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2010-01-03, 12:27 AM (ISO 8601)
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[4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
I bought the 4e PHB shortly after it came out, but because I have little money and no 4e group, I haven't bought anything else. Which books would be most worth my time as an openminded player? Which are best for a player who prefers skill-heavy, highly survivable characters?
And what is there to like about the warlord class? I'm coming from the position that attacks targeting AC should generally be avoided because they're less likely to hit than Fort/Refl/Will. And plenty of the warlord's special effects (in terms of battlefield control and healing) rely on successful attack rolls. Their proficiencies, skills and HP are simply average. I also dislike the whole "public speaking = healing" thing, but at least that could just be refluffed. Aaaaanyway -- so, in people's experience, does the warlord perform well and contribute to the party, or does it end up being something you play only because it fits the character concept you had in mind?
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2010-01-03, 12:35 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Sep 2006
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Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
Well, for books, you at least want the DM to have access to the DMG and MM. It would probably be worthwhile to get a one-month DDI subscription to pick up all the stuff like the character builder and all the published issues of Dragon and Dungeon magazines.
As for the Warlord...
The thing about attacking AC is that while AC is higher than the other defenses, you're attacking it with a weapon that has a proficiency bonus. If you get +3 to hit against a defense that's 3 points higher, it evens out in the end.
And the Warlord is very, very good at its job. It isn't as good at healing as the Cleric or Artificer, but not much can match a Taclord when it comes to making the party more effective. And when you total up the amount of pain that extra effectiveness causes to the enemy, you see that the Warlord brings a LOT of firepower to the table.Last edited by Artanis; 2010-01-03 at 12:36 AM.
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2010-01-03, 12:37 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Feb 2005
Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
The best investment for you is probably a month of DDI. Grab the Character Builder and as many Dragon and Dragon magazines as you can, and you'll get quite the benefit.
And what is there to like about the warlord class? I'm coming from the position that attacks targeting AC should generally be avoided because they're less likely to hit than Fort/Refl/Will. And plenty of the warlord's special effects (in terms of battlefield control and healing) rely on successful attack rolls. Their proficiencies, skills and HP are simply average. I also dislike the whole "public speaking = healing" thing, but at least that could just be refluffed. Aaaaanyway -- so, in people's experience, does the warlord perform well and contribute to the party, or does it end up being something you play only because it fits the character concept you had in mind?
It is true that plenty of Warlord's effects depend on hitting: That is why warlords are one of the classes most obsessed with getting a high hit bonus. +3 Proficiency weapons, Weapon Expertise (Feat from PHB2: +1 to hit, +2 at 15, +3 at 25) and a few other tricks for them are the norm.
On hitting Non-AC-Defenses (NADs):
Fortitude - AC averages to -1.39
Reflex - AC averages to -2.75
Will - AC averages to -3.31
So with a +3 Proficiency weapon, you have about the same chance to hit as an implement wielder attack reflex or will. If you have a +2 weapon, you are a bit better off then an implement wielder attacking Fortitude.
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2010-01-03, 12:52 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
Heh. Hitting NADs. I take it, then, that there's no "Implement Expertise" to match?
To further explore the warlord topic, I'll also ask: which powers in the first PHB stand out the most in terms of aiding allies, and why are those better than level-equivalent powers of other classes? Artanis's example of Commander's Strike is a good starting point. When I looked at that, I just thought "oh, that's a plain attack plus a little extra damage". Now that I've spent a moment thinking about it, it's also much more targetable than melee at-will powers are, since it can affect any monster in melee with an ally anywhere, and it could potentially be boosted by bracers of mighty striking and gauntlets ofogre powerdestruction. Much better than the first glance indicated. So what else is strong?Last edited by Dimers; 2010-01-04 at 01:09 AM. Reason: wrong item!
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2010-01-03, 01:03 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Dec 2007
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- UTC -6
Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
Of course there is. However, Implement attacks are 2-3 points lower than a weapon attack regardless, and Weapon attacks can also bring out the big guns such as the Mordenkrad and Fullblade, or even the reliable Bastard Sword and Greatspear.
Other super-powerful attacks are Warlord's Favor (+Massive to ally's next attack) and Lead the Attack (+Massive to allies within area for entire encounter). The moment you underestimate a Tactical Warlord's ability to rally the party is the moment the Ranger or Barbarian smashes your skull in multiple times a round. Warlords don't make things a bloody paste themselves, they make the guy who's good at it do it for him, and more frequently than anyone has a right to.
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2010-01-03, 01:11 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
Not only are the warlord's buffs top notch, it's also the leader class that probably fares best on its own, due to having highest raw damage from them all and second highest defenses. Constitution-based artificers are sturdier, but their damage is lacking in comparison.
Last edited by Tengu_temp; 2010-01-03 at 01:12 AM.
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2010-01-03, 01:47 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Oct 2009
Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
It also matters on the warlord's teammates. if you have swordmage as defender and warlock or thief as striker the warlord is going to be less effective. if you have fighters, wardens, barbarians, and 2H-rangers, he will be more effective (str based to make better use of the plethora of 'free basic melee' coupons the warlord comes with) but generally yes, the Warlord's prime purpose is to make everyone else better at their job with a secondary of keeping them in one piece. I really do suggest keeping with the +3 prof weapon for him since the damage you deal with the attack is moot.
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2010-01-03, 01:50 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Dec 2009
Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
Wait you only have to get one month of DDI and they can't do much about you having the full character creator or full encounter creator?
