With the Monk class imminent, I can't help but feel none of the current Scout archetype characters "look the part"...

Given the wuxia nature of the class, the closest fit I can find in the current heroes would be Sahla, but unfortunately Sahla is a Healer archetype, and thus cannot take the Monk class *sigh*

Red Scorpion is a good fit aesthetically (and a Scout to boot!), but is not available through the Hero and Monster packs yet (although hopefully soon given that she is in an upcoming Runebound expansion).

Does this irk anyone else?

Well, Tinashi is a monk .

http://descent2e.wikia.com/wiki/Tinashi_the_Wanderer

If you take a more ocidental approach, and not the "oriental martial artist" approach, most of the scouts can fit in the archtype, like Grey Ker or Theterys.

Well, Tinashi is a monk .

http://descent2e.wikia.com/wiki/Tinashi_the_Wanderer

Woah mind = blown(!)

I need to read more of the background info for the heroes!

Yeah, the Monk being Scout-to-Healer really bums me, in all honesty, from a thematic perspective. I would've expect it to be a Healer-to-Warrior or Healer-to-Scout class; not that it'd make the available choices any better. I always wanted there to be a way for Scouts to be Bards, but being a Monk.. as a Bard.. that's just.. weird. Monk only really works thematically (I feel, at least) with Spiritseeker and Disciple. Prophet, Bard and Apothecary doesn't feel appropriate, and would only be choices for cheese (Tomble Burrowell as a Monk with Bard, comes to mind. All kinds of wtf, but a powerful combo).

The introduction of a questionable multiclass system is especially annoying since the game is still effectively missing 1 Healer and 1 Mage class. Now they've opened the door for a total of 12 new hybrids (3 per class) and if they don't go the full 12, it's going to feel unfinished and unpolished. Suddenly the game feels like it's missing 10 classes instead of 2 (the further 8 hybrids and still 2 normal classes).

If hybrid classes were to be introduced, they should've been introduced in a major expansion, with accompanying new heroes, just like all the other classes, and The Chains that Rust should've instead have given us two undead-focused heroes, with two appropriate new classes of the healer and mage type (Priest and Pyromancer?). They could've then gone on to keep making hybrid classes, with accompanying heroes, until the full 12 had been finished.

Well, Tinashi is a monk .
http://descent2e.wikia.com/wiki/Tinashi_the_Wanderer

If you take a more ocidental approach, and not the "oriental martial artist" approach, most of the scouts can fit in the archtype, like Grey Ker or Theterys.

While true, she's an axe monk, not the punching-monk the class lends itself to. But you are technically correct; the best kind of correct.

Although I like the idea of the hybrid classes very much, I have to agree with Luckman that the current state feels incomplete with another healer and mage class missing. I hope we get those two in the end.

In addition to that, I would have been cool to have at least a few heroes available which could fit the new classes thematically as well, but since the concept is new and FFG is kind of 'recycling' the heroes from Descent 1, we cannot expect that. They would have to create new heroes. But then, we would be drowning in heroes, so it would make sense to cut old ones. But just imagine the outcry that would cause.

Nevertheless, I have great expectations for the new hybrids since this system is basically and expansion of expansions and completely new instead of adding just 'more of the same'.

Regarding the thematic question: maybe we should try to think outside of the box (or the stereotype). What does it mean for an Orc to be a monk? Or an elf? Is an orkish monk something like a shaman? An elfish monk a druid?

So for Humans I'd choose Red Scorpion, Grey Ker

Orks: Tinashi the Wanderer, Kirga (?), Elder Mok is a healer already.

Elves ('druids??'): Arvel Worldwalker, Roganna the Shade

Dwarfes: Augur Grimsom is a Healer already.

But maybe a druid would be more a scout/mage crossover.

[...]

Regarding the thematic question: maybe we should try to think outside of the box (or the stereotype). What does it mean for an Orc to be a monk? Or an elf? Is an orkish monk something like a shaman? An elfish monk a druid?

So for Humans I'd choose Red Scorpion, Grey Ker

Orks: Tinashi the Wanderer, Kirga (?), Elder Mok is a healer already.

