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It is important to note that, with respect to classes, these balance levels are not intended to represent the pinnacle of a class, nor its minimum. They are intended to represent an average member of the class, one who avoids trap options and builds a competent member of their class. You can certainly play some of these classes at a lower balance level by intentionally choosing weaker options, and you can occasionally play some of these classes at a higher level by using tricks and optimizing. Attempting to categorize every build of every character is simply impossible, and we go with a more general approach here.}}This level is named for the [[SRD:Monk|Monk]], who is widely considered to be the weakest of all the core classes. It has extensive multiple attribute dependency and needs to boost several attributes to remain competitive with other classes. It has a slower progression in areas it is supposed to remain competent in than other classes. It has class abilities that counter-synergize with its intended role in the party. It gains significant class features many levels after other classes and monsters have gained them, when the feature is less relevant. Sometimes these class features come with extensive restrictions that keep them from becoming a more useful ability. These facets are common among monk level classes. Monk level material, therefore, is material that does not synergize well with other abilities, offers abilities that are well below those seen by higher powered classes and most monsters for the level they are granted at, progresses substantially more slowly than other classes and the monsters, or offers a small or extremely circumstantial bonus. It also contains most material that is almost entirely fluff, only granting extremely minor benefits.
Material in this category will remain competitive with fighter level material up to level 9 and with warblade rogue and wizard level material, as well as appropriate CR monsters, up to level 5. Additional levels may be possible with extensive optimization, but after these points the higher category content will likely begin to pull away.
'''Note:''' This is the lowest level of balance we support on this wiki, as anything with less power basically doesn't play using the same rules. We do not allow any level of balance lower than Monk-level on the wiki, and anything weaker than the core monk may be deleted per wiki policy.
* Healer<ref name="miniatures handbook">[[Publication:Miniatures Handbook|Miniatures Handbook]]</ref>
* [[SRD:Ranger|Ranger]] (TWF builds)
* Samurai<ref name="complete warrior">[[Publication:Complete Warrior|Complete Warrior]]</ref> (TWF builds)
* [[SRD:Soulknife|Soulknife]]
This level is named for the [[SRD:Fighter|core Fighter]], who is an extremely competent combatant for the majority of the early game. It has sufficient progression in important areas to maintain its intended role, but lacks significant class features. It gains sufficient feats to keep abilities fresh and its tricks level appropriate for a time, but eventually begins to fall behind monsters who simply acquire new abilities faster than the fighter can. This level is often restricted in range as well, often being melee only or gaining no significant ranged abilities. Similar things will be seen in other fighter level classes. Fighter level material, therefore, is material that is likely competent at low and mid levels against equal CR creatures, is likely sparse in places, and obtains powers that fail to keep up with equal CR opposition or allow them to compete at higher CR encounter ranges.
Material in this category will remain competitive with warblade rogue level material and appropriate CR monsters up to around level 9, and it will be passed up by wizard level material earlier than that. Additional competitive levels may be possible with extensive optimization, but after these points the higher category content will likely begin to pull away. It is worth noting that many higher CR monsters can still be used in games at this level simply by not making use of all of their abilities. Ranged monsters or spell casters that close to melee to utilize their shiny weapons and allow the melee based fighters to close and strike them
The high end of this balance point includes the chain tripper Fighter and "blaster" wizards who favor direct damage spells. A Spirited Charger Fighter, whose primary goal in life is to wield a lance and use [[SRD:Spirited Charge|Spirited Charge]], who has a ''very'' careful magic item selection is fairly competitive, if boring, against monsters at all levels of the game. A character optimized in such a way is more likely playing at a low warblade rogue level than a fighter one.
Other classes and prestige classes, published by Wizards of the Coast, that can be considered around the Fighter level of balance include:
For a complete list of articles on this wiki that use the Fighter Level of balance, [[Special:SearchByProperty/Balance-20Point/Fighter|click here]].
===Warblade Rogue Level===This level of balance is named for the warblade<ref name="tome of battle" />[[SRD:Rogue|Rogue]], a class that can perform quite well with the right tricks. Like the fighter, it has sufficient progression in the areas it is intended to cover, but it also gains significant class features which allow them to compete on a roughly even footing with enemies of most CRs. Warblades Rogues also have utility abilities which allow them to adjust or influence the narrative of the game, and these abilities do not come at the cost of their combat ability. Material at the Warblade rogue level is therefore material that is competent against all CRs, grants significant and timely abilities to deal with equal CR creatures, offers significant and level-appropriate utility, or scales to match creatures in some important aspect. This is not to say that they have abilities against every potential threat, since they may still excel at certain types of encounters and do poorly at others.
Material in this category can remain competitive against appropriate CR monsters over all levels of the game, and can generally be optimized for play with unoptimized wizard level content. It should be said that warblade rogue level material only really stays warblade rogue level material if it is played to its strengths, however, and classes at this level that select lower powered abilities or fail to make use of their abilities can quite easily perform at a lower balance level. A two-single weapon fighting warblade rogue who relies on full attacks without using any maneuvers that increase his damage flanking for their sneak attack is likely playing the game at a fighter level, for example. On the other hand, a warblade two-handed flask throwing rogue who takes advantage gets sneak attack all of their maneuvers the time without flanking and feats to deal makes substantial use of Use Magic Device while carrying a large amount assortment of damage wands is likely playing the game at a high Warblade low wizard level.
This level of balance can also be called [[Project:Same Game Test]] level, as the warblade Rogue corresponds to an approximately 50/50 matchup on that balance guideline.
Other classes and prestige classes, published by Wizards of the Coast, that can be considered around the Warblade Rogue level of balance include:
* [[SRD:Bard|Bard]]
* Crusader<ref name="tome of battle">[[Publication:Tome of Battle|Tome of Battle]]</ref>
* Warlock<ref name="complete arcane" />
Some feats, published by Wizards of the Coast, that can be considered around the Warblade Rogue level of balance include:
* Combat Brute<ref name="complete warrior" />
* Leap Attack<ref name="complete adventurer">[[Publication:Complete Adventurer|Complete Adventurer]]</ref>
* Stormguard Warrior<ref name="tome of battle" />
For a complete list of articles on this wiki that use the Warblade Rogue Level of balance, [[Special:SearchByProperty/Balance-20Point/WarbladeRogue|click here]].
===Wizard Level===
