D&D 4E Miscibility Table: A 4e Hybrid Handbook(by MwaO)

Introduction

So you've chosen to be a Hybrid. In doing so, you've chosen to be just about two of anything. Maybe a little better, worse, explosively good, or not work at all. This guide examines the base values of each class, how they've changed by becoming hybrids, and whether or not they mix well with others. This guide is primarily concentrating on the basics - I'm not looking to comment on how to build a better feycharger, but to simply point out where builds that will be enjoyable to play that have a range of optimization levels can be found.

I want to emphasize here - in many ways, being a Hybrid is essentially spending a feat(Hybrid Talent or some kind of +AC feat) for better power selection and to a lesser extent, more feat options. If you're bad at picking powers, Hybrids are going to seem very weak and very few things will work. If you're good at picking powers, they'll seem about as strong as your typical builds. If you're great, they'll be fantastic compared to normal - simply because most classes are limited in the number of truly great powers that they have - 1-2 encounter powers, 1-2 daily powers, and 1-4 utility powers typically. So if the end result feels very weak, post in this Enworld forum so we can take a look at it and help out.

If you're looking for a good list of powers to take for your hybrid, look at the Poachable Powers Handbook

Link to Original Thread: This is a link to the original thread in the Wayback Time Machine if you want to access commentary.



Ratings
GOLDindicates what is essentially a must-have option, a rare gem indeed.
Sky Blue options should be strongly considered, as these are optimal choices.
Blue options are very good; they're generally useful and often optimal depending on build.
Blackis average. Solid option, but you could probably do better (you're pretty safe sticking with these for thematic reasons, though).
Purple indicates a below average choice, but for certain character builds (or to preserve thematic consistency) it's still viable. Still, you shouldn't choose too many of these.
Red is pretty much junk. Take it at your own risk, but remember that you were warned.

Sources
PHB = Players Handbook
PHB2 = Players Handbook 2
PHB3 = Players Handbook 3
PrP = Primal Power (may also be referred to as PP, though I'll try to be consistent)
MP = Martial Power
AV = Adventurer's Vault
AV2 = Adventurer's Vault 2
D### = Dragon issue ###
PHH = Players Handbook Heroes minis set

Common Abbreviations
MBA = melee basic attack
RBA = ranged basic attack
OA = opportunity attack
NAD = non-AC defenses (Fortitude, Reflex, and Will)

Acknowledgements

LDB for the standardized format.

Everyone that posts with commentary/suggestions.

Class Overview

Class Features, etc.
Weapon/Implement:Weapon users don’t usually mix with well Implements and vice-versa. A class with a Weapon that can be used as an Implement has a huge advantage. Swordmages in particular, but weapons that have the option of being used as an implement for the class are good too. There are a number of good combo feats - Staff Expertise, White Lotus Expertise(Arcane/BA only), Devout Protector Expertise, Mighty Crusader Expertise, War Wizard's Expertise(for Light/Heavy Blades/Arcane/BA only), Ki Focus Expertise and Versatile Expertise. Each of them have their flaws - Staff isn't a great weapon, Devout/Mighty require two items, Ki Focus doesn't have great choices, White/War are limited to Arcane, and Versatile doesn't give anything extra.
Slotless Implement: Easy to mix, gives strong options to other classes. Still requires an extra item if mixing with weapon class unless Ki Focus. But Ki Focus choices are not that great.
Weapon: Nothing wrong, but stick to two weapon-using classes.
Handheld Implement: Nothing wrong, but stick to two-implement using classes.
Useful Items when a Slot isn't being Used: Rain of Hammer Ki Focus +1, Shielding Dagger/Shortsword +1, Rhythm Blade Dagger/Shortsword +1(if you have Two-Weapon Defense), Aversion Staff +1, Defensive Staff +1, Orb of Nimble Thoughts +X. Disembodied Hand/Rakhasa Claw Familiars great ways to swap in and out.
Attributes
Note: Recommended starting values are post-racial bonuses.
Primaries:Keep these two your highest. Strongly consider a race that boosts at least one of them, if not both. Recommended starting value: 16-18, 20s in some limited cases. If your race has a built-in after the fact accuracy bonus(Human, Elf, Deva) and you rarely use attack powers from one class, that primary can be weaker.
Secondaries:: If you can make one of your primary stats a secondary stat for the other class, that’s what usually makes a secondary stat dark blue. Watch out for secondary stats that either have had a big downgrade due to the nature of the hybrid or are completely outside both classes. Recommended starting value: 10-18.
Tertiaries Usually a trap, but there are a couple of classes that have the same tertiary stats. Could be worth a 12-13. Recommended starting value: 10-13.

