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Examples of variant classes in ''D&D'' include the [[Sidhe Scholar]] (a [[Druid]] who learns its lore from [[Fey|fae]] tutors, giving it unique traits like learning [[Alignment|Evil]] [[Cleric Domain|Domain]] spells) and the [[Paladin]]s of Freedom, Tyranny and Slaughter (Paladins who must be Chaotic Good, Lawful Evil and Chaotic Evil, respectively). Similarly, 4th Edition has the oft-maligned ''Essentials'' classes from the latter parts of the edition's lifespan (Usually from the ''Heroes of X'' classes) which attempted to simplify the progressions of classes by making overarching features that progressed as the character advanced, but often stripped the character of any choice from the parent class' powers and sticking them with leftovers.
Examples of variant classes in ''D&D'' include the [[Sidhe Scholar]] (a [[Druid]] who learns its lore from [[Fey|fae]] tutors, giving it unique traits like learning [[Alignment|Evil]] [[Cleric Domain|Domain]] spells) and the [[Paladin]]s of Freedom, Tyranny and Slaughter (Paladins who must be Chaotic Good, Lawful Evil and Chaotic Evil, respectively). Similarly, 4th Edition has the oft-maligned ''Essentials'' classes from the latter parts of the edition's lifespan (Usually from the ''Heroes of X'' classes) which attempted to simplify the progressions of classes by making overarching features that progressed as the character advanced, but often stripped the character of any choice from the parent class' powers and sticking them with leftovers.


