Blade Brains

[Celorn]

Well, i mentioned the non 'warrior' classes, because all the warrior classes on their own are too WEAK on a low magic world because magic rules all. The only exception may be paladin, to an extent.

Sure, Rangers can cast freedom which helps against stonehold, and barbarians can RAGE their way to more ab/hitpoints... but that will only get you so far, vs NPCs or PCs alike. Plus, if you are dex-based, a mage is gonna easily wail &/or bigby you.

Getting back to paladins - they can be REALLY good (especially if you put 30 levels into them) but on NS4, it looks like 'Holy avenger' has been removed from the paladin's holy sword spell, which again makes fighting casters a lot harder, BUT the boost to saves do help you against so many things, that it's truly the one fighter class that has potential. But still, without a tumble-class mixed in, your AC will be low without divine shield activated, plus all fighter classes are doomed from the start if they can't cast haste! -- How are you knock down or even HIT a caster who is hasted? (sure you can drink haste pots but that gets expensive and can be dispelled in a heartbeat, or you can take the Blinding Speed feat for 1x haste, or use the LA speed token but then you're limited to 25 dex or being of LA). Also, a bow is useless on NS4 against mages/druids so far because there aren't any +5 arrows, so premonition and stoneskin beat you there.

So, if you're talking pure warrior classes (Ranger, Fighter, Paladin, Barb, WM, CoT, etc..) you just can't compete solo, but if you put in some caster levels, or pair up with a caster, suddenly things will slant towards your favour.