Sample Ability Spreads
Note: All examples are 1st level, pre-racial mods. Abilities are presented in order of array values:
Balanced: 16, 16, 12, 12, 10, 8. This array qualifies you for potential 18s in both classes.
Single primary stat: 18, 14, 11, 10, 10, 8. This is for a hybrid that has just one primary stat, hopefully with strong defensive values such as Dex, Int, or Con.
Unbalanced: 16, 14, 14, 13, 10, 8. For the class that has a strong primary stat for one class and a weak primary for the other and multiple important secondaries. i.e. you end up with 1 encounter and 1 daily from your weak primary class.
Weirdly unbalanced: 17, 15, 13, 10, 10, 8. For the class that has a strong primary stat for one class, a weak primary for the other and an important tertiary. i.e. you end up with 1 encounter and 1 daily from your weak primary class.

Races
PHB Races
Dragonborn: One of two race that does Str/Cha. Con/Cha isn't bad either. Accesses not just all the Str primary classes, but can mix them with the Cha primary classes.
Dwarf: Dwarves are okay. While there are a number of good Wisdom classes, Con is really just Warlock(and not all of Warlock) and it doesn’t really appreciate Wisdom at all. Battlemind is a newer exception, but for the most part, Battlemind is a weak marking hybrid - it marks easily, but it needs another Defender class to take advantage of the mark. Str adds some options, but Str/Con is the standard "I'm sacrificing a defense" move. Feat support is very strong, though.
Eladrin: Major upgrade from having Int/Cha as an option. Lots of good class choices open up there(and simply not needing to put Dex with Int on Int-based classes is a major upgrade)
Elf:Dex/Wis opens up a lot of good Archer + Wis class options. Only downside is that an Archer needs a bow and likely requires two weapons and/or implements. Dex/Int opens up some interesting choices if you're in love with Elven Accuracy.
Half Elf: Dilettante strangely enough isn’t as good as it usually is - many Striker-critical class features won’t work with it as they would normally. But they boost Cha and it can still be used to supplement whatever the primary role of the PC is going to be. Con/Wis has some additional choices, but nothing spectacular.
Halfling: Dex/Cha wouldn’t be especially bad except that they’ll likely end up being a Striker/Striker of some sort. Dex/Con allows for Battlemind/Striker, which is decent.
Human:3 at-wills or better yet, Heroic Effort. And the extra feat is awesome. Only downside is that they'd prefer their primary to be in the same stat.
Tiefling: Strong pair of stats. Many classes use both Int and/or Cha in some way. Cha/Con doesn't open up a lot of additional options, but it is hard to ignore all the crazy feat support that Tieflings have gotten access to.

PHB2 Races:
Deva: See Tiefling. Int/Wis is a slight upgrade on Int/Cha.
Gnome: Same stats as the Tiefling. But Small and not the same feat support.
Goliath: Nothing horribly wrong here except Con really only fits Warlock or Battlemind, which greatly limits some of the options and stats figure in the same defense. Which is usually not as valuable for a hybrid.
Half-Orc: A solid choice. Ranger goes with everything, Monk is strong, and Rogue isn’t bad. Would be Dark Blue except that Dex doesn’t really go that well with Str in the context of less class features. Dex/Con isn't a major upgrade to that either. Still, if you're going for a Str/Dex hybrid, there isn't a huge number of places to go.
Longtooth Shifter: Str/Wis has a lot of classes with at least partial support for that pair.
Razorclaw Shifter:Same stat bonuses as the Elf, without the other little perks.

PHB3 Races:
Githzerai: Similar to Elf or Deva, not quite as good as a Deva.
Minotaur: See Goliath and Longtooth Shifter. Slightly weaker support, but Str/Wis is a very good set of stats.
Shardmind:See Deva and Tiefling. Not as good support.
Wilden: Stat bonuses of the Dwarf or Elf. Not as good support.

Controllers

In general, Controllers work best with Leader or Striker as their other half. They've usually been too dinged on defensive values to be any good at doing Defender and by picking Controller, they're often exchanging somewhat significant class features for additional power choice. As Wizard is usually going to be one of the choices and has so many great powers, this usually results in a net negative(though in the case of the Invoker|Wizard, a small net negative) - needs to be said, though - Wizard doesn't have a lot of great powers in Heroic and a couple of other classes do.

AC should typically be around 14-16 - a Wizard hybrid with an 18 Int being the low and a hybrid with access to Hide Armor+18 Int/Dex, such as Invoker hybrid.