==3.5E==
==3.x E==
 
{|class="wikitable" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center" border="1" width="100%"
{|cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center" border="1" style="background:Ivory4";" width="100%"
|- align=center align=center
|- style=background:#565656 align=center align=center  
!Base Class
!Base Class
!Variant
!Variant
!Source
!Source
|-
|-
! rowspan="6" | Barbarian
![[Adept]]
|[[Urban Adept]]
|[[Sharn: City of Towers]] pg. 167
|-
![[Artificer#3rd_Edition|Artificer]]
|[[Psionic Artificer]]
|[[Magic of Eberron]] pgs. 42-43
|-
|-
! rowspan="7" | [[Barbarian#3rd & 3.5th Edition|Barbarian]]
|[[Horselord]]
|[[Horselord]]
|
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #338 pg. 88
|-
|[[Hunter]]
|
|-
|-
|[[Implacable]]
|[[Implacable]]
Line 30: Line 33:
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 58
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 58
|-
|-
! rowspan="7" | Bard
|[[Variant Barbarian]] (Dragon Magazine)
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #349 pg. 92-93
|-
|[[Variant Barbarian]] (Planar)
|[[Planar Handbook]] pgs. 28-29
|-
|[[Variant Barbarian]] (Sandstorm)
|[[Sandstorm]] pg. 44-45
|-
|-
! rowspan="6" | [[Bard#3rd Edition|Bard]]
|[[Bardic Sage]]
|[[Bardic Sage]]
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 49
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 49
Line 37: Line 48:
|[[Divine Bard]]
|[[Divine Bard]]
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 50
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 50
|-
|[[Fey Bard]]
|
|-
|-
|[[Harbinger]]
|[[Harbinger]]
|
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #337 pg. 93
|-
|-
|[[Savage Bard]]
|[[Savage Bard]]
Line 50: Line 58:
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 58
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 58
|-
|-
! rowspan="11" | Cleric
|[[Variant Bard]] (Planar)
|[[Planar Handbook]] pgs. 29-30
|-
|-
! rowspan="13" | [[Cleric#Third Edition|Cleric]]
|[[Ancestral Speaker]]
|[[Ancestral Speaker]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #311 pgs. 47-48
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #311 pgs. 47-48
Line 63: Line 73:
|[[Benevolent]]
|[[Benevolent]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #311 pg. 50
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #311 pg. 50
|-
|[[Champion]]
|
|-
|-
|[[Cloistered Cleric]]
|[[Cloistered Cleric]]
Line 75: Line 82:
|[[Evangelist]]
|[[Evangelist]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #311 pgs. 52-53
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #311 pgs. 52-53
|-
|[[Lost One]]<!--IDK this one mentions like 3 different classes?-->
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #347 pgs. 90-91
|-
|-
|[[Rage Cleric]]
|[[Rage Cleric]]
|
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #333 pg. 86
|-
|[[Sacred Enforcer]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #346 pgs. 90-91
|-
|[[Variant Cleric]] (Planar)
|[[Planar Handbook]] pgs. 30-31
|-
|[[Variant Cleric]] (Sandstorm)
|[[Sandstorm]] pg. 45-47
|-
|-
|[[Variant Cleric]]
|[[Variant Cleric]]
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 58
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 58
|-
|-
! rowspan="12" | Druid
! rowspan="12" | [[Druid#Druids in 3e & PF|Druid]]
|-
|[[Druidic Avenger]]
|[[Druidic Avenger]]
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 51
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 51
|-
|[[Huntsman]]
|
|-
|-
|[[Metal Master]]
|[[Metal Master]]
Line 97: Line 112:
|-
|-
|[[Storm Druid]]
|[[Storm Druid]]
|
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #328 pg. 87
|-
|-
|[[Totem Druid]]
|[[Totem Druid]]
|
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #335 pg. 87
|-
|-
|[[Urban Druid]]
|[[Urban Druid]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #317 pgs. 30
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #317 pgs. 30
|-
|[[Variant Druid]] (Sandstorm)
|[[Sandstorm]] pgs. 47-48
|-
|[[Variant Druid]] (Planar)
|[[Planar Handbook]] pgs. 31-32
|-
|-
|[[Variant Druid]]
|[[Variant Druid]]
Line 117: Line 138:
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #311 pgs. 60-62
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #311 pgs. 60-62
|-
|-
! rowspan="18" | Fighter
! rowspan="17" | [[Fighter#3rd edition|Fighter]]
|-
|[[Bodyguard]]
|[[Bodyguard]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #310 pg. 33
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #310 pg. 33
Line 127: Line 147:
|[[Corsair]]
|[[Corsair]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #310 pgs. 34-35
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #310 pgs. 34-35
|-
|[[Dirty Fighter]]
|
|-
|-
|[[Exoticist]]
|[[Exoticist]]
Line 141: Line 158:
|-
|-
|[[Janissary]]
|[[Janissary]]
|
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #334 pgs. 88
|-
|-
|[[Kensai]]
|[[Kensai]]
Line 162: Line 179:
|-
|-
|[[Thane]]
|[[Thane]]
|
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #323 pg. 96
|-
|-
|[[Thug]]
|[[Thug]]
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 51
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 51
|-
|-
|[[Variant Fighter]]
|[[Variant Fighter]] (Planar)
|[[Planar Handbook]] pg. 32
|-
|[[Variant Fighter]] (UA)
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 58
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 58
|-
|-
! rowspan="11" | Monk
! rowspan="17" | [[Monk#Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition|Monk]]
|[[Buddhist Monk]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #358 pg. 84
|-
|-
|[[Chaos Monk]]
|[[Chaos Monk]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #335 pg 89
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #335 pg. 89
|-
|[[Clockwork Disciple]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #351 pg. 92-93
|-
|[[Franciscan Friar]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #358 pgs. 84-85
|-
|-
|[[Holy Monk]]
|[[Holy Monk]]
Line 180: Line 208:
|[[Hunter Monk]]
|[[Hunter Monk]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #310 pg. 45
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #310 pg. 45
|-
|[[Illuminated Monk]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #340 pg. 47
|-
|[[Knight Hospitaller]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #358 pg. 85
|-
|-
|[[Martial Monk]]
|[[Martial Monk]]
Line 186: Line 220:
|[[Raging Monk]]
|[[Raging Monk]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #310 pg. 45
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #310 pg. 45
|-
|[[Shinto Monk]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #358 pg. 85
|-
|-
|[[Sidewinder Monk]]
|[[Sidewinder Monk]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #331 pg.89