Elves ('druids??'): Arvel Worldwalker, Roganna the Shade

Dwarfes: Augur Grimsom is a Healer already.

Red Scorpion and Kirga are both Conversion Kit, so I could never count those. Like you say, Elder Mok is already a healer. I'd have a hard time envisioning Arvel Worldwalker as a Monk, given her very archer-y bow-y nature, although with her grotesque new figure, I guess you could argue that at least the model just happens to have a misshapen stick, not a bow.

And I just realized that aside from Raythen (which I'd have a hard time playing as anything other than a Thief or Treasure Hunter) there's really not a single dwarf Scout. Man, humans and elves are really overrepresentated in this game. There needs to be more dwarves.

So to me, we're really done to just Grey Ker, Tinashi the Wanderer, and Roganna the Shade, and I think the latter two are "Alright, if it has to be"-level, not.. truly fitting.

Grey Ker is a pretty good fit, though, I guess. Feels like it could be a pretty good combo, too.

But maybe a druid would be more a scout/mage crossover.

I was actually thinking Mage-to-Healer or Healer-to-Mage, for Druid.

Shaman I'd expect to be Healer-to-Scout or Healer-to-Warrior.

Paladin could be Warrior-to-Healer or Healer-to-Warrior.

I'm still pretty bummed out about Scout-to-Healer being a freakin' Monk, though. Other way around, maybe , but dammit. Crushing my dreams for a good Scout-to-Bard.

Edit: Seriously, the word dam-n is censored on the boards? Isn't this getting.. very out-of-hand? I remember when not a single word seemed to be banned on the site, once upon a time.

Yeah, I get what you mean. I can't see where the scout aspect goes into the monk either. Maybe it is the agility-type hero and they wanted to keep 'em as a healer.

As for the druid: my thought was that a druid is essentially a tree-hugging mage . Together with a geomancer, it would be purely nature-based.

So Ronan of the Wild or Vyrah the Falconer would fit okay.

On the other hand, they would make good models for a Scout/Warrior class as well. (Beastmaster?)

But lets postpone this discussion until we know the other hybrid classes. Too much speculation at this point and I'm are drifting off.

Chaoticus, you were saying?

Now we know how the mages will be able to use runes and warrior "melee" weapon skills. The runes will be melee weapons. I like the look of these hybrid classes a lot.

Chaoticus, you were saying?

Now we know how the mages will be able to use runes and warrior "melee" weapon skills. The runes will be melee weapons. I like the look of these hybrid classes a lot.

There it is. I swear I've been checking the news almost hourly for the last three days seeing if there'd be an update. Thanks a lot, Zaltyre.

So we have:

Monk as Scout-to-Healer.

Battlemage as Mage-to-Warrior.

Steelcaster as Warrior-to-Mage.

And an unknown third hybrid, called Watchman.

Dare we presume that it'll be Healer-to-Scout?

Edit: I must say, however, that I enjoy the more generic nature of the Battlemage and Steelcaster hybrids. They potentially fit with many more heroes, although I think they feel a tiny bit off (Steelcaster feels like something a Mage would be as a Warrior, and Battlemage sounds a lot more like a Warrior that's being a Mage, but this is extremely minor).

Syndrael would make a cool Steelcaster Runemaster, Nara the Fang a nice Steelcaster Hexer, and as odd as it sounds, a Corbin Steelcaster Geomancer might not be that weird. He looks like he's made out of stone.

For Battlemages, there's ample choices. Shiver as a Battlemage Champion or Berserker, Jaes the Exile as a Battlemage Champion or Knight (and pray for Runeplate), Dezra the Vile as a Battlemage Skirmisher.

Note that I took no regard for what's actually powerful or good combinations, just what I'd personally consider vaguely feeling thematic.

If the eventual Scout-to-Mage class isn't an Arcane Archer, I'm going to stop playing the game.

Dare we presume that it'll be Scout-to-Healer?

Do you mean Healer-to Scout? Because that would be my guess, not a Monk duplicate.

Common guys, use a little of imagination !!!

Monk + apothecary = drunken style shaolin monk, or just a brewmaster monk

Monk + disciple = fervorous religious monk, martyr, cleric, medieval clergy type monk.