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2010-01-03, 02:28 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Jan 2007
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2010-01-03, 02:56 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Dec 2009
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2010-01-03, 03:05 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Oct 2008
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- Riotsville, BC
Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
[QUOTE=Dimers;7617651]I bought the 4e PHB shortly after it came out, but because I have little money and no 4e group, I haven't bought anything else. Which books would be most worth my time as an openminded player? Which are best for a player who prefers skill-heavy, highly survivable characters?
[QUOTE]
I don't think anyone has mentioned this, but the PHB2 is really good for skill-heavy characters. It has both Shaman and Bard which each have nice skill boosting powers. I find survivability in 4e depends on how you build your character more than your class. Wizards can be about as hard to kill as Paladins. I haven't played a bard myself, but I can say from experiance that the shaman's spirit companion can make a huge difference in the party's survivability in a fight.
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2010-01-03, 07:51 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Dec 2006
Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
While we haven't had any other leaders playing in my campaign, I can assure you that every time that the party power-gamer smiles at me and tells me what his Bravura Warlord is going to do next, I, as DM, get a sinking feeling in my stomach. A well-placed string of successful warlord attacks can completely throw the balance of the game into the party's favour. And don't even get me started on solos....
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2010-01-03, 01:38 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
Once in a one-off session, a party I was in killed a level appropriate solo before it could take an action because of the bonuses granted to us by our warlord. Granted, it was at level 26, but out opponent was an ancient black dragon, and dragons are considered some of the toughest solos around.
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2010-01-03, 03:29 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
I find the warlord being my favorite leader, they can be nasty even with sub optimal builds. Of course letting your rogue attack after you run up and flank an enemy is always nice (i love the warlord's at will)
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2010-01-03, 05:30 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
Thanks for all the advice, everyone!
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2010-01-03, 07:13 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
Warlords are the best buff machines in existence in 4e. Three of them, at level 27, can reliably kill Tiamat before she gets to act. Even without that extreme, they take one of the fundamental basics of 4e rules design philosophy - that bonuses on attack rolls are strictly regulated to end up in a certain narrow range based on level - and tear it to shreds. A party with a warlord buffing their attack rolls is an order of magnitude more powerful than one without.
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2010-01-03, 08:32 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
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2010-01-03, 09:19 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Dec 2009
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- Pittsburgh
Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
There was a battle that the only thing my warlord did was move into tactical positions, commander's strike, and inspiring word once. It was fun to see the DM frown every time it was my turn :p
Also depending on how your DM see's it there are some at wills that count as a basic melee attack that commander's strike would work for ... ;) (like fighter's wicked strike or warlock's eldricth strike)
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2010-01-03, 09:46 PM (ISO 8601)
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2010-01-03, 10:20 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Dec 2009
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Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
It seems like those at wills were made more for opportunity attacks and charges (barbarian has one also i think)..
Opening shove and brash assault are other powers that can give free attacks to allies but they only get to if the warlord hits.
Warlord is a great leader all the way to the core.
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2010-01-03, 10:30 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Dec 2006
Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
It's all designed to work together. Powers that "can be used as a melee basic attack" can be used when a Warlord grants you a melee basic, and the same with ranged. If it just says "grants a basic attack" you can use a melee or ranged basic.
Everyone can use a Melee Basic Attack and Ranged Basic Attack: they're just [W]+Str for melee, [W]+Dex for ranged.
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2010-01-03, 11:42 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
I didn't mean to come off as meaning they couldn't just that they originally weren't meant to be used that way *shrug* I explained it wrong ^ ^
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2010-01-04, 12:11 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
I thought the only at-will in the PHB (not PHB2) that counted as a "basic attack" was magic missile. And while I can dig mm for what it is, that's an ability of just one class, and it's of the less-frequently-invoked ranged type. Does PHB2 introduce the other "basic attacks" people are talking about here?
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2010-01-04, 12:22 AM (ISO 8601)
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2010-01-04, 01:06 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Oct 2009
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Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
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2010-01-04, 01:18 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Mar 2009
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2010-01-04, 01:35 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
Somehow I missed the question from the first post that I quoted above. I'll answer it now.
There are quite a few powers which count as at-will basic attacks.
Fighter: Wicked Strike (MBA) from Dragon 379
Paladin: Virtuous Strike (MBA) from Divine Power
Warlock: Eldritch Blast (RBA) from PHB
Warlock: Eldritch Strike (MBA) from PH Heroes: Series 1
Wizard: Magic Missile (RBA) from PHB
Druid: Grasping Claws (MBA) from PHB2
Druid: Savage Rend (MBA) from PHB2
Invoker: Avenging Light (RBA) from PHB2
Invoker: Sun Strike (RBA) from PHB2
Sorcerer: Acid Orb (RBA) from PHB2
Sorcerer: Dragonfrost (RBA) from PHB2
Seeker: Stinging Swarm (RBA) from PHB3 (released in Dragon magazine articles)
As other people have mentioned, anyone can take a regular melee or ranged basic attack, as defined in the PHB on page 287. While a Barbarian does not have an at-will power basic attack, they can make a normal basic attack, much to the dismay of many foes, for example.
Was this closer to what you were wanting?
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2010-01-04, 11:02 AM (ISO 8601)
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2010-01-04, 11:16 AM (ISO 8601)
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2010-01-04, 11:32 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Dec 2009
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- Pittsburgh
Re: [4e] purchasing advice, and why warlords?
warlord gets to give a melee basic attack so things like magic missile (unless a dragon magazine feat is taken) don't count.