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #331 pg. 89
|-
|-
|[[Steadfast Monk]]
|[[Steadfast Monk]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #310 pg. 45
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #310 pg. 45
|-
|-
|[[Variant Monk]]
|[[Variant Monk]] (Planar)
|[[Planar Handbook]] pgs. 32-33
|-
|[[Variant Monk]] (UA)
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 58
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 58
|-
|-
Line 200: Line 240:
|-
|-
|[[Wild Monk]]
|[[Wild Monk]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #310
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #324 pg. 97
|-
|-
! rowspan="16" | Paladin
![[Ninja#3rd Edition|Ninja]]
|[[Variant Ninja]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #354 pgs. 86-87
|-
|-
! rowspan="19" | [[Paladin#3rd Edition|Paladin]]
|[[Anarch]] (CN)
|[[Anarch]] (CN)
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #310 pgs. 47-49
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #310 pgs. 47-49
Line 224: Line 267:
|[[Incarnate]] (N)
|[[Incarnate]] (N)
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #310 pgs. 52-53
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #310 pgs. 52-53
|-
|[[Inquisitor]]
|
|-
|-
|[[Paladin of Freedom]]
|[[Paladin of Freedom]]
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pgs. 53-55
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pgs. 53-55
|-
|[[Paladin of Light]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #340 pg. 47
|-
|-
|[[Paladin of Slaughter]]
|[[Paladin of Slaughter]]
Line 240: Line 283:
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #310 pgs. 50-52
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #310 pgs. 50-52
|-
|-
|[[Variant Paladin]]
|[[Solstice Knight]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #338 pg. 94
|-
|[[Variant Paladin]] (CW)
|[[Complete Book Series|Complete Warrior]] pg. 13
|-
|[[Variant Paladin]] (Dragon Magazine)
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #349 pg. 93
|-
|[[Variant Paladin]] (Planar)
|[[Planar Handbook]] pgs. 33-34
|-
|[[Variant Paladin]] (Sandstorm)
|[[Sandstorm]] pg. 48
|-
|[[Variant Paladin]] (UA)
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 58
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 58
|-
|-
|[[Warrior Paladin]]
|[[Wyrmslayer]]
|
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #332 pg. 90
|-
|-
|[[Wyrmslayer]]
![[Psion]]
|
|[[Erudite]]
|[[Complete Book Series|Complete Psionics]] pgs. 153-156
|-
|-
! rowspan="8" | Ranger
! rowspan="9" | [[Ranger#3rd Edition|Ranger]]
|[[Moon-Warded Ranger]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #340 pg. 55
|-
|-
|[[Mystic Ranger]]
|[[Mystic Ranger]]
|
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #336 pg. 105
|-
|-
|[[Planar Ranger]]
|[[Planar Ranger]]
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 55  
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 55  
|-
|[[Predator]]
|
|-
|-
|[[Urban Ranger]]
|[[Urban Ranger]]
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pgs. 55-56
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pgs. 55-56
|-
|-
|[[Variant Ranger]]
|[[Variant Ranger]] (CW)
|[[Complete Book Series|Complete Warrior]] pg. 13
|-
|[[Variant Ranger]] (Planar)
|[[Planar Handbook]] pg. 34
|-
|[[Variant Ranger]] (Sandstorm)
|[[Sandstorm]] pg. 48-49
|-
|[[Variant Ranger]] (UA)
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 58
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 58
|-
|[[Warrior Ranger]]
|
|-
|-
|[[Wild Defender]]
|[[Wild Defender]]
|
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #324 pg. 95
|-
|-
! rowspan="4" | Rogue
! rowspan="4" | [[Rogue#Rogues in 3rd Edition|Rogue]]
|-
|[[Lunar Rogue]]
|[[Adventurer]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #340 pgs. 55-56
|
|-
|-
|[[Wilderness Rogue]]
|[[Wilderness Rogue]]
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 56
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 56
|-
|-
|[[Variant Paladin]]
|[[Variant Rogue]] (Planar)
|[[Planar Handbook]] pgs. 34-36
|-
|[[Variant Rogue]] (UA)
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 58
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 58
|-
|-
! rowspan="4" | Sorcerer
! rowspan="5" | [[Sorcerer (Dungeons & Dragons)#Comparison to Third Edition Wizards|Sorcerer]]
|-
|[[Battle Sorcerer]]
|[[Battle Sorcerer]]
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 56-57
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 56-57
|-
|-
|[[Variant Paladin]]
|[[Variant Sorcerer]] (Dragon Magazine)
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #348 pg. 88-89
|-
|[[Variant Sorcerer]] (Planar)
|[[Planar Handbook]] pgs. 35-36
|-
|[[Variant Sorcerer]] (Sandstorm)
|[[Sandstorm]] pg. 49
|-
|[[Variant Sorcerer]] (UA)
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pgs. 58-59
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pgs. 58-59
|-
|-
|[[Witch]]
! rowspan="19" | [[Wizard#In 3rd Edition|Wizard]]
|
|[[Abjurer]]
|-
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pgs. 59-60
! rowspan="10" | Wizard
|-
|-
|[[Anagakok]]
|[[Anagakok]]
Line 301: Line 374:
|[[Combat Wizard]]
|[[Combat Wizard]]
|
|
|-
|[[Conjurer]]
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 60
|-
|-
|[[Deathwalker]]
|[[Deathwalker]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #312 pgs. 30-32
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #312 pgs. 30-32
|-
|[[Diviner]]
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 60
|-
|-
|[[Domain Wizard]]
|[[Domain Wizard]]
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pgs. 57-58
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pgs. 57-58
|-
|[[Enchanter]]
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pgs. 60-62
|-
|[[Conjurer]]
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pgs. 62-63
|-
|-
|[[Filidh]]
|[[Filidh]]
|
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #324 pg. 90
|-
|-
|[[Fleshcrafter]]
|[[Fleshcrafter]]
Line 316: Line 401:
|[[High Specialist]]
|[[High Specialist]]
|
|
|-
|[[Illusionist]]
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 63
|-
|[[Necromancer]]
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 63
|-
|-
|[[Soul Reaper]]
|[[Soul Reaper]]
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #312 pgs. 34-36
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #312 pgs. 34-36
|-
|-
|[[Variant Paladin]]
|[[Transmuter]]
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pgs. 63-64
|-
|[[Variant Wizard]] (Planar)
|[[Planar Handbook]] pgs. 36-37
|-
|[[Variant Wizard]] (Sandstorm)
|[[Sandstorm]] pg. 49
|-
|[[Variant Wizard]] (UA)
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 59
|[[Unearthed Arcana]] pg. 59
|}
|}