Druids:
Summary: Sentinel is almost strictly better by RAW unless you're here for a beastform MBA or the very nice encounter power Infiltrating Drone and don't want one of the Were-themes. Most of the best powers are non-beast form and Were-themes are an option if you have to have a beast form. Hybrid Sentinel could be interpreted that they shouldn't have encounter choices similar to actual Sentinels, and some players or DMs may not be comfortable with that. If you're in one of those games, Druids shoot up to Blue.
Stats: Wisdom mostly.
Class Features: Wild shape is okay, but being action-limited in Wild Shape can be really dangerous - that you can't use any of the attack powers of the other class is really bad. The best hybrid builds seem to ignore Wild Shape.
Implement: Decent implement/weapon choice, but as Quarterstaff has limited melee uses, not as good as it could have been.
At-Wills: Magic Stones represents a top-tier controller at-will.
Hybrid Feat benefits: There are a couple of interesting options here — riders for some builds' powers are powerful
Interesting Builds: Given Druids relatively solid hit points/surges for a controller, they make a very strong mix with almost any Dex/Wis or Int/Wis build. They're not a bad Con/Wis option either. Druid also has some Second Wind options available in Paragon with Wild Shape.
Options of Note: WereX themes allow a Druid hybrid to use Beastform Powers and Weapon/Implement powers at the same time. This also opens up Charge options via Stampede(+boots) and Enraged Boar Form.

Invokers:
Summary: Good control, one main stat for the most part, very strong at-will option.
Stats: All Wisdom unless you take the Int-Divine Channel option via Hybrid feat.
Class Features:You get a good feature in the form of the Covenant Manifestation. It does not specify that you have a Covenant(Hybrid) and take that into consideration because it can cause ETV. Hit points, surges are limited. Good basic armor.
Implement: Decent implement/weapon choice, but as Quarterstaff has limited melee uses, not as good as it could have been.
At-Wills: Two really great choices of at-wills(Divine Bolts and Hand of Radiance), but you wouldn't take both. Better choices exist elsewhere, which really makes Invoker Hybrid a strong early choice.
Hybrid Feat benefits: Divine Channeling is excellent for Int-based characters.
Interesting Builds: Invoker|Cleric - one slotless implement. Invoker|Wizard. Mix of control. Invoker|Shaman - Con/Wis, but works with human. Can pick up the spirit with the hybrid feat with no real loss. No implement issues.



Ranger(Hunter)
Summary: Don't be a Hunter. Be a regular Human Ranger or Half-Elf with the Dilettante feat for a Ranger at-will who happens to have Archery Mastery. That, and Hunter isn't a legal hybrid.

Wizards:
Summary:Easy mixing with other classes, especially Int, Wis, Con, or Cha. Lots of solid racial choices(Tiefling, Gnome, Changeling, Deva, Human, Genasi, Eladrin).
Stats: Int + whatever you want your implement to be.
Class Features:You get the best parts of Wizard and most of it is replaceable by feats.
Implement: Decent implement/weapon choice.
At-Wills:Wizard has a few too many good at-wills. You'll likely end up sacrificing somewhere by hybriding. Still, not a horrible place to be. Makes a strong case for Human.
Hybrid Feat benefits: Arcane Implement Mastery is great. But you can easily get by without it. Good to have choices regardless.
Interesting Builds: Pretty much anything with Int, Wis, Con, or Cha as a primary stat.




Psion
Summary: Easy mixing with other classes, especially Int, Wis, or Cha. Lots of solid racial choices(Tiefling, Gnome, Changeling, Deva, Human, Genasi, Eladrin) - due to it being a lot newer than Wizard, not quite as good. Why it isn't black is due to its ability to have 3 total at-wills, not 2 like everyone else.
Stats: Int + Wis or Cha. Lots of options.
Class Features: You get the best parts of Psion and there's really no strong reason to spend a feat on the hybrid option.
Implement: Decent implement/weapon choice, but as Quarterstaff has limited melee uses, not as good as it could have been.
At-Wills: Lots of solid choices and Augment 1s look very suspiciously like at-wills once you get to high enough level. Strong case here for Human - you'll want to sacrifice Dishearten or Mind Thrust at paragon/epic, but this allows the character to retain the basic benefit - simple at-will debuff or RBA.
Hybrid Feat benefits: Telekinetic free action shoving things around, particularly at twice an encounter is quite powerful
Interesting Builds: Psion|Avenger - surprisingly interesting due to the ability for a human to take an 18 in Int and a 16 in Wis. One of the few multi-stat Human builds. Avenger brings Holy Symbol into play and can grant a 19 AC at 1st level by spending the obvious feats. Many obvious Wizard|X combos work for Psion as well.
Warning: You are going to want a good Cha or Wis score or your riders will suffer greatly


