Need New Character - Defender/Buffer/Healer? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Need New Character - Defender/Buffer/Healer?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
warweaver
Jun 02, 2009 17:37:44 Hi all. I'm getting into a new 4e campaign soon, and I'm the kind of guy who likes playing just about anything (I can come up with a good enough bio to be interested in whatever), so long as it's helping out the party.

To that end, here's the party so far (I'm jumping in on the third session, level 1):

Human Avenger
Human Wizard (summoning specialty)
Dragonborn Fighter
Gnome Rogue
Half-elf Warlock (unable to make next session)

Some things sprung immediately to mind, i.e. a leader and/or another defender. I personally like arcane classes, but if you think something else would fit well, please do suggest it as I'm fine with expanding my horizons.

Basically I'm looking for something that can heal and buff the party with a hefty splash of defender, or vice-versa (I think the latter would be easier, as it's hard to splash "defender"). DM's fine with tailoring encounters so it's not *that* big a deal, but I like to be helpful.

Right now I'm looking at the Bard and Swordmage (shielding) the most. Does the Swordmage have a good chunk of powers that target Will? I also like the Divine Oracle pp, so I was thinking of Swordmage/Cleric multi. On the other hand, Bard is awfully good at multi-ing all over the place, which I like. His free bard rituals thing also fascinates me, although we've already got a wizard so it might be stepping on toes. Hmm.
#2
lost_in_the_trees
Jun 02, 2009 18:20:20 I'm playing a Chrisma Paladin in our current campaign and loving it. Ticks all the boxes you are looking at except the Arcane.

Although very early levels I felt that some of the powers are a waste of time, there is a sprinkleing of very good ones that make the party glad to have me along.

At times I have stood in for both our Defender and Leader, without to many hiccups, and always seem to find myself busy during encounters.

Just some thoughts.
#3
sjmcc13
Jun 02, 2009 18:39:30 If the group has access to insider content, you could always consider a hybrid character if you can not decide.

That said, I say Bard, but that is due to over enthusiasm for the class.
That said a bard gives the needed healing
The rituals will not clash with the wizards, as the bard rituals are ones he can not cast, and the other ritual just adds to the groups total # known, Mr(s). Wizard will still be better at them then you are.
Also, If you make a Melee bard build, you just might be able to get that defender feel, as you would be in the middle of the fight, taking hits for the rest of the party, and misdirected mark might be useful as well.
#4
rikiji
Jun 02, 2009 18:42:19 A bard would work very well - they're solid healers with a dab of melee and can multiclass into anything else you might want to do. If you stick with Bard rituals you shouldn't step on the Wizard's toes.

Swordmage has very few powers that target Will. There are a handful of powers in Arcane Power, but not enough to really work well with Divine Oracle (you'd have trouble filling half your power slots and none of the at-wills target Will) . Plus focusing heavily in Wisdom is probably not a good option for the class (it's a tertiary stat). Aegis of Shielding is useful, but it's not as versatile as a dedicated healing abilty.
#5
warweaver
Jun 02, 2009 19:15:28 Hmm. Maybe it would be a good idea to go with Bard, multi into Cleric, and take Divine Oracle and go for the vs Will powers he has, then. Hopefully I'd still be able to devote a good number of powers to buffs while staying effective...I daresay I could be dominating a lot. :P

Anyone have any particular pps/eds that they recommend for such a bard (buffer/defender/healer)?
#6
Seeker95
Jun 02, 2009 19:15:48 Bard or Warlord is my suggestion. This party needs a leader, especially because it has all the offensive stamina needed to let you make them not worry about not having a cleric!
#7
LFK
Jun 02, 2009 20:49:25 Hmmmmm...

I'm tempted to also suggest Bard just because I love them, but I honestly think Shaman might be what you're looking for. It's probably the hardest class to play, but it has what you're looking for. The Spirit Companion serves a Defender-esque role by taking up space, mitigating damage, and discouraging free-movement of enemy formations, while Shaman powers (many channeled through the SC) buff and heal nearby allies. They also go fairly well with Cleric for a base multi-class, since the Healing Word 1/day as a direct target heal is a pretty sweet deal (shamans rely mostly on lots and lots of small heals), and they have enough vs. Will powers to really justify Divine Oracle (though it's a sweet PP even without the L.16 feature). They don't have a level 1 Encounter vs. Will, but by 16 that's not an issue, and the vs. Will attacks they do have are hardly their worst powers, even if they're not always their best. I've always gotten the impression from your posts, Warweaver, that you're a fairly involved player, so I think the Shaman would present a challenge you'd find engaging on a bunch of different levels.

