Filling Out The Party -- Thanks Much! - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Filling Out The Party -- Thanks Much!

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
wanderer3791
May 05, 2009 14:48:34 We are going to be starting up a new campaign this weekend, and the emails are flying fast and furious about who is playing what.

This is what we have so far:

1. Elven Predator Druid (is taking Pounce)
2. Dwarf Fighter > Iron Vanguard
3. Human Cleric > Radiant Servant (a laser cleric I assume)
4.
5.

The final two spots are left for my buddy and I. Any advice?

I was leaning toward some flavor of rogue to compliment the Pounce ability the druid is taking. Artful or Brutal? I was leaning toward drow if going AD, but I'm not sure how that would play in the world (don't want to be running for my life all the time). Might have to go Artful Dodger with a "less optimal" race.

The fifth slot seems wide open given that we should have our 4 bases covered. Any suggestions? Maybe a sorcerer for some ranged damage? Or an assaulting swordmage for extra defender goodness?

Thanks for any input.
#2
silent_stone
May 05, 2009 14:57:06 Really, I would say just play whatever class piques your interest. While it is true that making sure you have all the roles covered is important, I don't think it is so critical you should feel forced to play any particular class/role/whatever.

But if you absolutely want to fill all the roles, yeah, make one of the last two a striker. Artful Rogue would work.
#3
ctsshaw
May 05, 2009 15:00:40 An ensnaring swordmage might be fun for the fifth slot. Its an extra defender who can add a control element or perhaps a good ole fashioned wizard since you guys don't seem to be packing a controller yet.

As to your rogue I can't help much there, I haven't had a lot of game play experience with them yet.
#4
frosty14
May 05, 2009 15:04:43 Play what perks you'all's intrest. It is about fun after all. I have played in unbalanced groups before. Had a great time.
#5
Samursus
May 05, 2009 15:45:06
since you guys don't seem to be packing a controller yet.

Druid is a Controller.

But choose whatever you feel like playing. Since you already have the Leader, Controller, and Defender...the group would benefit the most from having at least one of you playing a Striker. 2 of you playing Strikers would, imho, maximize your parties deadliness/survivability. Since Strikers have the most Classes, you have many to choose from.

Good gaming!
#6
daigotsurezan
May 05, 2009 15:47:12 The druid is a controller, actually, much as a Beast Form druid seems like a Striker.

As for the other two slots, go nuts. You have a Defender, a Leader, and a Controller, so you're just missing damage-dealers and pretty much everyone can do that. Rogues work out nicely (and you can get a Hat of Disguise to avoid being a Drow if you really want to play one :P), but just go with what sounds good.
#7
unsocialentity
May 05, 2009 15:56:19 Throw in two strikerish types to get through battles faster.

A rogue would work well if the druid plans on giving combat advantage. If that's the case, you could have fun with a second defender that was very strikerish to help protect your frontline squishies. Battleragers and tempest fighters can both hit hard when built right. At that point you'll be melee heavy though.
#8
ctsshaw
May 05, 2009 16:02:46
Druid is a Controller.

Blargh! You're right. I don't have as much experience with the PHB2 classes yet and the beast form druid really strikes me as strikerish.

With that said - the hell with it, double strikers. It'll help you move through encounters very nicely. Or a bard, they're always useful.
#9
jacksmithiv
May 05, 2009 16:03:18 I would personally throw in a mobile striker, like a Fey-pact warlock (or any other pact, really), and a wizard. That party you've got there looks like it can get bogged in close quarters, something to make the battlefield more engaging might be interesting.

Sure, the druid is a controller, but it looks like he wants to get into the gray too. A couple of people who can keep their distance would be good. An Invoker might be interesting, you don't hear about a ton of Invokers on the battlefield.
#10
tiornys
May 05, 2009 21:47:01 With a laser cleric in the party, the rest of the party should be able to handle themselves in melee if necessary, since laser clerics are terrible in melee. A 5-man party can keep one character out of melee, but keeping two out of melee is asking a lot.

You have a Controller (minor Striker), a very solid Defender, and a Leader (minor Controller). One of the last two slots should be a Striker. A Rogue fits into this party quite well, especially since most Rogues can readily switch between melee and ranged as needed. Since that's what you were thinking of playing anyway, I'd say do it. Go with whichever build appeals to you, as both will work well. Rogues are either Strikers or Striker (minor Controller), depending on how they're built.

