Classes in Dungeons and Dragons

In Dungeons and Dragons Fourth Edition, the classes are categorized in two ways.

Role
The roles used in Neverwinter are drawn from Dungeons and Dragons Fourth Edition:

Examples

 * Defenders: Fighter, Paladin, Warden, Battlemind, Swordmage
 * Leaders: Cleric, Warlord, Bard, Shaman, Ardent, Runepriest
 * Controllers: Wizard, Druid, Invoker, Psion, Seeker
 * Strikers: Ranger, Rogue, Warlock, Avenger, Barbarian, Sorcerer, Assassin

These are the primary roles, but each class can have a secondary role. In other words, you can have a Barbarian, who is very good striker with high DPS, also be a Defender when needed. However, a secondary role will never surpass a primary role, hence a Fighter will always be a better Defender than a Barbarian. As a result, a Barbarian will be a better Striker than a Fighter at any given time.

Origin of Power
Origin of Power is another way to categorize classes. There are a few Origins as described below:


 * Martial
 * These classes have developed their might by themselves - physical practices, doing parkour in trees or practicing their aim on bulls-eye. They do not use magic and such other things.


 * Examples: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue, Warlord


 * Primal
 * These classes use the powers of the Primordials - the power of "Elemental Beings" who have since been forgotten. Basically, this is like using the "Real Power of Mother Nature" or the "Power of the Elementals". A Druid is a good example - however, trees are not only one, but one of the many elements of nature. As a result, a Barbarian is a also a Primal, because they use the powers of their "ancestors".


 * IMPORTANT NOTE:- Rangers are not Primal, as they practice their shooting skills, using the environment to their advantage and "natural traps" . They do not use the power of primal beings like elementals or ancestor spirits.
 * Examples: Barbarian, Druid, Shaman, Seeker, Warden


 * Divine
 * These classes draw their powers from the Powers of the Gods. Basically, the power of Paladins and Clerics from 3e.

One exception to be noted here is Selune, whose Divine and Arcane powers are often overlapping. This is because she allows her powers to be used by Arcanists too, as the Moon always had mysterious Arcanist connections (according to PHB 4e, she gives out radiant power both Arcane and Divine] Also, Corellon gives Divine powers and elemental Arcane powers. Lastly, Sseth gives Dark-Magic (Evil) powers which drain Arcane magic out of other people.
 * Examples: Avenger, Cleric, Invoker, Paladin, Runepriest


 * Arcane
 * The magic of Wizard, Sorcerers etc. It was assumed that it coulc only come from Weave like Shadow Weave or Mystra's Weave, but with Weave no more - It became obvious that the old ways of thinking were a lie. It can be used without Weave, too.


 * Examples: Bard, Sorcerer, Swordmage, Warlock, Wizard,


 * Psion
 * Psionic powers are rare in Toril, and people often confuse it with Divine and Arcane magic. There are no known schools or cabals of Psionic power in Toril. Even though monks exist in Toril, very rarely do some monks practise psion crafts - and even so, they are self taught. Thousands of years ago, Jhaamdath existed as a Psiocracy, in now present Vilhon wilds, but were destroyed by High Elven Arcanists. Many psionic artifacts can still be found in those ruins. After Spellplague, Psionic activities have been on continous rise in Toril, unknown to common folks. Many Ardents, Psion and Battleminds have been growing in number. Rumours of many monks who can "defeat an army" have also emerged.

The rise may have been due to Spellplague or Abeir's return - but it is unknown which event caused influx of Psions in such a large number. e.g. Monks become outsiders(aliens) when they master monkhood. Basically, Kung-fu ki is Psion. Other classes use power of though. So for example, if you think you are not hurt from the last attack, you will heal. If you think you will not be defeated, you will not get attacked. Hence, power of thought is Psion. The psions(outsiders beings) use telekinetic and telepathic powers. So these two are also psion powers.
 * Examples: Ardent, Battlemind, Monk, Psion


 * Shadow
 * There is a Shadow source too, but it will probably not be included for Player Characters in Neverwinter due to its corrupting nature over normal people.


 * Examples: Assassin, Blackguard, Necromancer, Shadowmancer, Vampire, Witch

Gameplay Preferences
It is important to classify the classes either by Role or by Origin, if you want to decide your favorite.