In all honesty, from playing a Bard, Defender is the role they have the least of in them.

Paladin is a primary defender with some decent healing, and the option of some good party buffs once the levels start piling up, and their vs. Will attacks are some of their best powers.
#8
warweaver
Jun 03, 2009 2:18:02 Thanks for the in-depth reply, LFK! I am definitely going to have to give the Shaman a look-see now. I'm a sucker for the arcane, but reflavoring is easy enough. One thing about 4e's balance - it makes a guy like me who enjoys all sorts of character-types have to make tough decisions... >_>
#9
Novacat
Jun 03, 2009 23:39:48
Human Avenger
Human Wizard (summoning specialty)
Dragonborn Fighter
Gnome Rogue
Half-elf Warlock (unable to make next session)

Some things sprung immediately to mind, i.e. a leader and/or another defender. I personally like arcane classes, but if you think something else would fit well, please do suggest it as I'm fine with expanding my horizons.

Basically I'm looking for something that can heal and buff the party with a hefty splash of defender, or vice-versa (I think the latter would be easier, as it's hard to splash "defender"). DM's fine with tailoring encounters so it's not *that* big a deal, but I like to be helpful.

I've gotta recommend Warlord, but I will admit that I've got some kind of twisted love affair going with the Warlord class, and I probably tend to recommend it too much. However, here are my reasons:

You've got a fighter and two melee strikers. A taclord would be a wet dream for them, and would provide the healing to avoid the headaches of long fights. A warlord can wield a shield, heavy armor, and front-line it as well as any non-defender, and I think it may even have a couple marking powers at higher levels. A multiclass into fighter would give you some limited defender ability, if you find that your party could use an extra one.
#10
warweaver
Jun 04, 2009 16:59:42 Thanks Novacat - I think I'm going with bear shaman, but I had to seriously think about a warlord for a while. A taclord would certainly be awesome-squared. Really the only reason I went with shaman is it was the first one I hit upon a fun concept/backstory for. Also I think LFK might be right that more complexity/options for me equals more enjoyment (not that the warlord doesn't have lots of fun options).

You can find the (fledgling) build here, and I welcome everyone's input.

I'll have to put up the flavor I did sometime too.
#11
Novacat
Jun 04, 2009 20:08:57
Really the only reason I went with shaman is it was the first one I hit upon a fun concept/backstory for.

