SpiralWorlds Player’s Manual · Character Creation
Choose Your Class
5.5e / 2024 · Pathfinder 1e · D&D 3.5e
Your class is the rules package that describes what your character can reliably do under pressure. Choose the class that supports the actions you want to take in play, then use that class page’s section for your campaign edition only.
Choose by playstyle
What do you want to do when play becomes dangerous?
For a first character: choose a class because its normal turn sounds enjoyable, not because its title sounds impressive. If you want the most direct martial starting point, Fighter is usually the easiest place to begin.
Edition procedure
Record the correct class rules
D&D 5.5e / 2024
In the 2024 rules, class is the first major character-creation choice. The twelve core classes are Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlock and Wizard.
When you choose the class: write the class and starting level on the sheet, note the class’s Hit Die, armour training, weapon proficiencies, saving-throw proficiencies, skill choices and the level-1 features or choices the class gives you. Then continue to Origin and Ability Scores; you will return to the class while filling in the final character details.
| Class | Primary ability | Good first choice if you want… |
|---|---|---|
| Barbarian | Strength | Durability, Rage and forceful melee combat. |
| Bard | Charisma | Skills, support, social play and flexible magic. |
| Cleric | Wisdom | Divine magic, support and resilient spellcasting. |
| Druid | Wisdom | Nature magic, transformation and battlefield control. |
| Fighter | Strength or Dexterity | Weapons, armour and straightforward martial mastery. |
| Monk | Dexterity and Wisdom | Mobility, disciplined unarmed combat and precision. |
| Paladin | Strength and Charisma | Armoured combat, healing, divine magic and an oath. |
| Ranger | Dexterity and Wisdom | Weapons, exploration, tracking and nature magic. |
| Rogue | Dexterity | Expertise, stealth, mobility and precise attacks. |
| Sorcerer | Charisma | Innate arcane power and focused spellcasting. |
| Warlock | Charisma | Pact magic and strongly customisable supernatural abilities. |
| Wizard | Intelligence | Learned magic and the broadest emphasis on spell study. |
Pathfinder 1e
Choose a Pathfinder class and use its PF1e rules only. Record Hit Die, base attack progression, saving throws, class skills, skill ranks, weapon and armour proficiencies and all 1st-level class features.
Pathfinder also asks you to choose a favored class, normally the class you take at 1st level. Each level taken in that favored class can grant the Pathfinder favored-class benefit used by your campaign.
D&D 3.5e
Choose a D&D 3.5e class and record its Hit Die, base attack bonus progression, Fortitude/Reflex/Will save progressions, class skills, skill points, proficiencies and 1st-level class features.
Use the 3.5e version of the class. Pathfinder classes often look similar but include changed skills, features, progressions and terminology, so PF1e mechanics are not a substitute for 3.5e mechanics.
Class directory
Open the class you want to play
These are the class destinations currently exposed through SpiralWorlds Player Resources. The individual class page is where progression, features, equipment and spellcasting details belong; this gateway helps you choose rather than duplicating those rules.
Artificer
Craft, devices, tools and magical invention. Check the class page for the edition supported by your campaign.
Cleric
Divine spellcaster whose power is tied to active service, sacred practice and supernatural authority.
Druid
Nature-focused spellcaster using transformation, healing and control of the living world.
Sorcerer
Innate magical power shaped by bloodline, transformation or supernatural inheritance.
Witch
Ritual and patron-linked magic built around a distinct magical tradition. Use only the edition section approved for the campaign.
Wizard
Learned arcane magic developed through study, notation, teaching and experimentation.
Class in the setting
Decide what the class looks like in this person’s life
Optional rule
Multiclass only when the concept needs it
A first-time player does not need to multiclass. A single class already provides a complete progression and is usually easier to learn.
2024 multiclassing lets you take a level in another class when you gain a level. You must normally have at least 13 in the primary ability of both the class you already have and the class you are entering. Proficiency Bonus uses total character level, while class features use levels in the relevant class.
Pathfinder 1e multiclassing combines levels from different classes, but class features remain tied to levels in each class. Favored-class benefits and prestige-class prerequisites also matter. Use PF1e rules only.
D&D 3.5e multiclassing uses the 3.5e rules for class levels, experience and prestige-class prerequisites. Do not import Pathfinder favored-class rules or later 5.5e proficiency rules.
Before moving on
Class checklist
- The campaign edition is fixed.
- A class has been chosen because its normal playstyle fits the character.
- Only the selected edition’s class mechanics have been used.
- Starting level is recorded.
- Hit Die or starting HP basis is identified.
- Armour and weapon proficiencies/training are recorded.
- Saving-throw proficiencies or save progressions are recorded for the edition.
- Skill choices, class skills or skill points are identified as appropriate.
- All level-1 class features and required choices are recorded.
- Spellcasting ability and starting spell procedure are identified if the class casts spells.
- The class has an in-world training source, profession or social explanation.
- The next character-creation step is clear.
Sources and licensing
Rules sources
- D&D 2024 Basic Rules — Creating a Character
- D&D 2024 Basic Rules — Character Classes
- System Reference Document 5.2.1
- Pathfinder 1e — Classes
- d20 SRD — D&D 3.5e Classes
SRD 5.2.1 attribution: This work includes material from the System Reference Document 5.2.1 by Wizards of the Coast LLC, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International.
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