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what's the simplest character?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
ohako79
Apr 28, 2009 13:01:49 Last night at the table we had

2 Warlock
2 Shaman
1 Invoker
1 Fighter

I love my warlock, he's fun to roleplay really. But he's a tiefling, and he's got a couple of problems

1. 6 different conditional to-hit modifiers
a) Combat Advantage
b) Charging
c) Bloodhunt
d) Prime Shot
e) Hellfire Blood
f) Infernal Wrath
2. A need to get hurt to trigger Hellish Rebuke a lot (so he plays somewhat crazily)

The Shamans and the Invoker also had a bunch of crazy powers, and it was hard on the GM to keep all the conditionals straight
1. If I move this enemy, the Fighter gets an OA
2. If I shift this enemy, the Fighter gets a Combat Superiority attack
3. If I damage the tiefling, it hurts my guy too
and on and on

It seems like there's a whole lot of 'if' powers and 'trigger' powers and conditionals, especially when you start bringing in magic items. This slows combat down and can be confusing.

Now I'm not saying complex characters aren't fun to play (they can be), but I keep feeling like I want combat to go faster faster faster. What's the simplest character for each role? What class/race combos have the fewest conditional powers, immediate actions, or things like that? What character has the fewest amount of sheer rules text?
#2
bhale187
Apr 28, 2009 13:15:29 In 4E there is not any terribly simple class like fighter used to be in AD&D. Everything has conditionals, and those compound when taking the feats that end up making you more effecctive in combat.

I would suggest printing multiple copies of cards for each of your powers, and keep a seperate card for the variety of conditionals that may apply.

Like one card for the power with non of the conditionals met, another for when bloodied, one for when combat advantage, another for combat advantage and bloodied, etc.

I found power cards greatly speed up combats by eliminating having to do the math in the middle of the combat.
#3
Nutation
Apr 28, 2009 14:49:45
What's the simplest character for each role?

I think the absolutely simplest character to play is the archer ranger. Hang back, quarry & twin strike all day. You lose out on Prime Shot, but such is life. Rangers have several interrupt powers; avoid them. You won't be the best possible striker, but you'll still do very well.
#4
ohako79
Apr 28, 2009 21:21:11 oh hey, my Warlock right now is only level 2, so there's not much in the way of power cards to deal with. Cards are very useful, it's true. Right now I'm managing by arranging teeny little skull beads into a little pattern (4 on the top row, 2 on the bottom), and I'll move the beads with an active bonus on them up a little, and add that to 4 (which is my basic without anything). Seems to work pretty well, and it's certainly nice to remember when

a) I'm flanking with a fighter to get CA
b) got the Prime Shot at super-close range
c) target is bloodied

giving me a +8 vs. Will to hit something, and still roll a 2

Actually, my wife is playing an archer ranger right now. I think you're right, that is very simple. Even though she does get some good use out of Disruptive Strike.

What do you think is the simplest Defender: Fighter, Paladin, Swordmage, or Warden?
#5
gomeztoo
Apr 29, 2009 0:40:16 Paladin. All he really does is damage if you do not include him in the attack.
The others all have actions they can take.
#6
telvin3d
Apr 29, 2009 1:02:12 As someone who has seen a lot of new people play, laser clerics are a surprisingly good choice. Especially if they are from character builder so that all the powers are calculated and clear. Their attacks are straight forward and the other players take care of when and where healing happens: "I need a heal please!"

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 ohako79 Apr 28, 2009 13:01:49	Last night at the table we had 2 Warlock 2 Shaman 1 Invoker 1 Fighter I love my warlock, he's fun to roleplay really. But he's a tiefling, and he's got a couple of problems 1. 6 different conditional to-hit modifiers a) Combat Advantage b) Charging c) Bloodhunt d) Prime Shot e) Hellfire Blood f) Infernal Wrath 2. A need to get hurt to trigger Hellish Rebuke a lot (so he plays somewhat crazily) The Shamans and the Invoker also had a bunch of crazy powers, and it was hard on the GM to keep all the conditionals straight 1. If I move this enemy, the Fighter gets an OA 2. If I shift this enemy, the Fighter gets a Combat Superiority attack 3. If I damage the tiefling, it hurts my guy too and on and on It seems like there's a whole lot of 'if' powers and 'trigger' powers and conditionals, especially when you start bringing in magic items. This slows combat down and can be confusing. Now I'm not saying complex characters aren't fun to play (they can be), but I keep feeling like I want combat to go faster faster faster. What's the simplest character for each role? What class/race combos have the fewest conditional powers, immediate actions, or things like that? What character has the fewest amount of sheer rules text?
#2 bhale187 Apr 28, 2009 13:15:29	In 4E there is not any terribly simple class like fighter used to be in AD&D. Everything has conditionals, and those compound when taking the feats that end up making you more effecctive in combat. I would suggest printing multiple copies of cards for each of your powers, and keep a seperate card for the variety of conditionals that may apply. Like one card for the power with non of the conditionals met, another for when bloodied, one for when combat advantage, another for combat advantage and bloodied, etc. I found power cards greatly speed up combats by eliminating having to do the math in the middle of the combat.
#3 Nutation Apr 28, 2009 14:49:45	What's the simplest character for each role? I think the absolutely simplest character to play is the archer ranger. Hang back, quarry & twin strike all day. You lose out on Prime Shot, but such is life. Rangers have several interrupt powers; avoid them. You won't be the best possible striker, but you'll still do very well.
#4 ohako79 Apr 28, 2009 21:21:11	oh hey, my Warlock right now is only level 2, so there's not much in the way of power cards to deal with. Cards are very useful, it's true. Right now I'm managing by arranging teeny little skull beads into a little pattern (4 on the top row, 2 on the bottom), and I'll move the beads with an active bonus on them up a little, and add that to 4 (which is my basic without anything). Seems to work pretty well, and it's certainly nice to remember when a) I'm flanking with a fighter to get CA b) got the Prime Shot at super-close range c) target is bloodied giving me a +8 vs. Will to hit something, and still roll a 2 Actually, my wife is playing an archer ranger right now. I think you're right, that is very simple. Even though she does get some good use out of Disruptive Strike. What do you think is the simplest Defender: Fighter, Paladin, Swordmage, or Warden?
#5 gomeztoo Apr 29, 2009 0:40:16	Paladin. All he really does is damage if you do not include him in the attack. The others all have actions they can take.
#6 telvin3d Apr 29, 2009 1:02:12	As someone who has seen a lot of new people play, laser clerics are a surprisingly good choice. Especially if they are from character builder so that all the powers are calculated and clear. Their attacks are straight forward and the other players take care of when and where healing happens: "I need a heal please!"