Seeker
Summary: Do Ranged Control until you miss, then blow things up with Inevitable Shot, then do your other class. And the Hybrid Feat benefit.
Stats: Dex is not especially great here, but Str/Wis can have a lot of options, particularly if you multiclass into Assassin for the ability to ki-focus all your weapon choices. Other Wis|X stats can work reasonably well - just pick powers without riders based on stats. As you kind of want to miss as fast as possible, having only a 16 Wis is okay.
Class Features: Inevitable Shot(Hybrid) basically determines how this hybrid behaves. i.e. you want to trigger this class feature, possibly reactivate it with an action point, then move on to your other class.
Weapon: Bow
At-Wills: Decent, but not spectacular at-wills. It is important to pick a Seeker power that works as a Ranged Basic attack. Half-Elves can now pick a Ranger at-will as their dilettante, then take the Archery Mastery feat to replace it with an RBA upgrade option. Rapid Shot could be a lot of fun with Eagle Eye Goggles.
Hybrid Feat benefits: Very strong. Str to AC and +1 to hit with thrown weapons? Makes a lot of interesting Ranged options work for primarily melee types.
Interesting Builds: Builds that use weapons that have Wis as a secondary stat. Str Ranger|Seeker - no need for Chainmail proficiency, solid opening move, +1 to hit with thrown weapons(note this is not when specifically throwing them, it is based on the property...). Artificer|Seeker - at first, doesn't seem quite natural, but there's a lot of useful bow alignment. Warlord|Seeker. +1 to hit with all your ranged attack powers and Str to AC can really make this work.




Warlock(Binder)
Summary:Be a Star Pact + Nova Striker. Blow things up, then turn invisible. What's not to like? Completely cornercase - gain the big benefit of being a permastealth build(be invisible some of the time) without needing to commit significant resources to being invisible all the time.
Stats: Cha/Dex works well with many things. Cha/Int. As you're generally trying to avoid Binder encounter powers, this is really a Cha-only in terms of need class.
Class Features: Keep most of the somewhat decent features, but nothing crazy good
Implement: Standard implement fare.
At-Wills/Encounters:Interesting question is how do at-wills work? Does the build really get no at-wills from the Binder(or maybe the Warlock) side? Does Pact choice limit Encounters from Binder side? Is there access to Warlock? Who knows.
Hybrid Feat benefits:Shadow Walk is solid, though available for poaching via MC'ing into Assassin.
Interesting Builds: Binder|Rogue. Binder|Ranger. Binder|Barbarian. Binder|Sorcerer. Note the trend? Striker with Dex, possibly Cha.

Defenders

Defender in its best scenarios, is a case of using the mark/aura mechanism at the same time that you use the other class powers. So a Striker|Defender tries to do a lot of damage to its marked target. A Leader|Defender helps set up the party Striker to do lots of damage while contributing a mark to protect the Striker. A Controller|Defender is a bit wacky, but usually is an excuse to do as many control powers as possible while distributing marks. Defenders almost always want to get Defender-level defenses - starting AC of 18-20, maybe 17 - this usually means taking the Hybrid Talent on the Defender AC option. Aversion Staff +1(+2 item defense to anyone with an effect from you), if Staffs are an implement, works with marks, so that can be an interesting way to deal with it.

Defender|Defender can be an extraordinarily effective Defender, particularly in Heroic, due to its usual ability to easily multi-mark.

Cavalier
Summary:If you're never using Divine Challenge for option access, better than Paladin. But if you want Weakening Challenge in Epic or need Divine Challenge to make your Paragon Path work, Cavalier is not a choice. Also, if you plan to take Channel Divinity over Hybrid Armor and the other class is not a divine class, again, something of a problem.
Stats: Str+Cha as a non-hybrid. Could use those stats as a hybrid. Could also go Cha or Str only. Lots of options. Given the lack of Lay on Hands, Wis isn't that valuable usually. Ignore it.
Class Features:Good access to Divine sanction. Gets either +4 Init/+2 Healing Surge Value or +1 surge and the ability to use Second Wind as a minor to heal an ally.
Implement/Weapon: Has a lot of flexibility with either Holy Symbol or all martial weapons and Devout Protector Expertise is made for them.
At-Wills: Decent at-wills, but many builds will be trying to figure out how to avoid ever using them. Virtuous Strike or Ardent Strike are easily the best here. Note that Virtuous Strike is an MBA and the Cavalier's encounter which dazes functions with it - great with Fighter because of that.
Hybrid Feat benefits:Plate and Heavy Shield.
Interesting Builds: Cavalier|Cha Ranged Striker(Warlock or Sorcerer) - can easily function with Str/Cha, Dex/Cha, or Int/Cha for those.
Warning: Loses something compared to Paladin in specifically Epic due to the inability to get Weakening Challenge. Not going to Epic is a big plus for Cavalier.