Monk + prophet = dervish monks

Do not get so tied up in the aspect bare hands aspect ( unfortunately it's just only one skill and not a new combat style).

Back to the topic, I like the hybrid class system, open a great array of combinations but I want to see a true multi class system: paladin class - can picked by warriors and healers archetypes, druid, can picked by healers and mages archtypes and so on.

Oooooo new preview finally. So, they choise two-way rout, interesting ... Probably we will see more two expansions with more combinations:P

Love this and surpassed my expectations.

Steelcaster + necromancer = death knight FTW !!!

Dare we presume that it'll be Scout-to-Healer?

Do you mean Healer-to Scout? Because that would be my guess, not a Monk duplicate.

More like set in the stone

"If the eventual Scout-to-Mage class isn't an Arcane Archer, I'm going to stop playing the game"

Don't go Luckmann ;( - it's called watchman

Dare we presume that it'll be Scout-to-Healer?

Do you mean Healer-to Scout? Because that would be my guess, not a Monk duplicate.

Ah, yes, yes I did, sorry.

"If the eventual Scout-to-Mage class isn't an Arcane Archer, I'm going to stop playing the game"

Don't go look Luckmann ;( - it's called watchman

Nah, I would be shocked (and somewhat appalled) if the Watchman wasn't Healer-to-Something. My bet is still on Healer-to-Scout, but it could theoretically be anything. Scouts getting two hybrids and healers getting none is something I consider completely out of the question, though. It's just not going to happen.

Dare we presume that it'll be Scout-to-Healer?

Do you mean Healer-to Scout? Because that would be my guess, not a Monk duplicate.

Ah, yes, yes I did, sorry.

"If the eventual Scout-to-Mage class isn't an Arcane Archer, I'm going to stop playing the game"

Don't go look Luckmann ;( - it's called watchman

Nah, I would be shocked (and somewhat appalled) if the Watchman wasn't Healer-to-Something. My bet is still on Healer-to-Scout, but it could theoretically be anything. Scouts getting two hybrids and healers getting none is something I consider completely out of the question, though. It's just not going to happen.

I blame my tablet. I mean: Dont go Luckmann ;( and not dont look hahahaha.

Hi,

@Luckmann

Stellcaster-Hexer would not work. Because the ability to deal hex markers is a zero exp cost card. I dont know, if the hybrid classes get the zero exp cost card as well.

Greetings

Hi,

@Luckmann

Stellcaster-Hexer would not work. Because the ability to deal hex markers is a zero exp cost card. I dont know, if the hybrid classes get the zero exp cost card as well.

Greetings

They do. If I were a steelcaster/hexer I would start with the 0XP steelcaster card (which allows me to pick a mage deck) and so I would also have the 0XP card of the mage deck I picked. When buying cards, I can buy any steelcaster cards or any cards from that mage deck except the 3XP mage cards.

Hi,

ok, thanks for the clarification.

Greetings H

Like Zaltyre said.

Restricting the use of 0xp cards wouldn't make sense, since it means that practically any class that makes use of any form of unique mechanic or unique tokens (Conjurer, Geomancer, Hexer, Necromancer, Shadow Walker, Stalker, Apothecary, Bard, and probably several more) would never be able to be used for hybridization. Their base mechanics are usually introduced by or dependant on the starting card(s).

Like Zaltyre said.

Restricting the use of 0xp cards wouldn't make sense, since it means that practically any class that makes use of any form of unique mechanic or unique tokens (Conjurer, Geomancer, Hexer, Necromancer, Shadow Walker, Stalker, Apothecary, Bard, and probably several more) would never be able to be used for hybridization. Their base mechanics are usually introduced by or dependant on the starting card(s).

The shadow walker would still be able to use the shadow soul if (god forbid) they ruled out the 0 xp abilities) since the class has a 1 xp ability to summon the shadow soul. IN this case however, the class would lose a lot of its flexibility, since the shadow walker advantage (in my mind, at least) is that you can reliably summon the shadow soul within 3 for free.. or you can place it anywhere you can make an attack connect. (adjacent to the monster you hit, not adjacent to the tile square you targeted!!!)

So trade in that axe for a good bow and fire away, my friend, fire away!