{{D&D3-Classes}}
==Racial Substitution Levels==
It's like a variant class, but you have a race requirement too.
 
{|class="wikitable" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center" border="1" width="100%"
|- align=center align=center
!Variant
!Source
|-
|Changeling egoist
|[[Races of Eberron]]
|-
|Changeling rogue
|[[Races of Eberron]]
|-
|Changeling wizard
|[[Races of Eberron]]
|-
|Dwarf cleric
|[[Races of Stone]] pg. 146
|-
|Dwarf fighter
|[[Races of Stone]] pgs. 146-147
|-
|Dwarf rogue
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #338 pg. 96
|-
|Dwarf sorcerer
|[[Races of Stone]] pg. 147
|-
|Elf paladin
|[[Races of the Wild]] pg. 155
|-
|Elf ranger
|[[Races of the Wild]] pgs. 155-157
|-
|Elf wizard
|[[Races of the Wild]] pg. 157
|-
|Gnome bard
|[[Races of Stone]] pgs. 147-148
|-
|Gnome illusionist
|[[Races of Stone]] pgs. 148-149
|-
|Gnome ranger
|[[Races of Stone]] pgs. 149-150
|-
|Goliath barbarian
|[[Races of Stone]] pgs. 150-151
|-
|Goliath druid
|[[Races of Stone]] pgs. 151-152
|-
|Goliath rogue
|[[Races of Stone]] pg. 152
|-
|Half-elf bard
|[[Races of Destiny]] pg. 157
|-
|Half-elf fighter
|[[Races of Destiny]] pgs. 157-158
|-
|Half-elf ranger
|[[Races of Destiny]] pgs. 158-159
|-
|Half-orc barbarian
|[[Races of Destiny]] pg. 159
|-
|Half-orc druid
|[[Races of Destiny]] pgs. 159-160
|-
|Half-orc paladin
|[[Races of Destiny]] pg. 160
|-
|Halfling barbarian
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #342 pgs. 90-91
|-
|Halfling druid
|[[Races of the Wild]] pgs. 157-158
|-
|Halfling monk
|[[Races of the Wild]] pgs. 158-159
|-
|Halfling rogue
|[[Races of the Wild]] pgs. 159-160
|-
|Halfling wizard
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #337 pg. 102
|-
|Kalashtar monk
|[[Races of Eberron]]
|-
|Kalashtar soulknife
|[[Races of Eberron]]
|-
|Kalashtar telepath
|[[Races of Eberron]]
|-
|Raptoran cleric
|[[Races of the Wild]] pg. 160-161
|-
|Raptoran fighter
|[[Races of the Wild]] pg. 161-162
|-
|Raptoran sorcerer
|[[Races of the Wild]] pg. 162
|-
|Shadow soulknife
|[[Dragon Magazine]] #330 pg. 46-47
|-
|Shifter druid
|[[Races of Eberron]]
|-
|Shifter ranger
|[[Races of Eberron]]
|-
|Shifter wilder
|[[Races of Eberron]]
|-
|Warforged artificer
|[[Races of Eberron]]
|-
|Warforged fighter
|[[Races of Eberron]]
|-
|Warforged paladin
|[[Races of Eberron]]
|-
|}
 
{{D&D3e-Variant Classes}}


== 4E ==
== 4E ==
Line 331: Line 561:
*'''[[Blackguard]]''' - Variant [[Paladin]] with powers drawn from vices.
*'''[[Blackguard]]''' - Variant [[Paladin]] with powers drawn from vices.
*'''[[Berserker]]''' - Variant [[Barbarian]] focused on a striking anyone who gets too close.
*'''[[Berserker]]''' - Variant [[Barbarian]] focused on a striking anyone who gets too close.
*'''Binder''' - Variant [[Warlock]] with less curses.
*'''[[Binder]]''' - Variant [[Warlock]] with less curses. Loses out on a lot of the perks that Warlocks got from books like Arcane Power.
*'''Bladesinger''' - Variant [[Wizard]] who casts spells through a sword. Loses out on a lot of the supplementary spells from stuff like Arcane Power.
*'''[[Bladesinger]]''' - Variant [[Wizard]] who casts spells through a sword. Loses out on a lot of the supplementary spells from stuff like Arcane Power.
*'''[[Cavalier]]''' - Variant [[Paladin]] that's focused more on offense at the cost of healing potential.
*'''[[Cavalier]]''' - Variant [[Paladin]] that's focused more on offense at the cost of healing potential.
*'''[[Elementalist]]''' - Variant [[Sorcerer]] powered by the elements.
*'''[[Elementalist]]''' - Variant [[Sorcerer]] powered by the elements.
*'''[[Executioner]]''' - Variant Assassin who exchanges dailies for crafting poisons and sacrifices encounter powers for a lone encounter power that adds extra damage.
*'''[[Executioner]]''' - Variant Assassin who exchanges dailies for crafting poisons and sacrifices encounter powers for a lone encounter power that adds extra damage.
*'''Hexblade''' - Variant [[Warlock]] who wields a special pact weapon and summons monsters.
*'''[[Hexblade]]''' - Variant [[Warlock]] who wields a special pact weapon and summons monsters.
*'''Hunter''' - Variant [[Ranger]] that's focused on archery and stances.
*'''Hunter''' - Variant [[Ranger]] that's focused on archery and stances.
*'''[[Knight]]''' - Variant [[Fighter]] focused more on defensive auras and stances.
*'''[[Knight]]''' - Variant [[Fighter]] focused more on defensive auras and stances.
Line 347: Line 577:
*'''[[Slayer]]''' - Variant [[Fighter]] more focused on offense.
*'''[[Slayer]]''' - Variant [[Fighter]] more focused on offense.
*'''Thief''' - Variant [[Rogue]] that's more of a skill monkey and has a special encounter power for a meaner sneak attack.
*'''Thief''' - Variant [[Rogue]] that's more of a skill monkey and has a special encounter power for a meaner sneak attack.
*'''[[Warpriest]]''' - Variant [[Cleric]] with domains baked into the class progression at the cost of everything else.
*'''[[Witch]]''' - Variant [[Wizard]] with a familiar and fortune-telling.
*'''[[Witch]]''' - Variant [[Wizard]] with a familiar and fortune-telling.
{{D&D4-Classes}}
{{D&D4e-Classes}}


