Let me tell you about my character. I’m playing a star pact warlock named Melech in Chris Perkins’s weekly game. Melech has learned the secret names of the stars. He has caught a glimpse of a realm far beyond the lamps of night. Though it nearly drove him insane, he gained amazing power. He can madden or terrify his enemies, scour his foes with star curses, and cast all manner of terrifying spells.
Although my preference could change over time, it wouldn’t be a mischaracterization to say that the warlock is one of my favorite D&D classes. I first played a “warlock” named Japheth as a made-up class in my friend JD Sparks’s campaign in 1984. “Official” warlocks later appeared in the D&D game during 3rd Edition, then they showed up again in the first Player’s Handbook of 4th Edition.
I happen to know that my friend Rob Schwalb has an unhealthy interest in assassins. Something to do with the stabby-stabby, perhaps. Assassins have been around since forever (as in, the Blackmoor supplement as a thief subclass).
And my friend Monte Cook is enamored with wizards. And really, who isn’t? Wizards learn magic, and, with enough study, they can become archmages or lichs. They might even have spells named after them if they become famous enough. D&D has had wizards since the beginning, though they started the game with the name “magic-users.”
Throughout its history, D&D has published dozens of classes, from cavaliers to barbarians, and shamans to thief-acrobats. You probably have a favorite, and we want to know what it is! Just to keep the list of choices manageable, let’s restrict the possibilities only to classes that have appeared in a Player’s Handbook that served as the initial offering of a given edition.
What is your favorite class from across the editions?