Fighter
Summary:Fighter isn't really a true hybrid. It desperately needs to pick choices that give it marks outside of using Fighter powers for attacks - if it can do that or simply doesn't care about being a Defender, it turns Blue
Stats: Mixes well with all stats. Really only cares about having a Strength-score and maybe not even that if it is just using mainly Combat Challenge with another mark option.
Class Features: Something of a hit or miss. Your mark is structured around using your fighter powers and Fighters don't have a lot of minor action or interrupt attacks.
Weapon: Decent weapon choice, but often doesn't work well with many implements
At-Wills:With hybrid, not the strongest selection.
Hybrid Feat benefits: Solid Armor choice or Tempest Style both have their place. The problem for Fighters focused on being a Defender is that they have to figure out some way to get a decent AC of 17+ or some way of replacing all the hit points they're going to lose.
Interesting Builds: Fighter|Seeker. Deft Hurler Style. Fighter|Runepriest. Two wrongs make a right. Mark them - they ignore you and you get to swat them. They attack you and you get bonus damage. Multiclass into another Defender class for additional mark capabilities.
Key Compendium Searches: Mark and Primary Stat of other class. Mark and other class.
Useful Options: Daring Blade, Battle Chaplain, Warpriest, Avernian Knight, Huntmaster, Blade Bravo, multiclass Defender feats(especially Warden), Kirre's Roar as a power choice. Sentinel Marshal, the theme, gives an encounter long mark. Vigilante theme is fantastic if you focus on melee attacks.
Warning: Must have alternate ways of marking for when you don't use Fighter attack powers in a round.

Paladin
Summary: One of the better Defender options due to Holy Symbol and their armor. If only they had an at-will option that didn't use a melee weapon...
Stats: Str+Wis or Cha on its own. Lots of options. Given the lack of Lay on Hands, Wis isn't that valuable. I'd ignore it.
Class Features: With the Essentials update amazing. Double mark for Defender|Paladins, free action damage at-will and soft control for Ranged Attacker|Paladins, and functional mark for off-defender Melee Attacker|Paladins.
Implement/Weapon: Has a lot of flexibility with either Holy Symbol or all martial weapons, and Devout Protector Expertise is made for them.
At-Wills: Decent at-wills, but many builds will be trying to figure out how to avoid ever using them.
Hybrid Feat benefits:Plate and Heavy Shield
Interesting Builds: Paladin|Cha Ranged Striker(Warlock or Sorcerer) - can easily function with Str/Cha, Dex/Cha, or Int/Cha for those.
Warning: Hybrid Paladin has been updated such that its Divine Challenge does not take an Immediate to punish. Also, the entry in Compendium is wrong — Paladin's mark does not become unusable if you fail to engage the next round. That was part of original Paladin and was errata'd out and hybrid Paladin just mostly referred to original Paladin in PHB 3.

Swordmage
Summary: Easy mixing with other classes, except for Dex-based. Lots of solid racial choices(Tiefling, Gnome, Changeling, Deva, Human, Genasi, Eladrin). Just wow.
Stats: Int. Lots of options. Don't worry about Secondary Stats all that much.
Class Features: You get the best parts of Swordmage
Implement/Weapon: Weapon as implement plus Int. Still though, options are limited for really making things happen due to Versatile Mastery or sticking to either weapon or implement options.
At-Wills: Swordburst is a strong choice no matter what the build.
Hybrid Feat benefits: Swordmage Warding is very nice. But many builds have other options, in particular Aversion Staff - as a Mark is an effect, so all your marked targets would therefore grant you +2 item to all defenses...
Interesting Builds: Pretty much any build that doesn't have Int as a dump stat. And even some of those. Swordmage|Barbarian as an example. Note that Swordmage|Avenger lets you swing a big Fullblade for the same AC.


Warden
Summary: Really good at Defender+ builds, Dex or Int Defender|Defender or high Defense/hp strikers or leaders. The big problem is that their mark is only valuable if they spend resources to improve stickiness. And at that point, they benefit more from multi-marking than single-target marking.
Stats: Str + Con or Wis. Secondary Stat can be valuable for AC, but Dex/Int can work as well. Emphasis - nothing wrong with say a Str/Dex Fighter|Warden - you still have your Hybrid Talent feat left to pick up Font of Life...
Class Features: Assuming you spend the Hybrid feat, you get almost everything of value. Font of Life is an unfortunate sacrifice here, but it isn't as if Wardens could interrupt everyone they marked in the first place...
Weapon: Decent weapon options
At-Wills: Nothing to see here really. Most characters will be figuring out how to avoid ever using them.
Hybrid Feat benefits: Hide+Shield+Con or Wis to AC. Really strong for a lot of builds. Note above - a Str/Dex or Str/Int build that already has Hide+Heavy Shield on the other side can pick up Font of Life instead.
Interesting Builds: Lots of Str/Wis or Str/Con melee builds. Some Str/Dex or Str/Int builds, particularly Defender|Defender.
Warning: Mark is only valuable if they spend resources to improve stickiness or using a Reach weapon. If you're playing a Warden hybrid, you're either gaining some other ability to easily mark targets or you're dipping Warden for something else. Also, their forms are polymorph powers and go badly with other polymorph powers(aka Druid Wildshape or WereX hybrid options)