==Pathfinder==
==Pathfinder==
While the Archetype system helped cut down on the extreme amount of variant classes as seen above, this game wasn't exactly immune to the phenomenon.
While the Archetype system helped cut down on the extreme amount of variant classes, as seen above, this game wasn't exactly immune to the phenomenon.


The first of the lot are the "Unchained" classes (of which there are for the [[Barbarian]], [[Monk]], [[Rogue]], and [[Summoner]]). These weren't too different from their base classes aside from rewordings to avoid abuse cases - which were extremely common in the case of the Summoner. In most cases, these were treated as little more than sidegrades with an RAW issue of blocking off all archetypes not explicitly written with them in mind.
The first of the lot are the "Unchained" classes (of which there are for the [[Barbarian]], [[Monk]], [[Rogue]], and [[Summoner]]). These weren't too different from their base classes aside from rewordings to avoid abuse cases - which were extremely common in the case of the Summoner. In most cases, these were treated as little more than sidegrades with a RAW issue of blocking off all archetypes not explicitly written with them in mind.


The second are the actual variant classes:
The second are the actual variant classes:
*'''[[Antipaladin]]''' - Variant [[Paladin]] to cover the spectrum of evil, being able to smite good and their Lay on Hands inflicting damage and debuffs.
*'''[[Ninja]]''' - Variant [[Rogue]] with a ki pool from the Monk and capable of lifting other tricks as well. Replaces Trap Sense with more of a stealth focus.
*'''[[Ninja]]''' - Variant [[Rogue]] with a ki pool from the Monk and capable of lifting other tricks as well. Replaces Trap Sense with more of a stealth focus.
*'''[[Samurai]]''' - Variant [[Cavalier]] who loses Teamwork feats but becomes tougher to take down by sheer stubbornness.
*'''[[Samurai]]''' - Variant [[Cavalier]] who loses Teamwork feats but becomes tougher to take down by sheer stubbornness.


[[Category: Roleplaying]] [[Category: Dungeons & Dragons]] [[Category: Dungeons & Dragons Classes]] [[Category: Game Mechanics]]
[[Category:Roleplaying]]
[[Category:Game Mechanics]]
[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons Mechanics]]

Latest revision as of 15:58, 23 June 2023

A Variant Class is a mechanic that is applied in RPGs with a distinct class-structure approach; more freeform games, such as Unknown Armies, GURPS, Deadlands, World of Darkness, etc, would have no use for it.

As the name suggests, a variant class is an alternative set of traits and features applied to an existing class for a different interpretation of the class's core concept whilst still retaining greater cohesion. Variant classes are simpler and easier to use than full-fledged alternate classes, because they "piggyback" most of their traits on the existing class. Dungeons & Dragons has long made extensive use of this practice, from the Kits of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons to the openly named variant classes and (closely related but not quite the same) alternate class features of 3rd Edition to the "Archetypes" mechanics of Pathfinder and 5th Edition.

Examples of variant classes in D&D include the Sidhe Scholar (a Druid who learns its lore from fae tutors, giving it unique traits like learning Evil Domain spells) and the Paladins of Freedom, Tyranny and Slaughter (Paladins who must be Chaotic Good, Lawful Evil and Chaotic Evil, respectively). Similarly, 4th Edition has the oft-maligned Essentials classes from the latter parts of the edition's lifespan (Usually from the Heroes of X classes) which attempted to simplify the progressions of classes by making overarching features that progressed as the character advanced, but often stripped the character of any choice from the parent class' powers and sticking them with leftovers.

3.x E[edit | edit source]