The last slot can be anything, but I recommend something that cares about Int. You have the other ability scores well covered, so might as well add someone who can fill in the Int-based skills. Thus, I'd look at Warlocks, Swordmages, Warlords, Wizards, Avengers, Bards, Invokers, and Shaman.

t~
#11
wanderer3791
May 06, 2009 8:37:46 Thanks for all the great feedback.

I have decided to go with a human artful dodger rogue for my character.

I understand the suggestion that having a character in the party who focuses on INT might be a good idea; however, would adding a wizard to the mix be overkill on the controller-front (already have a druid and rogue who can control)?

We considered swordmage, but that leaves us a little short on the ranged damage. If only the sorcerer was INT-based!

I suppose the cleric could go with a more balanced cleric build (STR and WIS) and then we could bring along a wizard. Controlling shouldn't be lacking! Are there any strikers whose primary attribute is INT?
#12
jacksmithiv
May 06, 2009 9:53:15
...however, would adding a wizard to the mix be overkill on the controller-front (already have a druid and rogue who can control)?

Rogues are not controllers. To my knowledge, rogues have incredibly limited powers and capabilities in this respect.

I suppose the cleric could go with a more balanced cleric build (STR and WIS) and then we could bring along a wizard. Controlling shouldn't be lacking! Are there any strikers whose primary attribute is INT?

As far as I know, no. Another striker wouldn't hurt, but you can really go anywhere now that you seem to have a pretty balanced party. I'd really still say Wizard or Invoker, because my suggestion is still to get someone who is ranged. Sorceror, Warlock, or Bow Ranger is also good in this respect.

Your party looks like it is going to be tied up in melee, leaving you laser cleric vulnerable. This is why I say someone like a wizard, who can turn around and screw with people who try to bone your behind-the-scenes guy.
#13
Krusk
May 06, 2009 10:48:07 I think adding a second controller, especially a wizard, would be a great addition to the party. The enemy will be almost unable to act. But most importantly, currently a beast form druid is going to be mostly in or near melee. A wizard is going to (generallly) be as far from it as he can. This means two very different styles of controller, and very little toe stepping.
#14
Kalnaur
May 06, 2009 12:45:12 I would like to mention that Half-Orcs and Halflings can also make fair Rogues. Half Orcs make fair Brawny Rogues and can be Cutthroats as well with a good CHA score, Halflings have a proclivity towards the other builds.

