How to Design a Class That Feels Iconic from Session One | Wizards of Eem EP019

Ever wondered how to design a class that feels iconic from session one? In this episode of the Wizards of Eem Podcast, Ben Costa and James Parks pull back the curtain on TTRPG class design — how they build the classes for Land of Eem, the whimsical family-friendly tabletop RPG, and the principles you can steal for your own game.

It all starts with the class fantasy: the trope you're trying to capture, pulled from your favorite books, movies, and games. For Eem, Ben and James look to their own stories — Rickety Stitch is the Bard, Goo is the Loyal Chum — and they tackle the big question: what's the new twist? If your warrior plays just like a D&D warrior, why build it?

From there they get into ability design — frontloading signature abilities so you feel the class fantasy immediately (none of that waiting-until-7th-level-to-transform AD&D Druid nonsense), saving the narrow stuff for higher levels, and the real challenge of writing 20 distinct abilities with zero duds. Plus why playtesting is the secret ingredient, including how early Dungeoneer testers steered the class toward classic Indiana Jones-style adventuring.

The Land of Eem RPG is available now from Exalted Funeral and at Friendly Local Game Stores and online retailers. New here? Grab the free Quickstart Guide at landofeem.com. Want to shape the game? Join the Patreon, play the classes, and fill out the feedback forms.

Land of Eem is created by Ben Costa and James Parks.

PATREON CLASS FEEDBACK SURVEY:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfAl3ZzfflmmheZlaAoNPsGhoIRzpg3QOoyx0WhWWU4D1iPbw/viewform?usp=header

Rollin' Down the Road is featured in the Rickety Stitch Book 2: The Middle-Route Run by Ben Costa and James Parks.

The lyrics were written by Ben Costa and James Parks, and the song was written by musician Evin Wolverton.

Thank you for listening to the Wizards of Eem Podcast!