My Warlord

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

Ryantravis

Jun 13, 2014 1:26:53

Hi everybody.

I was looking for some character feedback for my Warlord. I DM regularly and have done for a number of years in multiple games. It has, however, been a long time since I actually played a character in a game so I figured I'd sign up and ask for some friendly feedback. I'll start with giving you the character basics;

Race: Human
Class: Warlord
Features: Skirmish Lord, Battlefront Leader
Str 18 Con 14 Dex 13 Int 10 Wis 13 Cha 10
Feats: Armoured Warlord, Greatspear prof.
AC 17 Fort 16 Ref 12 Will 13
Hp, 26 Surges 10
Gear; Longbow, Greatspear, 30 arrows, Scale armour and adventures kit.

So what are everyones thoughts? Please and thank you.

#2

thespaceinvader

Jun 13, 2014 3:52:06

The Wisdom build isn't very good especially if you're spending a feat on a melee weapon.

 

What powers are you choosing?

#3

Ryantravis

Jun 13, 2014 10:12:14

I chose wis over int specifically for the extra point of will.

At will: Direct the strike, Paint the bulls eye, Wolf pack tactics
Encounter: Race the Arrow
Daily: Bastion of defence

For a bit of background, the party also has a charge mad goliath barbarian, a sword and board warforged fighter and an orb using gensai wizard.

#4

Chainsawhand

Jun 13, 2014 17:02:37

your choices seem confused, you take skirmish, where most of its riders are on ranged powers, you take Battlefront Leader (don't!) which gives prof with heavy shields, you take Greatspear prof feat...

 

so, heavy shields, bows, greatspears, how does all this work? you don't even have a shield despite taking Battlefront (don't!) just in order to take Armored Warlord? you could qualify for Scale Armor prof easily enough if you wanted it, but if you were worried about AC just have a shield, its hard to give advice when the character is spread so thin with no obvious direction

#5

Seth_Ulrik

Jun 13, 2014 20:20:16

The two Warlords that I have seen run effectively are STR/CHA and INT/CHA 'Lords. Can I ask why a 14 in CON when you can take the Auspicious Birth background if you feel that your HP pool isn't large enough? Why the Bow? There's a heavy thrown weapon that works out much better in the Farbond Spellblade (from what I've seen). Remember, a Greatspear and a bow are considered two-handed weapons so you can't hoist them AND have your shield out at the same time. 

 

Now, what I'm posting is just a quick run through the Character Builder, to show you a little different aspect of what you can do going with a few different choices. You don't have to take this as a "Build this instead!" post: 

 

 

====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Warlord, level 1
Human, Warlord (Marshal)
Warlord Option: Combat Leader
Commanding Presence Option: Skirmishing Presence
Human Power Selection Option: Heroic Effort

Background: Auspicious Birth (Auspicious Birth Benefit)
 
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
STR 18, CON 10, DEX 11, INT 14, WIS 10, CHA 14
 
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
STR 16, CON 10, DEX 11, INT 14, WIS 10, CHA 14
 
 
AC: 17 Fort: 16 Ref: 14 Will: 14
HP: 30 Surges: 7 Surge Value: 5
 
TRAINED SKILLS
Athletics +8, Diplomacy +7, Endurance +4, History +7, Intimidate +7
 
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics –1, Arcana +2, Bluff +2, Dungeoneering +0, Heal +0, Insight +0, Nature +0, Perception +0, Religion +2, Stealth –1, Streetwise +2, Thievery –1
 
POWERS
Basic Attack: Melee Basic Attack
Basic Attack: Ranged Basic Attack
Human Racial Power: Heroic Effort
Warlord Feature: Inspiring Word
Warlord Attack 1: Direct the Strike
Warlord Attack 1: Paint the Bulls-Eye
Warlord Attack 1: Powerful Warning
Warlord Attack 1: Destructive Surprise
 
FEATS
Level 1: Heavy Blade Expertise
Level 1: Weapon Proficiency (Drow long knife)
 
ITEMS
Drow long knife x1
Chainmail x1
Light Shield x1
====== End ======

 

The AC and FORT are still the same, but the REF and WILL are both one point higher by sacrificing CON and DEX in favor of INT and CHA. The Drow Long Knife counts as a heavy-thrown weapon (keys off strength), allowing you to use it in conjunction with some of those awesome ranged powers without sacrificing the need to juggle your items. Until you get a +1 weapon though, the knife WON'T return to you after an attack, so until that point, just play enabler with your powers. (Shouldn't take too long to get a standard +1 weapon). 

 

As you can see, there are only two At-Will attacks on this human build. You really only need two on a normal basis. Instead, it takes Heroic Effort in an effort to ensure your big damage/big enabling attack actually hits it's mark.

 

As I said, I merely ran this through the builder right quick to show you something just a bit more focused, if it helps, awesome! If you don't like it, that's A-OK too. 

 

One thing to note, I had originally forgotten Auspicious Birth, the HP jumped from 22 to 30. 7 Surges is usually pretty good, as being at the back you shouldn't need to be spending them too often.

#6

Ryantravis

Jun 14, 2014 8:53:52 		Would you recommend picking one weapon and sticking with it? Because I do love me a bow.
#7

thespaceinvader

Jun 14, 2014 12:56:52

Ryantravis wrote:
#8

Seth_Ulrik

Jun 14, 2014 20:24:54

Sticking to one weapon is the best bet, not only for monetary benefit (try keeping up with two weapons and armor and shield as you level), but it saves you feat space as well (by not having to take the expertise feats for extra weapons).

 

There is an option for Warlords to use a bow and it allows you to focus on STR instead of DEX to use it, so it -may- be possible to do.

#9

thespaceinvader

Jun 15, 2014 3:03:48

The Bow build is fine, but it's nowhere near as good as the melee builds.  If you want to use a bow, you can, but be advised you won't be as good a warlord as you could be.

#10

Ryantravis

Jun 15, 2014 13:47:50

I dont play for full optimisation anyway but stickong to one weapon and the array advice has really helped. Thank you.

#11

Seth_Ulrik

Jun 15, 2014 16:22:43 		Just remember, you can be effective without full optimization. Glad we were able to help out! ^-^