Well here we go. After posting my version of the Barbarian class suitable for play at my table, I couldn’t just stop there. This is my version of the first edition ranger. Using the BX Options Class Builder rules, I created what I think is a very successful ranger class. Click on the picture for the pdf. Many rambling thoughts after the image.

One of the things I’ve noticed about most of my classes is that they resemble the advanced classes more than anything. The only ones that seem to fit perfectly in my B/X game are the Hedgehog Guardian (Demi-human druid), Gnome Illusionist, Dwarven Templar (Dwarven cleric), Elven Ranger (Elf with druid spells), Halfling Robber (Halfling Thief), and the Ninja Cat. All of these demi-human classes have similar abilities to the ones found in the original rules, so none of them seem overpowered, and in my opinion help define the style of the campaign world at my table.

My mostly completed human classes on the other hand: Druid, Paladin, Ranger, Barbarian, Red Wizard, and Hunter (Witcher class), require too many abilities to match previous editions that they seem to be overpowered compared to the original human classes in B/X.

When I look at the human classes in B/X like the Cleric, it has two major Special Abilities: Turn Undead and Clerical Spells. The Magic-User has Spells and Magical Research. The Thief has three: the Thief Abilities, Backstab, delayed Read Languages (which I’d consider fairly minor), and delayed Use Magical Scrolls.

But with my Ranger, which I love anyway, has FIVE Special Abilities compared to the other human classes. I’m not counting the followers because in one way or another pretty much every class gets them. But the Ranger still gets Bonus Damage versus giants and goblinkin, Danger Sense, Tracking, delayed Druid & Magic User Spells, and like the Thief, delayed limited magic item use. Now the Bonus Damage I see as comparable to the Backstab for all the times I’ve seen thieves able to use it in pre-3e games. Tracking would be comparable to the Thief Abilities but not nearly as versatile. Maybe Danger Sense balances it out. I don’t know; it just feels like too much. But what abilities do I take away?

Now one class I shouldn’t have a problem with is my Druid. You would think that a Druid class with two Special Abilities: Wildshape and Druid Spells wouldn’t be a problem. But no, I added just the Pass without Trace and Identify Plants and Animals abilities at third level and even that seems too much. Think of all the abilities I kicked to the curb!

I want to eventually make a B/X Bard, but what abilities stay/go? Bard Influence, Bard Inspiration, Bard Lore, Thief Abilities, Magic-User Spells, Bard Songs.

I also want to make some type of Ki-powered Monk. I love my 5e Monk. And I know the Mystic exists, but it has so many powers that I’m not sure it fits in a B/X style game.

Again this is all in comparison to the B/X or early BECMI human classes. If I could keep the Special Abilities to two or three, then maybe my classes wouldn’t seem so overpowered. But that leaves me at an impasse with a lot of them. What do I take away while still keeping the flavor of the class?

At my table with my kids and friends, I never cared all that much. But posting my classes, I’d like to make sure they are basically balanced with each other. So it might be awhile before I post some of the classes inspired by earlier edition classes. Honestly, while writing this post, I’ve given myself a lot to think about.

For the past few (5+) years, I’ve been running a B/X game with my children, and much like I did when I was just a wee little tyke, I’ve let them build character’s that they’d like to play rather than restrict them to the classic seven. I love making new classes for these games, and I also like to convert old classes. To date standout classes that we’ve created are a Hedgehog Guardian (a druid demi-human), a Red Wizard (modeled off the class in Final Fantasy 1), a Grim Reaper, a Ninja Cat (inspired by our feline master who has so graciously allowed me the time to make this post), and a few more classes inspired by earlier editions of a world famous Adventure Fantasy Game.

The one I’d like to share today is one I created almost a year ago after being inspired by a livestream on YouTube by Fred from How to RPG. What he did was take the 5e Barbarian class, deconstruct it, and rebuild it.

So I thought, why shouldn’t I do that for my game. And I did. What’s even better is that after I shared it with him, he devoted another live stream to making a BECMI character using that design. You can watch that here.

So after all this time, I am posting this class write up here. Let’s see if I can figure out how to use the WordPress system again. Click on the image to download the pdf.

Well, crap, I should post more often. I had to copy a previous post to get this one set up to match my previous posts.

A few notes on my version. I based my class on the 1e version of the barbarian, but that one has a lot of abilities than I am not a big fan of and doesn’t have the rage ability which I think is one of it’s core abilities. It also has an insane amount of experience required to rise in levels so I had to make a lot of choices on what to include and exclude. I am really happy with the final product so feel free to use this class for your own game and please reply if you have any thoughts you’d like to share.