Battlemind
Summary: Con makes it complex to add to another Defender except Paladin. Mixing with some other kind of class ends up with a tough not-defender.
Stats: Something of a dead zone. Con/Cha and Con/Wis don't have a lot of direct support for Defenders. Swordmage with Con/Int can work very well, too, especially with Eladrin Teleport capabilities.
Class Features: Blurred Step is a huge improvement pre-update. If it weren't for the stat issues, this would be Gold. Example: Opponent shifts away from Fighter|Battlemind. Smacks with Fighter CC, free action shifts towards opponent after Shift and you still get the OA if that's why the creature was shifting away from you...
Weapon: Would have been a decent weapon choice, but due to Con/Cha or Con/Wis, most of the options involve bad choices.
At-Wills: Two at-wills(eventually) make this blue.
Hybrid Feat benefits: The usual blue for Scale+Heavy Shield
Interesting Builds: Paladin|Battlemind. Decent armor right off the bat without needing the hybrid feat. Blurred Step+Paladin Mark gives solid OA+mark potential. Fighter|Battlemind - very strong as long as you don't mind the lack of Battlemind riders or are willing to go Daring Blade.

Leaders

Ardent
Summary: Lots to potentially like in terms of powers, but stats, melee weapon focus, and hybrid feat benefits make this one hard to mix.
Stats: Con/Cha is pretty much required. Secondary stats are very important to Ardent and you can't ignore them. Cha is nice, but Con doesn't have a lot of support. Cha/Wis has almost no support at all due to most other hybrid Cha/Wis classes ignoring Wisdom, even if their non-hybrid version doesn't do that.
Class Features: Standard Leader qualities.
Weapon: A bit problematic. Con/Cha means your 2nd class is probably using an implement or ranged weapon of some kind. And Ardent doesn't exactly give you the best armor choices.
At-Wills: Solid at-wills and eventually gets 2. Ire Strike is very flexible, even if you don't have the correct stats.
Hybrid Feat benefits: Nothing to see here. Too situational and/or why are you spending your hybrid feat on Chainmail when you have Con as a secondary stat?
Interesting Builds: Ardent|Paladin. Ardent|Bard. Ardent|Battlemind, just as PHB3 says. Ardent|Psion where you mainly ignore Ardent and are human could be useful, too.

Artificer
Summary: Strong, but has weapon/implement and stat issues. Its main strength is that it works very well with classes that share the same stats.
Stats: Int+Wis or Con. Secondary stats are reasonably strong here and that's not helpful.
Class Features: Standard Leader qualities. The ability to distribute healing surges is awesome, but that's all you get...
Weapon/Implement: Normally would rate a blue, but here it limits choice - go ranged weapon and there isn't a great Wis or Con class to pair up with. Go melee and then lose flanks. Go implement and lose Magic Weapon. Go weapon and implement and need to support. The Moonbow Dedicate feat is a very decent way to resolve this, but then you lose Superior Implement options.
At-Wills: Very nice. This would be sky blue except weapon/implement issues.
Hybrid Feat benefits: Both are quite good. Issue will be not spending the feat on the other side.
Interesting Builds: Artificer|Int-classes.
Warning: Most Artificer Hybrids will want Wis or Con

Bard
Summary: Strong except for at-wills - combine with a class that has the at-will(s) you want.
Stats: Cha. Int or Con can be nice, but not required. Mixes with almost everything due to this. In addition, if you have a good MBA, the Skald choices can be very good, especially the encounter choices.
Class Features: Extra skill and Skill Versatility add a lot. Majestic Word is very, very good.
Weapon/Implement: Works very well with others.
At-Wills: Decent at-wills, but a little bit behind the times. I'd strongly advise looking at either Human, Half-Elf, and/or a Psionic class for additional at-will options.
Hybrid Feat benefits: Bardic Virtue is a solid use of a feat. I'd only go for Cunning, though as otherwise, there are likely armor issues.
Interesting Builds: Bard|Ranger. Very, very strong - Bard has sky blue immediate interrupt ranged weapon powers, Ranger has Twin Strike. Lots of skills, healing, and damage. Strikers in general tend to work well, Defenders go for mobility(saving the heal for themselves so they can heal and slide 1)

Cleric
Summary: Big upgrade via Cleric's new option of Battle Lore. Edging close to Gold if you want an upgrade on your primary class and just poach the Cleric options.
Stats: Str or Wis. Much easier to start with a 20 Str or Wis now due to phenomenal AC.
Class Features: Strong healer enabler. +2 to hit has potential ability to be exploited as well.
Implement/Weapon: the usual benefits from Holy Symbol
At-Wills: A touch on the stale side. Heroes of Forgotten Lands improves things somewhat, but they're still situational.
Hybrid Feat benefits:Very situational.
Interesting Builds: Cleric|Invoker is one of the most natural builds - you can be human for the extra Invoker at-will...and pick up a solid AC. Cleric|Fighter to use two-handed weapons. Melee Cleric|Ranger for a 'heal thyself' Str/Wis build that regularly gets +2 to hit and great AC.

