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#1 anubis_reynard Jun 10, 2009 16:28:09

My first RPGA character has just hit level 4, but it's not too early to start thinking for the future. Originally, I'd intended this character as a Staff/Tome Dual Implement Spellcaster Bonded Summoner, using my favorite +con race, Gnoll. (18 con, 16 Int at level 1) Conjurations and ways to boost my (and by extension, my summons) defenses were a priority. In play, however, I found that by level 2, I was REALLY missing damage. Yes, I was a controller, not a striker, but I'd chosen very preemptive powers- Chilling Cloud, Astral Wasp, and Storm Pillar- and I was frusterated at the times when my party-of-the-week was too aggressive to make best use of my abilities. So instead of picking up a Spirit Companion meatshield at level 2 (I only had a +1wis anyway) I grabbed Melee Training Con, so I could beat down on people with my magic Defensive Staff with racial bonuses, AND make use of my racial charge power. This build has a much different playstyle- unload encounter and at-will control at the beginning, then once it's down to just one or two brutes or elites, charge in and start swinging for D8+7 (or +9) per turn. It's also caused me to reconsider my paragon path choice. Though I still am a high-defense, high HP summoner, I now mainly use Fire Warrior as a source of OAs against enemy artillery and flanking against big enemies. I am much more aggressive myself, more liable to be in melee, and more capable of making a good showing of myself there. In this line, since I was no longer locked into Shaman MC for at-will minor action conjuration, I began looking at Swordmage MC for the Swordmage Warding, which might convert to the summons as well. For this I would need to wield a blade... which led me to WotST. WotST's ability allows me to count a longsword as both a staff (though not a defensive staff) and a Tome. (for Improved Tome of Summoning, temp HP on my summons). It also leaves a hand free for either Swordmage Warding/Versitile Longsword implement, or wielding a Defensive Staff with my offhand for the property. (and picking up DIC after all) Obviously, going Bonded Summoner or WotST from here are radically different builds. Strictly from a Character Optimization standpoint, what are people's thoughts on each?