifter


Int, Wis
Int, Cha
Str, Con
Str, Dex
Str, Wis
Dex, Wis
Cleric
Str, Wis
1
0
1
1
2
1

Wis, Cha
1
1
0
0
1
1
Fighter
Str, Con
0
0
2
1
1
0

Str, Dex or Wis*
1
0
1
2
2
1
Paladin
Str, Wis
1
0
1
1
2
1

Cha, Wis
1
1
0
0
1
1
Ranger
Dex, Wis
1
0
0
1
1
2

Str, Wis
1
0
1
1
2
1
Rogue
Dex, Str
0
0
1
2
1
1

Dex, Cha
0
1
0
1
0
1
Warlock
Cha, Int
1
2
0
0
0
0

Con, Int
1
1
1
0
0
0
Warlord
Str, Cha
0
1
1
1
1
0

Str, Int
1
1
1
1
1
0
Wizard
Int, Wis
2
1
0
0
1
1

Int, Dex
1
1
0
1
0
1
Avenger
Wis, Int
2
1
0
0
1
1

Wis, Dex
1
0
0
1
1
2
Barbarian
Str, Con
0
0
2
1
1
0

Str,Cha
0
1
1
1
1
0
Bard
Cha,Int
1
2
0
0
0
0

Cha, Con
0
1
1
0
0
0
Druid
Wis, Con
1
0
1
0
1
1

Wis, Dex
1
0
0
1
1
2
Invoker
Wis, Int
2
1
0
0
1
1

Wis, Con
1
0
1
0
1
1
Shaman
Wis, Con
1
0
1
0
1
1

Wis, Int
2
1
0
0
1
1
Sorcerer
Cha, Dex
0
1
0
1
0
1

Cha, Str
0
1
1
1
1
0
Warden
Str, Con
0
0
2
1
1
0

Str, Wis
1
0
1
1
2
1

Synergy "score"
25
19
21
21
30
24

Finally, a top tier race (deva) for the control wizard... in the same book with more controller classes. Ah well, better late than never. Longtooth shifters take the most-top-tier-builds title with five, followed by devas with four. Note that out of all the PHB1 races the maximum is three. You could build a well rounded party with nothing but shifters - the only role the longtooths (longteeth?) don't cover as a top tier build is controller, and the razorclaws have that covered with one of the druid builds.

Three of the new races get a Strength boost. Along with the dragonborn that means by choosing the right race you can get a Strength boost along with any other ability... except Intelligence. So there's still no top tier race for the tactical warlord (though all the PHB2 races are second tier for the build). Also, there's still no top tier race for the laser cleric and pretty paladin (Wis, Cha) builds or the scourge warlock (Con, Int) build. Interestingly, all the PHB2 class builds are a top tier build for one or more races.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey I really appreciate all the analysis that you've done for the race/class combos. Thank you!

Looks like for the Shifter, you only tracked one of the types. Shifter comes in two flavors, longtooth and razor claw, and they have different ability bonuses.

-moose

Gregor LeBlaque said...

Good catch. Fixed easily enough since the razorclaw has the same ability boosts as the elf. Also, text updated to note that considering the fix you could build a completely well rounded party with nothing but shifters instead of an almost well rounded party with just longtooth shifters.

Chris Cumming said...

The Monster Manual races present the Githyanki as a top tier race for the Scourge Warlock, though the laser cleric and pretty paladin still need a Wis/Cha race.

Scott said...

The genasi, from the FR books, are a Str/Int race, and fit the tactical warlord (as well as the swordmage). Of course, that's not core...

I'm a bit surprised there hasn't been a Wis/Cha race yet. I expect PHB3 will have that covered.

Ameron said...

If you found this useful, then I encourage you to check out the Skill Matrix by Class and Race we offer at Dungeon's Master.