Runepriest
Summary: Sky blue if mixing with a Str/Con Defender. Serene Runepriest is sky blue also for the mixing of AC via Wis and temp hit points.
Stats: Str/Con or Str/Wis have lots of melee support and work with the class features.
Class Features: Standard Leader qualities+striker-style damage buff+Scale and Light Shield. What's not to like?
Weapon: Not much to see here. This should receive an upgrade from the other side in any case.
At-Wills: Solid at-wills
Hybrid Feat benefits: Probably ought to be red, but maybe?
Interesting Builds: Runepriest|Fighter - they attack you, you should turn into a striker the next round. They don't attack you, you again turn into a striker by getting to attack them.

Sentinels(Druids):
Summary: At worst, this is Druid Dailies/Utilities+Animal Companion. There are at least a couple of options where the character could reasonably be assumed to boost their overall attack almost all the time due to U6s. The major issue for them is a DM deciding that they shouldn't get them. As long as they do, and they should, ignore regular Druids.
Stats: Wisdom mostly.
Class Features: Standard Leader qualities+Animal Companion is solid too.
Implement/Weapon: Decent implement/weapon choice.
At-Wills: Very solid, particularly Magic Stone
Hybrid Feat benefits: Likely spending this on an AC, though Con for AC could be very workable for some dip-based builds
Interesting Builds: Sentinel|Cleric - one slotless implement and a fix for the AC problem. Ranger|Sentinel. Striker+Control+Leader. Con Warlock with 20 Con/16 Wis for a base of 17 AC.
Warning: Hybrid Sentinels only get the Animal Companion and skill bonus - no +1 to hit with some weapons or d12s from Staffs

Shaman
Summary: While it might seem a bit weaker than other choices, Spirit Companion is amazing for supporting your Defender when you're a hybrid - unlike a typical Shaman, you're not as dependent on where it is. A party of 5 hybrid Shamans would be really funny to watch in action - capable of doing other things, yet also able to wall people off.
Stats: Wis is important, other stats less so due to the lack of the Spirit Boon.
Class Features: Standard Leader qualities.
Implement: Decent, nothing to see here. Totems don't have a lot of support, so you're likely using the other one.
At-Wills: Again, would like some additional choices. Nothing really pops out as amazing.
Hybrid Feat benefits: Very nice hybrid feat benefit with the Spirit Companion, but if you're not taking that hybrid feat, you shouldn't be in Shaman. Taking the hybrid feat, though, means dinging AC badly if you're trying to mix in Defender.
Interesting Builds: Shaman|Controller is very, very strong - you're generally sacrificing a touch of controller by hybriding, yet by gaining the Spirit Companion, you usually end up with a lot more control. Shaman|Ranger with an Alfsair Spear would sacrifice a bit of damage, but would add control. A party composed of at least 2 Shamans can really cause havoc.

Warlord
Summary: Wow. Uber-flexible addition to almost anything.
Stats: Int, Wis, Cha, or Str+any of those. Or heck, just Str. Phenomenal.
Class Features: Standard Leader qualities+Combat Leader.
Weapon: Generally not a big deal.
At-Wills: Solid at-wills. Can go human for a selection in combo with their other class.
Hybrid Feat benefits: Not much to see here - given most parties use Commanding Presence around 3 times per encounter, only getting to use it once isn't quite so hot and feat supporting something that you can use once per encounter is expensive. Something else is probably more valuable.
Interesting Builds: All over the place. It really does work with anything.

Strikers

Strikers usually have a half-striker mechanic going on - they lose a significant chunk of striker damage even if they always use powers from the striker side. As different strikers gain either offensive or defensive benefits(and lose both choices from hybriding), I'm generally looking at the loss of offensive capability as a simple way of measuring the difference.

An example of this is Rogue - Str Rogues normally gain +Str to sneak attack damage which happens once per round. They have a +1 to hit that they lose. They lose the automatic CA of going first(which has both offensive and defensive benefits - Rogues who go first don't generally want to move into melee). This is where Assassin really gets dinged as Cha Assassins normally gain +Cha damage to all their attacks. On the other side is Monk, which loses almost nothing, and Ranger which loses a +1 to hit in a somewhat limited situation.

Assassin
Summary: If it weren't for ki focuses, it would be red. Oh, wait, that got dinged...the best Assassin options are usually available by hybriding two other classes and then MC'ing into Assassin. Or hybriding with an Executioner.
Stats: Dex in general is bad because it usually only works with other Strikers and Striker|Striker isn't a great choice.
Class Features: Only gets the usual half-striker capabilities, but gets dinged on hit points and healing surges. If heal were on the skill list, I'd bump it to Purple on irony.
Implement/Weapon: Ki Focus is now one of the best options. A little too poachable by MC Assassin and Monk Feats and Elemental Initiate Theme.
At-Wills: Not much to see here.
Hybrid Feat benefits: Spending the hybrid feat on any of the choices are good ones. But that just represents just how far behind you are. There is a corner case option involving Shade Form+Shadar-Kai, but that's very build specific for a generalized guide.
Interesting Builds: Assassin|Bard. Assassin|Paladin. Assassin|Invoker. You won't regret playing these choices as much as all the other ones.