If Drow is off the table, these could do it for you.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 wanderer3791 May 05, 2009 14:48:34	We are going to be starting up a new campaign this weekend, and the emails are flying fast and furious about who is playing what. This is what we have so far: 1. Elven Predator Druid (is taking Pounce) 2. Dwarf Fighter > Iron Vanguard 3. Human Cleric > Radiant Servant (a laser cleric I assume) 4. 5. The final two spots are left for my buddy and I. Any advice? I was leaning toward some flavor of rogue to compliment the Pounce ability the druid is taking. Artful or Brutal? I was leaning toward drow if going AD, but I'm not sure how that would play in the world (don't want to be running for my life all the time). Might have to go Artful Dodger with a "less optimal" race. The fifth slot seems wide open given that we should have our 4 bases covered. Any suggestions? Maybe a sorcerer for some ranged damage? Or an assaulting swordmage for extra defender goodness? Thanks for any input.
#2 silent_stone May 05, 2009 14:57:06	Really, I would say just play whatever class piques your interest. While it is true that making sure you have all the roles covered is important, I don't think it is so critical you should feel forced to play any particular class/role/whatever. But if you absolutely want to fill all the roles, yeah, make one of the last two a striker. Artful Rogue would work.
#3 ctsshaw May 05, 2009 15:00:40	An ensnaring swordmage might be fun for the fifth slot. Its an extra defender who can add a control element or perhaps a good ole fashioned wizard since you guys don't seem to be packing a controller yet. As to your rogue I can't help much there, I haven't had a lot of game play experience with them yet.
#4 frosty14 May 05, 2009 15:04:43	Play what perks you'all's intrest. It is about fun after all. I have played in unbalanced groups before. Had a great time.
#5 Samursus May 05, 2009 15:45:06	since you guys don't seem to be packing a controller yet. Druid is a Controller. But choose whatever you feel like playing. Since you already have the Leader, Controller, and Defender...the group would benefit the most from having at least one of you playing a Striker. 2 of you playing Strikers would, imho, maximize your parties deadliness/survivability. Since Strikers have the most Classes, you have many to choose from. Good gaming!
#6 daigotsurezan May 05, 2009 15:47:12	The druid is a controller, actually, much as a Beast Form druid seems like a Striker. As for the other two slots, go nuts. You have a Defender, a Leader, and a Controller, so you're just missing damage-dealers and pretty much everyone can do that. Rogues work out nicely (and you can get a Hat of Disguise to avoid being a Drow if you really want to play one :P), but just go with what sounds good.
#7 unsocialentity May 05, 2009 15:56:19	Throw in two strikerish types to get through battles faster. A rogue would work well if the druid plans on giving combat advantage. If that's the case, you could have fun with a second defender that was very strikerish to help protect your frontline squishies. Battleragers and tempest fighters can both hit hard when built right. At that point you'll be melee heavy though.
#8 ctsshaw May 05, 2009 16:02:46	Druid is a Controller. Blargh! You're right. I don't have as much experience with the PHB2 classes yet and the beast form druid really strikes me as strikerish. With that said - the hell with it, double strikers. It'll help you move through encounters very nicely. Or a bard, they're always useful.
#9 jacksmithiv May 05, 2009 16:03:18	I would personally throw in a mobile striker, like a Fey-pact warlock (or any other pact, really), and a wizard. That party you've got there looks like it can get bogged in close quarters, something to make the battlefield more engaging might be interesting. Sure, the druid is a controller, but it looks like he wants to get into the gray too. A couple of people who can keep their distance would be good. An Invoker might be interesting, you don't hear about a ton of Invokers on the battlefield.
#10 tiornys May 05, 2009 21:47:01	With a laser cleric in the party, the rest of the party should be able to handle themselves in melee if necessary, since laser clerics are terrible in melee. A 5-man party can keep one character out of melee, but keeping two out of melee is asking a lot. You have a Controller (minor Striker), a very solid Defender, and a Leader (minor Controller). One of the last two slots should be a Striker. A Rogue fits into this party quite well, especially since most Rogues can readily switch between melee and ranged as needed. Since that's what you were thinking of playing anyway, I'd say do it. Go with whichever build appeals to you, as both will work well. Rogues are either Strikers or Striker (minor Controller), depending on how they're built. The last slot can be anything, but I recommend something that cares about Int. You have the other ability scores well covered, so might as well add someone who can fill in the Int-based skills. Thus, I'd look at Warlocks, Swordmages, Warlords, Wizards, Avengers, Bards, Invokers, and Shaman. t~
#11 wanderer3791 May 06, 2009 8:37:46	Thanks for all the great feedback. I have decided to go with a human artful dodger rogue for my character. I understand the suggestion that having a character in the party who focuses on INT might be a good idea; however, would adding a wizard to the mix be overkill on the controller-front (already have a druid and rogue who can control)? We considered swordmage, but that leaves us a little short on the ranged damage. If only the sorcerer was INT-based! I suppose the cleric could go with a more balanced cleric build (STR and WIS) and then we could bring along a wizard. Controlling shouldn't be lacking! Are there any strikers whose primary attribute is INT?
#12 jacksmithiv May 06, 2009 9:53:15	...however, would adding a wizard to the mix be overkill on the controller-front (already have a druid and rogue who can control)? Rogues are not controllers. To my knowledge, rogues have incredibly limited powers and capabilities in this respect. I suppose the cleric could go with a more balanced cleric build (STR and WIS) and then we could bring along a wizard. Controlling shouldn't be lacking! Are there any strikers whose primary attribute is INT? As far as I know, no. Another striker wouldn't hurt, but you can really go anywhere now that you seem to have a pretty balanced party. I'd really still say Wizard or Invoker, because my suggestion is still to get someone who is ranged. Sorceror, Warlock, or Bow Ranger is also good in this respect. Your party looks like it is going to be tied up in melee, leaving you laser cleric vulnerable. This is why I say someone like a wizard, who can turn around and screw with people who try to bone your behind-the-scenes guy.
#13 Krusk May 06, 2009 10:48:07	I think adding a second controller, especially a wizard, would be a great addition to the party. The enemy will be almost unable to act. But most importantly, currently a beast form druid is going to be mostly in or near melee. A wizard is going to (generallly) be as far from it as he can. This means two very different styles of controller, and very little toe stepping.
#14 Kalnaur May 06, 2009 12:45:12	I would like to mention that Half-Orcs and Halflings can also make fair Rogues. Half Orcs make fair Brawny Rogues and can be Cutthroats as well with a good CHA score, Halflings have a proclivity towards the other builds. If Drow is off the table, these could do it for you.