Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Chaosfruitbat Mar 06, 2015 7:16:46	Afternoon all,   I'm in a group of players, working through HoTDQ, and as we are near the start, I deicded to reroll and pick a class with some decent crown control. I'm thinking a monk might well be what I am looking for, but what other options would you suggest?      Ta   Andy
#2 mellored Mar 06, 2015 7:20:34	Bard is probably the best crowd control class. Wizards are pretty good as well too. Followed by druid. Then monk.   (IMO).
#3 Noctaem Mar 06, 2015 7:21:22	It's funny that the immediate answer isn't wizard imo.
#4 Chaosfruitbat Mar 06, 2015 8:00:45	thanks for the responses, I'll grab the PHB when I get home and delve a little deeper.
#5 BRJN Mar 08, 2015 18:21:16	My monk isn't really a crowd control kinda guy - If I could use Disengage and Flurry of Blows at the same time, that would change - but I haven't reached the level where I can Stun people (yet).  At lower levels, pick something else.  If you are starting in a higher tier, go ahead and try it out.   My 4e Warlock got into the ultimate version of "crowd control" - he used his high CHR (and some inspired speechifying, if I do say so myself) to set off a rebellion in an orc tribe.  Our party goal was to prevent the orcs from attacking a human kingdom.
#6 slumgum Mar 08, 2015 18:54:53	I think an enchanter subclass wizard is probably the best simply because they can continue their job even after they run out of spell slots.     Regardless of what class you pick you'll likely want a variety of spells to choose from to do you job.   Early on sleep stands out as a spell they cannot roll to save against - it's the magic missiles of the crowd control spells.  Make sure to pick up spells you can cast in every level of spell slot: Tasha's hideus laughter isn't as good as hold person for example, but it uses a first level spell slot and.  Tasha's and Hold Person also overlap some in who they can target, but each also has a small subset the other cannot target. Later on you'll want spells that can dissect the battlefield (Wall of Fire, etc).    As someone who tried to make the ultimate crowd controller recently make sure to not neglect your ability to deal damage.  Something dead is better than something paralized, and spending every turn doing more subtle magic gets boring.     A final piece of advice, don't underestimate a well placed puddle of grease.  If they slip they'll lose half their movement standing back up.  It isn't always about totally incapacitating the enemies, sometimes just slowing them down is enough.
(Reply to #2) RubenRybnikk	mellored wrote:
#8 FallingIcicle Mar 08, 2015 20:25:47	Wizards have by far the best and widest selection of crowd control spells. Bards may have hold spells and hypnotic pattern, but they don't have things like web and Evard's black tentacles. Bards have few options against opponents that are immune to being charmed.
#9 mellored Mar 08, 2015 20:38:27	i guess it depends on weather you consider cutting words, diplomacy, and bluff skill "control", but yea, wizard could be considered top with bard second.
(Reply to #9) M_Aurelius	Although not the ultimate range of spells as a wizard, don't underestimate the Sorcerer.  When specced as a CC character, can be very useful in whatever aspect you want.  At the early levels, they get everything you need for good CC.  At mid levels, twinning hold person, haste, improved invis, or banishment should not be underestimated.  Multiclass with cleric or bard for some more variety. The only issue with taking socerer is your scope of CC is narrow due to limited spell selection, but what you can do is extremely potent.  Bend luck or lucky feat hedging your save DC is nice.  And of course, keeping 1 or 2 quickened or empowered damage spells around will always ensure you can do damage when its needed.
#11 slumgum Mar 09, 2015 13:12:48	mellored wrote:
#12 mellored Mar 09, 2015 13:20:06	slumgum wrote:
#13 M_Aurelius Mar 09, 2015 18:07:35	With concentration, there is not really a clear cut CC guy. Sure with wizard there is the most variety, but most of the wizard's control spells are concentration. So only 1 at a time, like everyone else.  From what I have seen in play, the druid, bard, wizard, and certain sorcs are all equal in their ability to CC.  I am pretty sure that was by design.  I think this edition has really tried to go away from the standard party healer, buffer, or CC.