Todd Kenreck: What class would Marvel characters have in D&D? I talked to Jim Zub, the writer for The Avengers, and the D&D comics, about just that.
Jim Zub: I mean, Thor is obviously barbarian, right? If you're talking about Avengers as D&D characters, Scarlet Witch is more of a sorceress, because it's instinctive magic. Like, she is less trained in the mystic arts than someone like Brother Voodoo. Brother Voodoo is someone who has learned more formal magics, but he's also kind of calling upon spirits and other beings for power. So maybe he's more of a warlock, now that I think about it. Captain America's your paladin, of course. One of the things I like about him, though, is that he's so inspiring. He's one of the hardest characters to write, because you don't want to dip into corniness. You want it to always sound rich and true. That he's a genuinely leader character. He's a charismatic, capable, orator, and someone who brings inspiration to others. He's, like, the purest, best kind of paladin. Rather than being that, I think the cliché, of the stuck up knight who can't get out of his own alignment. I think Cap's just the best of us. So writing that sometimes can be a little weird, because you're like, I need to be so idealistic, but not so lofty that it feels unrealistic, if that makes sense.
I mean, Hawkeye's a rogue, right? Even more than a ranger, I think he's more of a rogue. So is Black Widow, now that I think about it. Yeah. I mean, Black Widow's gotta be, she's an amazing rogue, assassin, whatever you want to call it on that front. Using people, both in terms of her physical capabilities, but also her manipulative capabilities as a spy. That's some classic stuff right there. The Hulk's sort of tough, right? Yeah, he's sort of a barbarian with a curse. He's got like some, lycanthropy equivalent driving him into mad rages of barbaric rage that he cannot contain. Loki's an actual, like statistically in D&D he'd be a devil, giving you deals that you will regret at some future in time.
Even if you think you know the wording and you understand the curse that you're taking on, you don't. He's always wrapped it in four other levels of manipulation. Or that little extra tidbit that you just misinterpreted. Yeah, he's a devil with a contract. That's what makes him so ... But not just like a grotesque dripping skeleton bones, or creepy thing. He's utterly charismatic. I think the best thing about those kinds of characters is that what they have to say and what they offer you has to seem utterly reasonable. Like it is, it is the best choice in the moment. It can't just be like, here's clearly signing your soul away. Well duh, I'm not gonna do that.
It always has to be ... No, believe it or not, this is the lesser of evils. And by doing this you're saving more people, and everything's gonna be great. So you have to be pulled into it naturally, you can't just be a fool, you know? That's what's really scary about those kinds of characters. If they have that real powerful charisma and ability to corrupt, it's because they're doing it with a smile, and you're willing doing it. You're not being pulled into it. You're choosing. Yeah, it's some fun stuff. Everything gets filtered through D&D man.
Todd Kenreck: Thank you, Jim Zub, for being on D&D Beyond. We'll have a whole lot more of that interview with Jim coming up soon. I'm Todd Kenreck, thank you for watching.
Who thought Thor would be a cleric or a warlock since he draws power from his hammer which was made by his dad who was a god?
In Norse myth, DWARVES made Mjolnir. I'd say Thor is a Barbarian (path of the storm herald)/Cleric (tempest domain) multiclasser. Or maybe an eldritch knight so he can call his hammer back to him. He is NOT a warlock. Neither is Scarlet Witch (someone brought that up earlier). She does not have a pact with HYDRA. She is totally a sorcerer (wild magic). Going off the comics, she would be a Mystic (Order of the Awakened)/Wizard (School of Evocation).
ya think
Is no one gonna mention that Thor should be a tempest cleric?? I mean their whole thing is about storms and can eventually fly!! I feel like that makes the most sense for him.
Spider-Man is definitely a Rogue (Swashbuckler)/Artificer (Artillerist) with either the Folk Hero background or the Sage background
I would think that Captain Marvel would be some sort of Sorcerer, but I have no idea which subclass... possibly Divine Soul? With a bit of flavoring with the wings and all I think it could be managed... and if you're fine with a little change from the original, you could make Carol a sailor instead of a pilot, and she would fit the Sailor background perfectly. AND if you want carbon copy, you may be able to convince your DM (if they're cool with it anyways) to let you exchange the proficiency in sea vehicles with a proficiency in air vehicles, do Sailor is still on the table.
Vision would probably be a mystic, due to his indomitable psionic abilities. As to what subclass, he's likely a Mystic (Order of the Awakened). A custom background is likely necessary for playing as Vision, and his race would fit with Warforged pretty well. I would think that he would fit the Skirmisher subrace pretty well, but Envoy may work as well. For extra flavor and coolness factor, try searching for a Circlet of Blasting as you adventure, then asking if you could get an artificer in the area to integrate it onto your body. Hard to do and presumably expensive, but a cool little side quest to do during downtime.
Falcon would certainly be a Fighter (Battlemaster)/Rogue (Swashbuckler) (Swashbuckler for high maneuverability), with the City Worker background (going off the comics). As with Vision, a Cloak of the Bat would do wonders for both flavoring and coolness, allowing for flight exactly like how Falcon flies in the MCU.
Groot would not be a druid, as he can't shape-shift. For more nature themed abilities but no wildshape, Ranger (Primeval Guardian) would be more fitting. In addition, he would probably be a Fighter (Champion), as he is a warrior more focused on power and brute strength, and less so on advanced battle tactics. So, he'd be a Ranger (Primeval Guardian)/Fighter (Champion) with the Outlander background, as he is supposedly the only survivor of his race.
I disagree, I think Hawkeye is a multiclass with one more level in ranger than in rouge.