Base Class Variant Source
Adept Urban Adept Sharn: City of Towers pg. 167
Artificer Psionic Artificer Magic of Eberron pgs. 42-43
Barbarian Horselord Dragon Magazine #338 pg. 88
Implacable
Totem Barbarian Unearthed Arcana pgs. 48-49
Variant Barbarian Unearthed Arcana pg. 58
Variant Barbarian (Dragon Magazine) Dragon Magazine #349 pg. 92-93
Variant Barbarian (Planar) Planar Handbook pgs. 28-29
Variant Barbarian (Sandstorm) Sandstorm pg. 44-45
Bard Bardic Sage Unearthed Arcana pg. 49
Divine Bard Unearthed Arcana pg. 50
Harbinger Dragon Magazine #337 pg. 93
Savage Bard Unearthed Arcana pg. 50
Variant Bard Unearthed Arcana pg. 58
Variant Bard (Planar) Planar Handbook pgs. 29-30
Cleric Ancestral Speaker Dragon Magazine #311 pgs. 47-48
Arcane Disciple Dragon Magazine #311 pg. 49
Aspirant Dragon Magazine #311 pgs. 49-50
Benevolent Dragon Magazine #311 pg. 50
Cloistered Cleric Unearthed Arcana pgs. 50-51
Crusader Dragon Magazine #311 pgs. 50-51
Evangelist Dragon Magazine #311 pgs. 52-53
Lost One Dragon Magazine #347 pgs. 90-91
Rage Cleric Dragon Magazine #333 pg. 86
Sacred Enforcer Dragon Magazine #346 pgs. 90-91
Variant Cleric (Planar) Planar Handbook pgs. 30-31
Variant Cleric (Sandstorm) Sandstorm pg. 45-47
Variant Cleric Unearthed Arcana pg. 58
Druid Druidic Avenger Unearthed Arcana pg. 51
Metal Master Dragon Magazine #311 pgs. 59-60
Sidhe Scholar Dragon Magazine #339 pgs. 90-91
Storm Druid Dragon Magazine #328 pg. 87
Totem Druid Dragon Magazine #335 pg. 87
Urban Druid Dragon Magazine #317 pgs. 30
Variant Druid (Sandstorm) Sandstorm pgs. 47-48
Variant Druid (Planar) Planar Handbook pgs. 31-32
Variant Druid Unearthed Arcana pg. 58
Wild Reaper Dragon Magazine #311 pgs. 55-57
Wind Walker Dragon Magazine #311 pgs. 57-59
Winter Warden Dragon Magazine #311 pgs. 60-62
Fighter Bodyguard Dragon Magazine #310 pg. 33
Commander Dragon Magazine #310 pgs. 33-34
Corsair Dragon Magazine #310 pgs. 34-35
Exoticist Dragon Magazine #310 pg. 35
Fencer Dragon Magazine #310 pgs. 35-36
Horseman Dragon Magazine #310 pgs. 36
Janissary Dragon Magazine #334 pgs. 88
Kensai Dragon Magazine #310 pgs. 36
Knight Dragon Magazine #310 pgs. 36-37
Pugilist Dragon Magazine #310 pgs. 37-38
Shield Bearer Dragon Magazine #310 pg. 38
Survivalist Dragon Magazine #310 pg. 38
Targetteer Dragon Magazine #310 pgs. 38-39
Thane Dragon Magazine #323 pg. 96
Thug Unearthed Arcana pg. 51
Variant Fighter (Planar) Planar Handbook pg. 32
Variant Fighter (UA) Unearthed Arcana pg. 58
Monk Buddhist Monk Dragon Magazine #358 pg. 84
Chaos Monk Dragon Magazine #335 pg. 89
Clockwork Disciple Dragon Magazine #351 pg. 92-93
Franciscan Friar Dragon Magazine #358 pgs. 84-85
Holy Monk Dragon Magazine #310 pg. 45
Hunter Monk Dragon Magazine #310 pg. 45
Illuminated Monk Dragon Magazine #340 pg. 47
Knight Hospitaller Dragon Magazine #358 pg. 85
Martial Monk Dragon Magazine #310 pg. 45
Raging Monk Dragon Magazine #310 pg. 45
Shinto Monk Dragon Magazine #358 pg. 85
Sidewinder Monk Dragon Magazine #331 pg. 89
Steadfast Monk Dragon Magazine #310 pg. 45
Variant Monk (Planar) Planar Handbook pgs. 32-33
Variant Monk (UA) Unearthed Arcana pg. 58
Vigilant Monk Dragon Magazine #310 pg. 45
Wild Monk Dragon Magazine #324 pg. 97
Ninja Variant Ninja Dragon Magazine #354 pgs. 86-87
Paladin Anarch (CN) Dragon Magazine #310 pgs. 47-49
Anti-Paladin (CE) Dragon Magazine #312 pgs. 20-22
Avenger (CG) Dragon Magazine #310 pgs. 49-50
Corrupter (NE) Dragon Magazine #312 pgs. 24-26
Despot (LE) Dragon Magazine #312 pgs. 23-24
Enforcer (LN) Dragon Magazine #310 pgs. 53-54
Incarnate (N) Dragon Magazine #310 pgs. 52-53
Paladin of Freedom Unearthed Arcana pgs. 53-55
Paladin of Light Dragon Magazine #340 pg. 47
Paladin of Slaughter Unearthed Arcana pgs. 53-55
Paladin of Tyranny Unearthed Arcana pgs. 53-55
Sentinel (NG) Dragon Magazine #310 pgs. 50-52
Solstice Knight Dragon Magazine #338 pg. 94
Variant Paladin (CW) Complete Warrior pg. 13
Variant Paladin (Dragon Magazine) Dragon Magazine #349 pg. 93
Variant Paladin (Planar) Planar Handbook pgs. 33-34
Variant Paladin (Sandstorm) Sandstorm pg. 48
Variant Paladin (UA) Unearthed Arcana pg. 58
Wyrmslayer Dragon Magazine #332 pg. 90
Psion Erudite Complete Psionics pgs. 153-156
Ranger Moon-Warded Ranger Dragon Magazine #340 pg. 55
Mystic Ranger Dragon Magazine #336 pg. 105
Planar Ranger Unearthed Arcana pg. 55
Urban Ranger Unearthed Arcana pgs. 55-56
Variant Ranger (CW) Complete Warrior pg. 13
Variant Ranger (Planar) Planar Handbook pg. 34
Variant Ranger (Sandstorm) Sandstorm pg. 48-49
Variant Ranger (UA) Unearthed Arcana pg. 58
Wild Defender Dragon Magazine #324 pg. 95
Rogue Lunar Rogue Dragon Magazine #340 pgs. 55-56
Wilderness Rogue Unearthed Arcana pg. 56
Variant Rogue (Planar) Planar Handbook pgs. 34-36
Variant Rogue (UA) Unearthed Arcana pg. 58
Sorcerer Battle Sorcerer Unearthed Arcana pg. 56-57
Variant Sorcerer (Dragon Magazine) Dragon Magazine #348 pg. 88-89
Variant Sorcerer (Planar) Planar Handbook pgs. 35-36
Variant Sorcerer (Sandstorm) Sandstorm pg. 49
Variant Sorcerer (UA) Unearthed Arcana pgs. 58-59
Wizard Abjurer Unearthed Arcana pgs. 59-60
Anagakok Dragon Magazine #344 pgs. 104-105
Combat Wizard
Conjurer Unearthed Arcana pg. 60
Deathwalker Dragon Magazine #312 pgs. 30-32
Diviner Unearthed Arcana pg. 60
Domain Wizard Unearthed Arcana pgs. 57-58
Enchanter Unearthed Arcana pgs. 60-62
Conjurer Unearthed Arcana pgs. 62-63
Filidh Dragon Magazine #324 pg. 90
Fleshcrafter Dragon Magazine #312 pgs. 32-34
High Specialist
Illusionist Unearthed Arcana pg. 63
Necromancer Unearthed Arcana pg. 63
Soul Reaper Dragon Magazine #312 pgs. 34-36
Transmuter Unearthed Arcana pgs. 63-64
Variant Wizard (Planar) Planar Handbook pgs. 36-37
Variant Wizard (Sandstorm) Sandstorm pg. 49
Variant Wizard (UA) Unearthed Arcana pg. 59

