Summary
One D&Dhas been making some changes to the game’s classes, but there is one area where it is missing the mark. As the latest incarnation ofDungeons and Dragons, there is a lot of pressure onOne D&Dto deliver a fun and functional game. After all, even with several other titles on the market,Dungeons and Dragonsis still the most popular and widely recognized tabletop RPG in the world. IfOne D&D’s new design proves satisfactory, it will ensure that it remains on top. However, missing out on an opportunity could prove equally costly.
After 2023 saw theremarkable success ofBaldur’s Gate 3,Dungeons and Dragons' place as an entertainment icon was re-established.Baldur’s Gate 3was based on the fifth edition ofDungeons and Dragons, and its influence is woven into the game’s mechanics.One D&Dseeks to have a similar impact onDungeons and Dragonsin its more traditional tabletop environment. Set to be the latest ruleset of the game,One D&Dis reworking several areas in an attempt to modernize the famous RPG. It has yet to see a release yet, so its full impact is still unknown, but players can glean a few things from available information.
RELATED:Rogue Changes in One D&D Explained
One D&D is Reworking Classes, but Hasn’t Revealed Any New Ones
There are severalchanges to classic classes inOne D&D, giving players several new toolkits to work with when creating new characters. While most of the classes are still the same at their core, playing them inOne D&Dshould be a notably different experience from playing in 5th Edition. However, even with classes getting redesigned, the game could still be missing out on a major advancement. So far, there doesn’t seem to be any hint thatOne D&Dwill be featuring any new core classes. WhileDungeons and Dragons' core classes are classics, not expanding on them inOne D&Dcould be a missed opportunity.
Introducing new classes isn’t completely out of the norm, withDungeons and Dragons' own Monk classat one point being a Cleric subclass. One could simply look to fan content for new ideas, since fans have designed several new classes of their own, with many of these homebrews being as polished as official releases.
Rugged unarmed fighter that’s hard to take down
Magic-user that trades sheer power for unmatched magical flexibility
Monster hunters that sacrifice life force for extra strength
Rain-Junkie
Warrior who fights alongside a dragon companion of their choice
WhileDungeons and Dragons' core classes are classics, not expanding on them inOne D&Dcould be a missed opportunity.
Without new classes, players may find themselves needing to rely onnewDungeons and Dragonshomebrewin order to expand their horizons. While the game is by no means stagnant, it can’t help but be a little disappointing for a major update to not add a new playable class. Granted,One D&D’s release will be in 2024, so there is still time for a new class to be announced, but one would expect that to be revealed fairly early in order to excite fans. The redesigned classes will give players something to look forward to, but probably won’t have the same impact as something entirely new.
The changes inOne D&Dwill have an impact on howepic adventures inDungeons and Dragonsare designed in the future. However, a new class could be an even bigger perk for the game. There are still a lot of new ideas that could be explored, and the rich homebrew scene is proof of that. Bringing a new class into the game could send a shockwave through the game, giving something that can’t be found in existing classes, or that combos well with those classes. Without any new classes,One D&Dmay not end up being as revolutionary as it could have been.
Dungeons and Dragons
Created by Gary Gygax, Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop game in which players craft their own worlds and band together to take on adventures through mysterious realms outlined in companion materials. One of the best role-playing games ever made, it has been adapted into a variety of video games and other media.