This is all that matters. May your battles be epic.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 warweaver Jun 02, 2009 17:37:44	Hi all. I'm getting into a new 4e campaign soon, and I'm the kind of guy who likes playing just about anything (I can come up with a good enough bio to be interested in whatever), so long as it's helping out the party. To that end, here's the party so far (I'm jumping in on the third session, level 1): Human Avenger Human Wizard (summoning specialty) Dragonborn Fighter Gnome Rogue Half-elf Warlock (unable to make next session) Some things sprung immediately to mind, i.e. a leader and/or another defender. I personally like arcane classes, but if you think something else would fit well, please do suggest it as I'm fine with expanding my horizons. Basically I'm looking for something that can heal and buff the party with a hefty splash of defender, or vice-versa (I think the latter would be easier, as it's hard to splash "defender"). DM's fine with tailoring encounters so it's not that big a deal, but I like to be helpful. Right now I'm looking at the Bard and Swordmage (shielding) the most. Does the Swordmage have a good chunk of powers that target Will? I also like the Divine Oracle pp, so I was thinking of Swordmage/Cleric multi. On the other hand, Bard is awfully good at multi-ing all over the place, which I like. His free bard rituals thing also fascinates me, although we've already got a wizard so it might be stepping on toes. Hmm.
#2 lost_in_the_trees Jun 02, 2009 18:20:20	I'm playing a Chrisma Paladin in our current campaign and loving it. Ticks all the boxes you are looking at except the Arcane. Although very early levels I felt that some of the powers are a waste of time, there is a sprinkleing of very good ones that make the party glad to have me along. At times I have stood in for both our Defender and Leader, without to many hiccups, and always seem to find myself busy during encounters. Just some thoughts.
#3 sjmcc13 Jun 02, 2009 18:39:30	If the group has access to insider content, you could always consider a hybrid character if you can not decide. That said, I say Bard, but that is due to over enthusiasm for the class. That said a bard gives the needed healing The rituals will not clash with the wizards, as the bard rituals are ones he can not cast, and the other ritual just adds to the groups total # known, Mr(s). Wizard will still be better at them then you are. Also, If you make a Melee bard build, you just might be able to get that defender feel, as you would be in the middle of the fight, taking hits for the rest of the party, and misdirected mark might be useful as well.
#4 rikiji Jun 02, 2009 18:42:19	A bard would work very well - they're solid healers with a dab of melee and can multiclass into anything else you might want to do. If you stick with Bard rituals you shouldn't step on the Wizard's toes. Swordmage has very few powers that target Will. There are a handful of powers in Arcane Power, but not enough to really work well with Divine Oracle (you'd have trouble filling half your power slots and none of the at-wills target Will) . Plus focusing heavily in Wisdom is probably not a good option for the class (it's a tertiary stat). Aegis of Shielding is useful, but it's not as versatile as a dedicated healing abilty.
#5 warweaver Jun 02, 2009 19:15:28	Hmm. Maybe it would be a good idea to go with Bard, multi into Cleric, and take Divine Oracle and go for the vs Will powers he has, then. Hopefully I'd still be able to devote a good number of powers to buffs while staying effective...I daresay I could be dominating a lot. :P Anyone have any particular pps/eds that they recommend for such a bard (buffer/defender/healer)?
#6 Seeker95 Jun 02, 2009 19:15:48	Bard or Warlord is my suggestion. This party needs a leader, especially because it has all the offensive stamina needed to let you make them not worry about not having a cleric!
#7 LFK Jun 02, 2009 20:49:25	Hmmmmm... I'm tempted to also suggest Bard just because I love them, but I honestly think Shaman might be what you're looking for. It's probably the hardest class to play, but it has what you're looking for. The Spirit Companion serves a Defender-esque role by taking up space, mitigating damage, and discouraging free-movement of enemy formations, while Shaman powers (many channeled through the SC) buff and heal nearby allies. They also go fairly well with Cleric for a base multi-class, since the Healing Word 1/day as a direct target heal is a pretty sweet deal (shamans rely mostly on lots and lots of small heals), and they have enough vs. Will powers to really justify Divine Oracle (though it's a sweet PP even without the L.16 feature). They don't have a level 1 Encounter vs. Will, but by 16 that's not an issue, and the vs. Will attacks they do have are hardly their worst powers, even if they're not always their best. I've always gotten the impression from your posts, Warweaver, that you're a fairly involved player, so I think the Shaman would present a challenge you'd find engaging on a bunch of different levels. In all honesty, from playing a Bard, Defender is the role they have the least of in them. Paladin is a primary defender with some decent healing, and the option of some good party buffs once the levels start piling up, and their vs. Will attacks are some of their best powers.
#8 warweaver Jun 03, 2009 2:18:02	Thanks for the in-depth reply, LFK! I am definitely going to have to give the Shaman a look-see now. I'm a sucker for the arcane, but reflavoring is easy enough. One thing about 4e's balance - it makes a guy like me who enjoys all sorts of character-types have to make tough decisions... >_>
#9 Novacat Jun 03, 2009 23:39:48	Human Avenger Human Wizard (summoning specialty) Dragonborn Fighter Gnome Rogue Half-elf Warlock (unable to make next session) Some things sprung immediately to mind, i.e. a leader and/or another defender. I personally like arcane classes, but if you think something else would fit well, please do suggest it as I'm fine with expanding my horizons. Basically I'm looking for something that can heal and buff the party with a hefty splash of defender, or vice-versa (I think the latter would be easier, as it's hard to splash "defender"). DM's fine with tailoring encounters so it's not that big a deal, but I like to be helpful. I've gotta recommend Warlord, but I will admit that I've got some kind of twisted love affair going with the Warlord class, and I probably tend to recommend it too much. However, here are my reasons: You've got a fighter and two melee strikers. A taclord would be a wet dream for them, and would provide the healing to avoid the headaches of long fights. A warlord can wield a shield, heavy armor, and front-line it as well as any non-defender, and I think it may even have a couple marking powers at higher levels. A multiclass into fighter would give you some limited defender ability, if you find that your party could use an extra one.
#10 warweaver Jun 04, 2009 16:59:42	Thanks Novacat - I think I'm going with bear shaman, but I had to seriously think about a warlord for a while. A taclord would certainly be awesome-squared. Really the only reason I went with shaman is it was the first one I hit upon a fun concept/backstory for. Also I think LFK might be right that more complexity/options for me equals more enjoyment (not that the warlord doesn't have lots of fun options). You can find the (fledgling) build here, and I welcome everyone's input. I'll have to put up the flavor I did sometime too.
#11 Novacat Jun 04, 2009 20:08:57	Really the only reason I went with shaman is it was the first one I hit upon a fun concept/backstory for. This is all that matters. May your battles be epic.