I kind of always liked the way Dragonlance dealt with wizards. This class in particular, you weren't a 'True' Wizard until you took the 'Test' which happened at 5th level. Before that you were an apprentice.
I am not saying that should be the case with all classes, but absolutely there are synergies that can be drawn. If you are a thief, you are only a street urchin until you prove yourself to the guild. If you are a fighter, you are little more than a page or squire until you reach sufficient level to prove your worth and valor. Even Sturm didn't consider himself a "Knight" until he had proven himself sufficiently in the eyes of his order.
I think in this we would have a whole lot less random one off levels just to grab a specific ability and it would represent a true dedication to a given profession necessary to be great. But more than that (and just to push the College metaphor a bit more), you would lend some real world experience to a chosen class in order to be considered merely one of the club. You "could" jump classes before that point but then you wouldn't be considered a "True" member of that profession. One level of Wizard doesn't allow you access to the annual Wizard's convention.
There is a parallel in this TV show called 'Suits'. Lawyers who graduate aren't lawyers proper until their internship is over. They aren't Lawyers, they are 1st year or 4th year associates. What this means is that you are still a journeyman apprentice until you have cut your teeth on real world applications. Doctors also have to go through an apprenticeship. It just makes sense to me.
The one kit I've always had a problem with is the Kensai. Mainly because it's an Oriental Adventures kit best suited for a Kara-Tur campaign. The other kits seem logical enough for West Faerun. Maybe I wouldn't be so hard on it if they had introduced the Wu Jen for mages, Shukenja for priests, Samurai for rangers, etc... just to prevent it from sticking out.
I'm also not a fan of the Totemic Druid if only because of the title. Most of the 2ed Druid kits are pretty unimaginative like the Jungle Druid, Swamp Druid, etc... It looks silly up against the Avenger and Shapeshifter. Would have preferred it being replaced by the Shaman which does pretty much the exact same thing.
They also should have either ditched the Barbarian or Berserker. Having both seems a tad redundant.
Comments
I am not saying that should be the case with all classes, but absolutely there are synergies that can be drawn. If you are a thief, you are only a street urchin until you prove yourself to the guild. If you are a fighter, you are little more than a page or squire until you reach sufficient level to prove your worth and valor. Even Sturm didn't consider himself a "Knight" until he had proven himself sufficiently in the eyes of his order.
I think in this we would have a whole lot less random one off levels just to grab a specific ability and it would represent a true dedication to a given profession necessary to be great. But more than that (and just to push the College metaphor a bit more), you would lend some real world experience to a chosen class in order to be considered merely one of the club. You "could" jump classes before that point but then you wouldn't be considered a "True" member of that profession. One level of Wizard doesn't allow you access to the annual Wizard's convention.
There is a parallel in this TV show called 'Suits'. Lawyers who graduate aren't lawyers proper until their internship is over. They aren't Lawyers, they are 1st year or 4th year associates. What this means is that you are still a journeyman apprentice until you have cut your teeth on real world applications. Doctors also have to go through an apprenticeship. It just makes sense to me.
I'm also not a fan of the Totemic Druid if only because of the title. Most of the 2ed Druid kits are pretty unimaginative like the Jungle Druid, Swamp Druid, etc... It looks silly up against the Avenger and Shapeshifter. Would have preferred it being replaced by the Shaman which does pretty much the exact same thing.
They also should have either ditched the Barbarian or Berserker. Having both seems a tad redundant.
Same goes for any other class/kit.