Racial Substitution Levels[edit | edit source]

It's like a variant class, but you have a race requirement too.

Variant Source
Changeling egoist Races of Eberron
Changeling rogue Races of Eberron
Changeling wizard Races of Eberron
Dwarf cleric Races of Stone pg. 146
Dwarf fighter Races of Stone pgs. 146-147
Dwarf rogue Dragon Magazine #338 pg. 96
Dwarf sorcerer Races of Stone pg. 147
Elf paladin Races of the Wild pg. 155
Elf ranger Races of the Wild pgs. 155-157
Elf wizard Races of the Wild pg. 157
Gnome bard Races of Stone pgs. 147-148
Gnome illusionist Races of Stone pgs. 148-149
Gnome ranger Races of Stone pgs. 149-150
Goliath barbarian Races of Stone pgs. 150-151
Goliath druid Races of Stone pgs. 151-152
Goliath rogue Races of Stone pg. 152
Half-elf bard Races of Destiny pg. 157
Half-elf fighter Races of Destiny pgs. 157-158
Half-elf ranger Races of Destiny pgs. 158-159
Half-orc barbarian Races of Destiny pg. 159
Half-orc druid Races of Destiny pgs. 159-160
Half-orc paladin Races of Destiny pg. 160
Halfling barbarian Dragon Magazine #342 pgs. 90-91
Halfling druid Races of the Wild pgs. 157-158
Halfling monk Races of the Wild pgs. 158-159
Halfling rogue Races of the Wild pgs. 159-160
Halfling wizard Dragon Magazine #337 pg. 102
Kalashtar monk Races of Eberron
Kalashtar soulknife Races of Eberron
Kalashtar telepath Races of Eberron
Raptoran cleric Races of the Wild pg. 160-161
Raptoran fighter Races of the Wild pg. 161-162
Raptoran sorcerer Races of the Wild pg. 162
Shadow soulknife Dragon Magazine #330 pg. 46-47
Shifter druid Races of Eberron
Shifter ranger Races of Eberron
Shifter wilder Races of Eberron
Warforged artificer Races of Eberron
Warforged fighter Races of Eberron
Warforged paladin Races of Eberron
Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition Variant Classes
Adept Urban Adept
Artificer Psionic Artificer
Barbarian Horselord • Implacable • Totem Barbarian • Variant Barbarian
Bard Bardic Sage • Divine Bard • Harbinger • Savage Bard • Variant Bard
Cleric Ancestral Speaker • Arcane Disciple • Aspirant • Benevolent • Cloistered Cleric • Crusader • Evangelist • Lost One • Rage Cleric • Sacred Enforcer • Variant Cleric
Druid Druidic Avenger • Metal Master • Sidhe Scholar • Storm Druid • Totem Druid • Urban Druid • Variant Druid • Wild Reaper • Wind Walker • Winter Warden
Fighter Bodyguard • Commander • Corsair • Exoticist • Fencer • Horseman • Janissary • Kensai • Knight • Pugilist • Shield Bearer • Survivalist • Targetteer • Thane • Thug • Variant Fighter
Monk Buddhist Monk • Chaos Monk • Clockwork Disciple • Franciscan Friar • Holy Monk • Hunter Monk • Illuminated Monk • Knight Hospitaller • Martial Monk • Raging Monk • Shinto Monk • Sidewinder Monk • Steadfast Monk • Variant Monk • Vigilant Monk • Wild Monk
Ninja Variant Ninja
Paladin Anarch • Anti-Paladin • Avenger • Corrupter • Despot • Enforcer • Incarnate • Paladin of Freedom • Paladin of Light • Paladin of Slaughter • Paladin of Tyranny • Sentinel • Solstice Knight • Variant Paladin • Wyrmslayer
Psion Erudite
Ranger Moon-Warded Ranger • Mystic Ranger • Planar Ranger • Urban Ranger • Variant Ranger • Wild Defender
Rogue Lunar Rogue • Wilderness Rogue • Variant Rogue
Sorcerer Battle Sorcerer • Variant Sorcerer
Wizard Abjurer • Anagakok • Combat Wizard • Conjurer • Deathwalker • Diviner • Domain Wizard • Enchanter • Evoker • Filidh • Fleshcrafter • Illusionist • Necromancer • Specialist Wizard • Soul Reaper • Transmuter • Variant Wizard