- If you like a glass cannon and the Gods - it means you should choose the role Striker and the Origin as Divine. Avenger (basically Divine Assassin) is one of your possible choices.

- If you like Gods but not Healing, as well as a class like a Warlock without Devils being involved? Choose Invoker.

- Want to be an alien but a Controller mage? Choose Psion

- Want to wield a dagger like a Rogue but also want "Shamanic" power? Barbarian!

Builds
Builds are specific variants of classes.


 * Ardent (Psionic Leader)
 * Enlightened Ardent
 * Euphoric Ardent
 * Impetuous Ardent


 * Artificer (Arcane Controller)
 * Tinkerer Artificer
 * Warrior Forge Artificer


 * Assassin (Shadow Striker)
 * Bleak Disciple Assassin
 * Night Stalker Assassin
 * Executioner


 * Avenger (Divine Striker)
 * Isolating Avenger
 * Pursuing Avenger
 * Commanding Avenger


 * Barbarian (Primal Striker)
 * Rageblood Barbarian
 * Thaneborn Barbarian
 * Thunderborn Barbarian
 * Berserker


 * Bard (Arcane Leader)
 * Cunning Bard
 * Valorous Bard
 * Prescient Bard
 * Skald


 * Battlemind (Psionic Defender)
 * Resilient Battlemind
 * Quick Battlemind
 * Harrier Battlemind


 * Cleric (Divine Leader)
 * Battle Cleric
 * Devoted Cleric
 * Shielding Cleric
 * Warpriest


 * Druid (Primal Controller/Leader)
 * Guardian Druid
 * Predator Druid
 * Swarm Druid
 * Sentinel
 * Protector


 * Fighter (Martial Defender)
 * Great Weapon Fighter
 * Guardian Fighter
 * Arena Fighter
 * Battlerager Fighter
 * Brawling Fighter
 * Tempest Fighter
 * Knight
 * Slayer


 * Invoker (Divine Striker)
 * Preserving Invoker
 * Wrathful Invoker
 * Malediction Invoker


 * Monk (Psionic Striker)
 * Centered Breath Monk
 * Stone Fist Monk
 * Iron Soul Monk


 * Paladin (Divine Defender)
 * Avenging Paladin
 * Protecting Paladin
 * Ardent Paladin
 * Virtuous Paladin
 * Cavalier
 * Blackguard


 * Psion (Psionic Controller)
 * Telekinetic Psion
 * Telepathic Psion
 * Shaper Psion


 * Ranger (Martial Striker)
 * Archer Ranger
 * Two-Blade Ranger
 * Beastmaster Ranger
 * Hunter Ranger
 * Marauder
 * Scout


 * Rogue (Martial Striker)
 * Brawny Rogue
 * Trickster Rogue
 * Aerialist Rogue
 * Cutthroat Rogue
 * Shadowy Rogue
 * Thief


 * Runepriest (Divine Leader)
 * Defiant Runepriest
 * Wrathful Runepriest


 * Seeker (Primal Controller)
 * Protecting Seeker
 * Vengeful Seeker


 * Shaman (Primal Leader)
 * Bear Shaman
 * Panther Shaman
 * Eagle Shaman
 * World Speaker Shaman
 * Animist Shaman


 * Sorcerer (Arcane Striker)
 * Chaos Sorcerer
 * Dragon Sorcerer
 * Storm Sorcerer
 * Cosmic Sorcerer


 * Swordmage (Arcane Defender)
 * Assault Swordmage
 * Shielding Swordmage
 * Ensnaring Swordmage


 * Vampire (Shadow Striker)


 * Warlock (Arcane Striker)
 * Deceptive Warlock
 * Scourge Warlock
 * Sorcerer King Warlock
 * Hexblade
 * Binder


 * Warlord (Martial Leader)
 * Inspiring Warlord
 * Tactical Warlord
 * Bravura Warlord
 * Insightful Warlord
 * Resourceful Warlord
 * Skirmishing Warlord


 * Warden (Primal Defender)
 * Earth Warden
 * Wild Warden
 * Storm Warden
 * Life Warden


 * Wizard (Arcane Controller)
 * Control Wizard
 * War Wizard
 * Illusionist Wizard
 * Summoning Wizard
 * Mage
 * Witch