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That's a martial leader, like the Warlord.

lord_zack wrote:

But one of the classes I mentioned above should be able to take the alchemy skill. But as I said, alchemy isn't necessarily necessary to have a martial controller.

It is the only logical answer i can think of to have a *martial* character able to *modify* battlefield.

Solik wrote:

Something I'm pondering is where they'll put Eastern inspired martial arts capabilities. A martial artist who trains, becomes capable of focusing inner ki, and fires a hadoken (Street Fighter games). Is that martial? Arcane? Or a new "Ki" power source?

Personally I'd take the supernatural parts of the monk and make it a psionic striker... The unarmed strike/trip/disarm stuff however should remain martial... So I guess I'm proposing a splitting up of the monk into two ....

lord_zack wrote:

The Wizard's abilities aren't all about modifying terrain. There's stuff like grease that does that, but that's not necessarily an essential part of the controller role.

Not *all* the wizard abilities are about modifying terrain, but *some* are. Just like not *all* the wizard powers have area of effect, but *some* have. And i think i have read several times that it is an *essential* part of the controller role. They specifically mentioned Wall of Force several times i think.

When I think of Martial Controller, I think of an alchemist, using potions and tinctures and other things to modify the battlefield or create conditions that hamper adversaries. I also think of an artificer who employs fantastic technology, like primitive firearms, clockwork automata, gear-and-spring weaponry, and other gadgets such as a walking wall of whirling blades. Another option is the hunter mentioned earlier, a guy who uses traps to stymie foes, knowledge of terrain to put people at disadvantages, and animal companions as a means to "spread out" damage out put. There is also a "weapon master" controller, who uses things like bolas, nets, and disarms to muck around with foes. Finally, I think of a someone like a mastermind, using detailed plans to place foes in a pickle and an assortment of debuff powers that are described as extremely skillful intimidation.

Either as a talent tree or a suite of powers, I believe Rangers will be given the "hunter" aspect. I'm fairly sure Fighters will get the lion's share of "weapon master" abilities, probably as a talent tree. I also believe Rogues will likely get "mastermind" abilities. Not being Controllers, these classes will not be as efficient at controlling the battlefield as Wizards or other pure Controllers, but they will probably be viable builds and will add some further utility to the base Role.

The tech-based Controllers could indeed make a class. They probably could be talent trees or power suites of the same class - maybe an Alchemy talent tree and Artifice talent tree. I'd name the class "Savant" or (even though it's "boring" ) "Expert." I like Savant, so I'll use that one.

Example powers would be potions that make a mist, a blunderbuss, or a bladed whirly-gig. Even though the Savant's power are gadget based, to maintain balance the power structure has to follow the same at will/per encounter/per day set up that other classes use. At the very least, they may be required to purchase specific weapons or kits, but most of their combat powers would be free (from a money perspective) modifications.

The way to explain the three tier power setup with tech based characters is that the more powerful potions or gizmos require more prep time or more upkeep. For example, an at will potion could be something simple that the character whips up on the spot. A per encounter potion is something that probably needs a few minutes to mix up. A per day potion requires lots of brewing (about a day) to make.

Similar, a per encounter piece of tech is something that can be utilized easily. A per encounter gadget might take a few minutes to be "wound up" or reloaded. A per day gizmo would require lots of upkeep - after its use, the gadgeteer probably has to spend several hours doing minor repairs and the like.

I think for this class to "make sense," players are going to have to assume that the Savant is doing a lot of upkeep "off panel." So when the party takes a break, the Savant is spending time winding up gadgets or organizing ingredients. But I think we can assume that all classes will be doing similar "upkeeps" - wizards will probably review spell books, fighters will practice a few moves, clerics will recite a few prayers, warlords mentally review strategies, and so on.

Related to this is the question "Why don't PCs just stockpile potions?" Because the powers are free from a monetary perspective, this is a potential balance issue. It must be assumed that the technology that explains Savant powers isn't very robust - when potions are made, they "go bad" soon and have to be remade. When a gizmo is built, most of the Savant's attention is spent keeping the machine in good working order - he simply can't dedicate enough time to building more. Again, most of this upkeep will probably be assumed to be happening off panel.