Variant Class
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]
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 |
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.