Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 soci0tard Oct 20, 2008 3:26:40	1) "Lazer Clerics" (Clerics with the Ranger Multiclass) are popular enough to have earned their own slang term on these boards. If Leader characters that use ranged attacks are popular, has anybody tried to make a "one stop shopping" class for it? 2) If that hasn't been done, why? Would that be unbalancing, for some reason? I like the Warlord class, but I'm in the mood to play an archer. Some of the Warlord powers are clearly incompatible with ranged weapons as a matter of special effects and common sense (like Furious Smash or Guarding Attack). Others seem like they could apply to ranged weapons just by changing "Strength" to "Dexterity". Anyway, I tried doing a search for such a class, but didn't see one. I'd like to play a Leader who uses mainly ranged attacks. I prefer "martial" characters over "divine" or "arcane" characters. Thoughts?
#2 Xeviat-DM Oct 20, 2008 4:46:47	My gaming group and I are currently discussing what are the best ways to present a non-strength based Warlord option. Currently the Warlord is STR/int or STR/cha. I think INT/cha, CHA/int, DEX/int, or DEX/cha are potential options, but I'm not sure which are actually the best. I feel there should be an option for a Martial Leader who "leads from the rear", but I'm not sure what the best option would be for their powers. Making Ranged attacks that assist the party would probably be for the best, though a couple non-damaging attacks could be made to manipulate the enemy's actions (Cha or Int attacks to control an enemy's action through influence or a round-about way of adjucating the Warlord predicting the action, imposing penalties, and simply granting actions to allies could all apply). I love the warlord, but not all Martial Leaders should have to be beef-cakes. I appreciate having a tactical warrior, but I'd also like a tactical non-combatant to be a viable option since it is a common character archetype.
#3 matthewswift Oct 20, 2008 21:02:55	Fire Emblem. I Like this class idea simply because of one of the minor lords from Fire Emblem. Check out ff6shadow's arcane leader for some ideas of range leader ish mechanics. I'll have to think more on this class... An interesting proposal to be sure since warlords aren't meant to lead large scale wars. More like front line sergeants under some other class of tacticion: The Tacticion. Oh yeah, I like this class a lot now. I'm feeling some cross between ranger and warlord powers with more logistic military operations in mind: before and after combat effects (boosts initiative, bonus heals after combat) As well as in combat range effects: Directed fire: a burst that allows an ally to make a basic ranged attack against a given enemy using the Tactician's Cha or Int bonus. or my favorite thing not clearly defined in 4.0, the called shot. Tactical sniper? Strategist? Tactician? possibilities...
#4 soci0tard Oct 28, 2008 1:05:40	I think that logistical or grand-strategy abilities would be better done as a sort of "Marital Ritual" than with powers. You don't worry about the next shipment of beans in the middle of a skirmish, but you would be a fool not to take half an hour out of your day to analyze and manage all of your supply lines.
#5 matthewswift Oct 28, 2008 21:50:36	True on all counts but one: "Marital rituals" are considered divine. :D bad joke... A sniper style then? meh. Ranger with multiclass warlord does that. Ish. *shrugs*