4E[edit | edit source]

As mentioned above, all the variant classes for 4th Edition weren't using the AEDU system that most classes up until that point were using. Being the creation of Essentials, which tried to simplify the creation and play process for 4E, but to...less than stellar results.

  • Blackguard - Variant Paladin with powers drawn from vices.
  • Berserker - Variant Barbarian focused on a striking anyone who gets too close.
  • Binder - Variant Warlock with less curses. Loses out on a lot of the perks that Warlocks got from books like Arcane Power.
  • Bladesinger - Variant Wizard who casts spells through a sword. Loses out on a lot of the supplementary spells from stuff like Arcane Power.
  • Cavalier - Variant Paladin that's focused more on offense at the cost of healing potential.
  • Elementalist - Variant Sorcerer powered by the elements.
  • Executioner - Variant Assassin who exchanges dailies for crafting poisons and sacrifices encounter powers for a lone encounter power that adds extra damage.
  • Hexblade - Variant Warlock who wields a special pact weapon and summons monsters.
  • Hunter - Variant Ranger that's focused on archery and stances.
  • Knight - Variant Fighter focused more on defensive auras and stances.
  • Protector - Variant Druid with an AoE attack instead of Wildshape. Sacrifices dailies for a multi-use power to summon creatures.
  • Mage - Variant Wizard focused more on a particular school of magic.
  • Scout - Variant Ranger more focused on dual-wielding.
  • Sentinel - Variant Druid with an animal companion.
  • Sha'ir - Variant Wizard who controls a Gen like a familiar.
  • Skald - Variant Bard with an aura that lets others gain extra HP when they spend a recovery.
  • Slayer - Variant Fighter more focused on offense.
  • Thief - Variant Rogue that's more of a skill monkey and has a special encounter power for a meaner sneak attack.
  • Warpriest - Variant Cleric with domains baked into the class progression at the cost of everything else.
  • Witch - Variant Wizard with a familiar and fortune-telling.
Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition Classes
Player's Handbook 1 Cleric • Fighter • Paladin • Ranger • Rogue • Warlock • Warlord • Wizard
Player's Handbook 2 Avenger • Barbarian • Bard • Druid • Invoker • Shaman • Sorcerer • Warden
Player's Handbook 3 Ardent • Battlemind • Monk • Psion • Runepriest • Seeker
Heroes of X Blackguard* • Binder* • Cavalier* • Elementalist* • Hexblade* • Hunter* • Mage* • Knight* • Protector* • Scout* • Sentinel* • Skald* • Slayer* • Sha'ir* • Thief* • Vampire* • Warpriest* • Witch*
Settings Book Artificer • Bladesinger* • Swordmage
Dragon Magazine Assassin
Others Paragon Path • Epic Destiny
*·: Non-AEDU variant classes

Pathfinder[edit | edit source]

While the Archetype system helped cut down on the extreme amount of variant classes, as seen above, this game wasn't exactly immune to the phenomenon.

The first of the lot are the "Unchained" classes (of which there are for the Barbarian, Monk, Rogue, and Summoner). These weren't too different from their base classes aside from rewordings to avoid abuse cases - which were extremely common in the case of the Summoner. In most cases, these were treated as little more than sidegrades with a RAW issue of blocking off all archetypes not explicitly written with them in mind.

The second are the actual variant classes:

  • Antipaladin - Variant Paladin to cover the spectrum of evil, being able to smite good and their Lay on Hands inflicting damage and debuffs.
  • Ninja - Variant Rogue with a ki pool from the Monk and capable of lifting other tricks as well. Replaces Trap Sense with more of a stealth focus.
  • Samurai - Variant Cavalier who loses Teamwork feats but becomes tougher to take down by sheer stubbornness.
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