Editing Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition (section)

====Themes====
'''Themes''' are a mechanic added late in 4e's lifecycle with the release of the 4e version of [[Dark Sun]]. In basic concept, they can be likened to AD&D's [[kits]] or 5e's backgrounds; they're a defining character background element that is taken as an option at character creation, granting options based on the Theme chosen - sort of a Heroic tier version of the [[Paragon Path]] or [[Epic Destiny]]. The idea spun out of early experiments in "prestige classes" for D&D 4e, with things like the feat-based [[dhampyr]] race and the [[multiclassing]] based Spellscarred "motif".

In fact, themes underwent a revision, so there are two distinct mechanical styles. 

The first version debuted in the 4e Dark Sun Campaign Setting slatbook; this version provides the player with a bonus theme-based Encounter Attack power, and the option to take theme attack and utility powers, which contained built-in "upgraded" versions to replace them at higher tiers. Dark Sun "subclass themes" consist of the following:
* Athasian Minstrel
* Dune Trader
* Elemental Priest
* Gladiator
* Noble Adept
* Primal Guardian
* Templar
* Veiled Alliance
* Wasteland Nomad
* Wilder
* Escaped Slave (Dragon #390, the others appeared in the DSCS splatbook)

The second version debuted in the [[Neverwinter]] Campaign Setting, a post-Essentials "subsetting" for the [[Forgotten Realms]], and this is the version that became the default. "Neverwinter Style" themes grant the player a bonus Encounter Utility power, as well as new class features at levels 5 and 10, and an assortment of Heroic tier Encounter and Utility powers they can decide to take. This version of the theme appeared in both the aforementioned splatbook and in the subsequent Player's Option trilogy (or, at least, the [[Elemental Chaos]] and [[Feywild]] ones; they were absent from the Heroes of Shadow book), the Dungeon Survival Handbook, and the [[Book of Vile Darkness]]; it was the pages of [[Dragon Magazine]] that truly filled out the ranks of the themes.

'''Neverwinter Campaign Setting Themes:'''
* Neverwinter Noble
* Oghma's Faithful
* Harper Agent
* Dead Rat Deserter
* Iliyanbruen Guardian
* Pack Outcast
* Heir of Delzoun
* Renegade Red Wizard
* Scion of Shadow
* Devil's Pawn
* Spellscarred Harbinger
* Bregan D'aerthe Spy

'''Dungeon Survival Handbook Themes:'''
* Bloodsworn
* Deep Delver
* Escaped Thrall
* Trapsmith
* Treasure Hunter
* Underdark Envoy
* Underdark Outcast

'''Book of Vile Darkness Themes:'''
* Cultist
* Disgraced Noble
* Infernal Slave
* Reaver
* Vile Scholar

'''Players Option: Heroes of The Feywild Themes:'''
* Fey Beast Tamer
* Sidhe Lord
* Tuathan
* Unseelie Agent

'''Players Option: Heroes of The Elemental Chaos Themes:'''
* Demon Spawn
* Earthforger
* Elemental Initiate
* Friecrafter
* Ironwrought
* Jannissary
* Moteborn
* Primordial Adept
* Watershaper
* Windlord

'''Dragon Magazine Themes:'''
* Alchemist (#399)
* Animal Master (#399)
* Order Adept (#399)
* Wizard's Apprentice (#399)
* Ordained Priest (#399)
* Scholar (#399)
* Seer (#399)
* Chevalier (#399)
* Guardian (#399)
* Hospitaler (#399)
* Noble (#399)
* Explorer (#399)
* Guttersnipe (#399)
* Mercenary (#399)
* Outlaw (#399)
* Student of Evard (#400)
* Gloomwrought Emissary (#400)
* Iron Wolf Warrior (#400)
* Fatedancer (#401)
* Son of Alagondar (#402)
* Seeker of Illefarn (#402)
* Hordelands Nomad (#404)
* Sohei (#404)
* Samurai (#404)
* Yakuza (#404)
* Wild Hunt Rider (#405)
* Oracle of the Evil Eye (#405)
* Sariofal Feywarden (#405)
* Callidyrr Dragoon (#405)
* Black-Hearted Knave (#406)
* Infernal Prince (#406)
* White Horn Knight (#406)
* Moon Hunter (#406)
* Soaring Rake (#406)
* Purple Dragon (#407)
* Cormyrian Battle Mage (#407)
* Sentinel Marshal (#407)
* Brazen Ambassador (#408)
* Chaosmade (#408)
* Stormraider (#408)
* Blackstaff Apprentice (#409)
* Halaster's Clone (#409)
* Masked Lord (#409)
* Werebear (#410)
* Wererat (#410)
* Werewolf (#410)
* Mariner (#412)
* Bregan D'Aerthe Mercenary (#413)
* Elderboy (#413)
* Melee-Magthere Champion (#413)
* Sorcere Adept (#413)
* Drow House Priestess (#413)
* Widow of Arach-Tinilith (#413)
* Ooze Master (#413)
* Secret Apostate (#413)
* Skulker of Vhaeraun (#413)
* [[Transcendent Order|Cipher]] (#414)
* [[Society of Sensation|Sensate]] (#414)
* [[Xaositect]] (#414)
* Misshapen (#416)
* Haunted Blade (#416)
* Beguiler (#420)
* Occultist (#420)
* Ghost (#420)
* Inquisitive (#426)
* Courtier (#426)
* Spy (#426)
* Vigilante (#426)
* Ghost of the Past (#430)
* River Rat (#430)