What class for your main character in PoE?

I'm thinking of either orlan cipher, elf wizzard or human barbarian. I haven't made of my mind yet, but Orlans as a race and ciphers as a class intrest me most

Darn. I was looking forward to building something new, a Cypher. But if he is melee based, then may be not. If not, then my usual default first play class (a wizard).

I'll probably end up doing what Dart suggested and doing a ranged rogue. ^.^ I always tend to gravitate toward rogues anyway (or clerics…or some hybrid of the two). It sounds really fun right now.

This description of ciphers in PoE wiki made me decice to play cipher

A recent discovery in the Eastern Reach, ciphers were once called "brîshalgwin" ("mind hunters") by the Glanfathans. Ciphers have the ability to directly contact and manipulate another person's soul and psyche, using an ally's or enemy's essence as the focus for their magic. Though most ciphers are still found in the Eastern Reach, practitioners of the techniques have spread throughout the known world. They are gaining acceptance over time, but are generally distrusted, especially by the uneducated.

Ciphers are uncommon and often misunderstood individuals with extraordinary mental abilities. Like wizards and priests, they have many talents that draw directly from their souls, but ciphers have the unique ability to peer through the spiritual energy of the world to manipulate other souls. While wizards use complex formulae in large tomes and priests tap into the passion of their faith, ciphers are able to operate directly through the power of their minds… and yours

Something that gets up close and carves things from the inside out. I detest mages types for the most part, so certainly not that avenue. Probably something along the lines of a rogue-assassin type, and that will be, of course, after many patches before I even attempt to play this new game. Especially this one.

Originally Posted by Thrasher
Darn. I was looking forward to building something new, a Cypher. But if he is melee based, then may be not. If not, then my usual default first play class (a wizard).

They are not melee.

So dart was wrong when he said their skills were melee oriented?

That's what it seemed like based on character creation, but I haven't really researched it. I'm hoping to be wrong, as I'd love to have one in my party at range.

He might be saying that because in the BB, their default gear are melee weapons, but the class is not melee. Their Soul Whip works with ranged weapons (although I think there is a range limit) and most of their powers are ranged as well.

I played one with a pistol in the latest BB, I never saw him walk to a target to use a power.

I tried one and the powers I picked were close range - as in 10-15 meters (doesn't feel like a lot in this game), and I had to struggle to keep him at a safe distance. IIRC, he started out with a large sword as well - so I just assumed they were intended to be upfront in combat. Arhu seems to have the same impression, so I guess I'm not the only one confused.

I'm glad to learn that they're ranged, though.

Awesome! Thanks for the correction!

Note that I haven't played the beta, just read up a bit on the forums.

Some quotes from J.E. Sawyer in the cipher announcement thread. Granted they are from 2013, but I suppose the design still holds.

Originally Posted by J.E. Sawyer
We have three "full" caster classes that can avoid melee entirely if you choose to do so (wizard, priest, druid). [..] I designed the class to be distinctly different from the other casters in terms of managing their power resource. And again: ciphers do not have to enter melee to use Soul Whip.

Originally Posted by J.E. Sawyer
Their Focus mechanic [..] was inspired by the common A/D&D power point resource that a lot of psionics-oriented classes have and the melee flavor of the soulknife class.

So I understand that you don't have to enter melee if you use ranged weapons, but you still need to be relatively close in order to use your powers. Short ranged, essentially. Sounds good to me, actually.

I guess I'm just confused that they aren't "full" casters like druids, priests or wizards and basically need to use weapon attacks to charge their abilities. But I'm sure I'll warm up to the idea, just need to figure out which weapon would work for me.

I think I'll go back to my roots: an elven ranger with the biggest bow I can find. Though the new classes are tempting too.

I don't like creating the whole party so I'll pick up companions along the way for the banter and back stories. The fun is making things work with what you get.

Hmm, I wonder if could create a cypher-rogue hybrid? If he needs to be close range, sneaking in for the mind control would be nice.

Originally Posted by DArtagnan
I tried one and the powers I picked were close range - as in 10-15 meters (doesn't feel like a lot in this game), and I had to struggle to keep him at a safe distance.

15 meters is like the standard range for spells/powers regardless of class. It's also the range for ranged weapons (although, Josh said firearms were nerfed for release, hmm). The Cipher has a couple 20 meters range powers per level though.

Elven Ranger for me. So creative, I know!

I have a Human Sorcerer in NWN that I enjoy quite a bit, but I usually like to be an archer or "Aragorn-style" character. Legolas types are cool, too.

For people who can't decide how to name their characters.

One of Obsidian dev made a name generator.

And there is some example in the wiki.

It's suspiciously quiet around here. Are you buggers passing round review copies?

Originally Posted by Ripper
It's suspiciously quiet around here. Are you buggers passing round review copies?

I think half these asshats have played it/are playing it.

I'm only about 15 hours deep so far… No comment this time!