Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 lindz444 Aug 12, 2013 11:57:54	I have a 4 man party of Ensnaring Swordmage, Predator Druid (controll focused, only some melee), Cunning Bard and Artful Dodger Rogue. We may have a 5th join and we're wondering what would be the best role to double up on. I was thinking some sort of beefy striker or maybe even another defender to help the rogue get CA on brutes and such since our swordmage loves diving the artillery and controllers, but we are totally open to anything really.
#2 Centauri Aug 12, 2013 12:16:20	we are totally open to anything really. Then have the 5th player play the character they would most enjoy. There's no wrong choice.
#3 Onikani Aug 12, 2013 12:50:15	This is probably best served by charops, but the usual rubrick would be for you guys to add a second striker. Some ranged ability would probably help the most, maybe a ranger or sorc. Ps - a decently built rogue should have permanent CA  after about 4th level, so you probably shouldn't worry about tailoring the party make-up to set up flanks.
#4 lindz444 Aug 12, 2013 13:03:57	Good to know, we're only second level right now. With a bard leader we are quite light on healing, is there a leader build that would help with that, that can also help fill either a secondary striker or defender role?
#5 Onikani Aug 12, 2013 13:23:37	Good to know, we're only second level right now. With a bard leader we are quite light on healing, is there a leader build that would help with that, that can also help fill either a secondary striker or defender role?  A warlord is probably what you want. It is a beefy leader that leads from melee range. And the Bravura option gives them marks. He'll bring extra heals, help provide flanks, and can even give the rogue free attacks (more sneak attack!). The rogue will need to take the feat melee training (charisma) to actually be able to hit with the free attacks, but it'll be worth it since it will effectively double his damage output for a single feat. So, you get heals, flanks, off defendering, and striker level damage since he is effectviely wielding the rogue.
#6 lindz444 Aug 12, 2013 15:50:10	I think our 5th is leaning towards a Ranger|Cleric, which seems like it would work great in our party. We don't have much experience with hybrid builds, but the character builder is helpful for that. :p Would people recommend a str/wis melee build or a dex/wis bow build as a better fit?
#7 Onikani Aug 12, 2013 16:40:15	I didn't realize hybrids were on the table, i'd have suggested a fighter|cleric/avenger. But nothing wrong with a Ranger|Cleric, it's practically a perfect fit for a melee build. You want St/Wis, 16's in both, and a race that bumps both (i prefer Goliath). Take the Battle Cleric Lore option (defender level AC, and it leaves your hands open for dual wielding) Since you get Scale with another +2, you could probably dump your dex all the way to 8 (and take the Battlewise feat at level 8 to bring your init back up). Take Twin Strike as your ranger at-will, and either Hack and Hew Mighty Hew or Off-hand strike as your e1. And either Jaws of the Wolf or Weapon of Astral Flame as yout d1. Invigorating stride will probably be your u2. And really, that's about it... EDIT - fixed the power's name
#8 thespaceinvader Aug 12, 2013 17:29:18	I'd be inclined to Mighty Hew for E1, actually.  Minor actions are actually pretty useful to the Ranger|Cleric.  WoAF for the d1 though.
#9 Onikani Aug 12, 2013 17:31:04	Lol yeah, Mighty Hew, i derped, my bad. Hack and Hew is a fighter power... >.<
#10 lindz444 Aug 12, 2013 17:33:40	Awesome, thanks for the help guys.