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Defender/Controller?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
darkwing_bmf
May 07, 2009 8:41:48 I'm wondering what would be best to balance out this group...
Dodger Rogue
Sorcerer (guy was playing Paladin, but got bored with it)
Dragonborn Cleric
Inspiring Warlord

The roles missing seem to be defender and controller and I'm wondering which class would be a good fit for this group. The player who I'm replacing played a Wizard, but I don't have to remain that class.

I'm thinking Warden might fill the role nicely, but I've never seen one in action before.
#2
dmingnicholas
May 07, 2009 8:48:56 Warden would be a good choice or a sword and shield fighter. Your sorcerer should be good enough as a back up controller. It is more important you have someone up front to take those hits. You are probably going to have most of the party in melee but most of them will be lacking in hit points.
#3
krownhunter07
May 07, 2009 8:51:12 Depending on the powers you choose, either a Warden or Swordmage can fit the role of a Defender with a dash of Controller.

If you mean one or the other (for roles) Defender would work best for protecting a group, if they don't have one.
#4
Dragoloth
May 07, 2009 8:53:02 A defenders is IMO a better choice than a controller if your lacking both. As for wardens they are awesome, especially with a reach weapon. I personally like the earthstrenght warden.
#5
nowiwantmydmg
May 07, 2009 9:34:40 A druid actually seems to be not bad at meatshielding, MC to get a mark and they'd be pretty solid in both roles.
#6
darkwing_bmf
May 07, 2009 12:19:02
A defenders is IMO a better choice than a controller if your lacking both. As for wardens they are awesome, especially with a reach weapon. I personally like the earthstrength warden.

Interesting, what kind of tactics do you recommend for wardens that work best with reach?
#7
darkwing_bmf
May 07, 2009 12:20:13
A druid actually seems to be not bad at meatshielding, MC to get a mark and they'd be pretty solid in both roles.

I was thinking about this as well, but wasn't sure if they'd have the staying power/attention grabbing that a true defender has.
#8
nowiwantmydmg
May 07, 2009 13:59:48
I was thinking about this as well, but wasn't sure if they'd have the staying power/attention grabbing that a true defender has.

With 2 leaders in the party staying power shouldn't be an issue.

Attention getting is more difficult, but your control abilities make you a target too, in addition to a mark from MC.

The neat thing is that you can use the shapeshifting everyturn (at least that's how its happening at our table, I'm not 100% on the druid stuff) to get a free 1 sq shift and alternate between control and melee powers as you need to.
#9
jacksmithiv
May 07, 2009 14:22:59 Yeah, you need something to take hits, a lot. Protecting Druid, Paladin (though you probably have enough healing), Warden, Fighter, maybe Swordmage (not Aegis of Assault, though).
#10
zaque
May 07, 2009 16:50:12 I've actually created a surprisingly effective Fighter multiclassed into Wizard. He has a high INT and uses the big area of effects and control powers to mark tons of guys at once while also keeping those guys from getting to him.
#11
grahamwills
May 07, 2009 23:53:20
I've actually created a surprisingly effective Fighter multiclassed into Wizard. He has a high INT and uses the big area of effects and control powers to mark tons of guys at once while also keeping those guys from getting to him.

I have also done the same. Axe and board fighter, human, equal strength and int ... great defenses all round, pick up a wand with a burst power and for 2 feats you have three decent burst attacks (I have thunderwave, scorching burst and burning hands) for lots of marking.

I though it would just be a fun, but not effective character, but it works out surprisingly well.
#12
Dragoloth
May 08, 2009 0:25:22
Interesting, what kind of tactics do you recommend for wardens that work best with reach?

Wardens Fury's range is melee weapon, so if an opponent shifts and attacks an ally you get to take a swing. The tree form daily powers starting at 9th level add one to your reach. While you can only mark adjacent enemies, the reach gives you a greater area of control. The best Warden advice is here
http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1165497 .
#13
bow_seat
May 08, 2009 2:47:08 i think i would go with a defender. it's usually better to have more people in melee than in ranged... or at least that's how it's always worked out for me.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 darkwing_bmf May 07, 2009 8:41:48	I'm wondering what would be best to balance out this group... Dodger Rogue Sorcerer (guy was playing Paladin, but got bored with it) Dragonborn Cleric Inspiring Warlord The roles missing seem to be defender and controller and I'm wondering which class would be a good fit for this group. The player who I'm replacing played a Wizard, but I don't have to remain that class. I'm thinking Warden might fill the role nicely, but I've never seen one in action before.
#2 dmingnicholas May 07, 2009 8:48:56	Warden would be a good choice or a sword and shield fighter. Your sorcerer should be good enough as a back up controller. It is more important you have someone up front to take those hits. You are probably going to have most of the party in melee but most of them will be lacking in hit points.
#3 krownhunter07 May 07, 2009 8:51:12	Depending on the powers you choose, either a Warden or Swordmage can fit the role of a Defender with a dash of Controller. If you mean one or the other (for roles) Defender would work best for protecting a group, if they don't have one.
#4 Dragoloth May 07, 2009 8:53:02	A defenders is IMO a better choice than a controller if your lacking both. As for wardens they are awesome, especially with a reach weapon. I personally like the earthstrenght warden.
#5 nowiwantmydmg May 07, 2009 9:34:40	A druid actually seems to be not bad at meatshielding, MC to get a mark and they'd be pretty solid in both roles.
#6 darkwing_bmf May 07, 2009 12:19:02	A defenders is IMO a better choice than a controller if your lacking both. As for wardens they are awesome, especially with a reach weapon. I personally like the earthstrength warden. Interesting, what kind of tactics do you recommend for wardens that work best with reach?
#7 darkwing_bmf May 07, 2009 12:20:13	A druid actually seems to be not bad at meatshielding, MC to get a mark and they'd be pretty solid in both roles. I was thinking about this as well, but wasn't sure if they'd have the staying power/attention grabbing that a true defender has.
#8 nowiwantmydmg May 07, 2009 13:59:48	I was thinking about this as well, but wasn't sure if they'd have the staying power/attention grabbing that a true defender has. With 2 leaders in the party staying power shouldn't be an issue. Attention getting is more difficult, but your control abilities make you a target too, in addition to a mark from MC. The neat thing is that you can use the shapeshifting everyturn (at least that's how its happening at our table, I'm not 100% on the druid stuff) to get a free 1 sq shift and alternate between control and melee powers as you need to.
#9 jacksmithiv May 07, 2009 14:22:59	Yeah, you need something to take hits, a lot. Protecting Druid, Paladin (though you probably have enough healing), Warden, Fighter, maybe Swordmage (not Aegis of Assault, though).
#10 zaque May 07, 2009 16:50:12	I've actually created a surprisingly effective Fighter multiclassed into Wizard. He has a high INT and uses the big area of effects and control powers to mark tons of guys at once while also keeping those guys from getting to him.
#11 grahamwills May 07, 2009 23:53:20	I've actually created a surprisingly effective Fighter multiclassed into Wizard. He has a high INT and uses the big area of effects and control powers to mark tons of guys at once while also keeping those guys from getting to him. I have also done the same. Axe and board fighter, human, equal strength and int ... great defenses all round, pick up a wand with a burst power and for 2 feats you have three decent burst attacks (I have thunderwave, scorching burst and burning hands) for lots of marking. I though it would just be a fun, but not effective character, but it works out surprisingly well.
#12 Dragoloth May 08, 2009 0:25:22	Interesting, what kind of tactics do you recommend for wardens that work best with reach? Wardens Fury's range is melee weapon, so if an opponent shifts and attacks an ally you get to take a swing. The tree form daily powers starting at 9th level add one to your reach. While you can only mark adjacent enemies, the reach gives you a greater area of control. The best Warden advice is here http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1165497 .
#13 bow_seat May 08, 2009 2:47:08	i think i would go with a defender. it's usually better to have more people in melee than in ranged... or at least that's how it's always worked out for me.