Assassin(Executioner)
Summary: Better than expected
Stats:Dex in general is bad because it usually only works with other Strikers and Striker|Striker isn't a great choice. If you want to go Essentials|Essentials, that's an upgrade, but Dex/Cha isn't that common.
Class Features:Solid use of MBA counts for a lot.
Implement/Weapon:Ki Focus is now one of the best options. A little too poachable by MC Assassin Feats
At-Wills: Not much to see here. Mostly specialized weapon use when a hybrid will look for a one-handed option
Hybrid Feat benefits:Technically hard to justify even if you got both possibilities
Notable Powers:
Dex-Based Encounters: Flurry of Talons(ETV based on how many hits do you get), Shadow Fire(ETV based on how many hits do you get), Shadow Knives
Stat-Independent Utilities: Ghost of the Rooftops
Interesting Builds: Assassin|Defender. Assassin|MBA specialist.



Avenger
Summary: This is what you take to make your weak controller tough or give your Avenger something to do when Oath isn't practical.
Stats:Int/Wis or Dex/Wis. Int/Wis works with a lot of the stronger classes. It gets a sky blue because it is one of the few classes that can honestly take a 16 in the primary stat without too many problems, allowing for an 18 in the other one. The race of Human loves this.
Class Features: Typical Half-Striker capabilities.
Weapon/Implement:Normally it would be blue, but there's just enough support to go implement-only. Bond of Censure in particular is a great 'so I'm down to single targets, what do I want to do now?' for Controllers.
At-Wills: Okay at-wills, not especially great. Overwhelming Strike with Power of Skill or Bond of Censure for a controller effect.
Hybrid Feat benefits:+3 AC with a hybrid feat. Upgradable to a total of +5 with 1 more feat? No hand requirements? That's very nice, Sky Blue even if you are wearing Cloth on both sides anyway...



Barbarian
Summary: Strong basic features make this work well.
Stats:Str and that's basically it, works well with a lot of different classes, especially Defenders who want some Striker capabilities. Most Barbarians won't have their other capabilities as they don't get that for free and they're generally on the weaker side.
Class Features: Unusual Half-Striker capabilities. A downside of hybrid Barbarians is that they lose at least one rage per day and many of their capabilities depend on them being in a rage. On the other hand, Rages are generally on the lousy side.
Weapon: Blue. They've got some issues with weapons vs. hands.
At-Wills:Generally solid at-wills
Hybrid Feat benefits:Armored Agility is very nice - a Str/Dex or Str/Int character



Blackguard
Summary:One of the better Off-Defender Striker options due to Holy Symbol, their armor, and ability to pick up Divine Sanction. If only they had an at-will option that didn't use a melee weapon...
Stats: Str+Cha on its own. Can easily be pure Cha as a hybrid because it can take the Cha Paladin at-wills such as specifically Virtuous Strike.
Class Features:Functional mark via Sanction powers for off-defender Melee Attacker|Blackguards and free damage bonus to everything with a Virtue pick.
Implement/Weapon: Has a lot of flexibility with either Holy Symbol or all martial weapons, but potentially being stuck with Versatile Mastery brings this down.
At-Wills: Decent at-wills, but many builds will be trying to figure out how to avoid ever using them. Interesting question at the moment is whether or not you can pick Paladin at-wills instead of being limited to just Virtue choices.
Hybrid Feat benefits:Plate and Heavy Shield
Interesting Builds: Blackguard|Cha Ranged Striker(Warlock or Sorcerer) - can easily function with Str/Cha, Dex/Cha, or Int/Cha for those.



Monk
Summary: Add some striker with a dash of controller to your weapon-using build. May have AC issues.
Stats: Str/Dex - a Striker who has some options! Or Dex/Wis with implements.
Class Features:Lose the defenses, but unlike a lot of the striker classes, does full Monk damage when hitting people with monk powers.
Weapon/Implement: Implement that turns weapons into magical is now just blue.
At-Wills:Burst 1 at-will that does a lot of damage with the class feature - nice thing to have.
Hybrid Feat benefits: Deceptive. Unarmored Defense doesn't have the support that Armor of Faith does. The other options are Red(you don't actually use real unarmed attacks for anything)
Interesting Builds: Monk|Warden. Monk|Seeker. Monk|Invoker. Lots of other options work. Monk/Ranger can be surprisingly strong either Str/Dex or Dex/Wis depending on focus. Assuming you spend the hybrid talent feat on AC, essentially you're a Monk who has some other capability.
Warning: Monks need either Str or Wis for their hybrid striker feature on OCB. Not actually a rule, though - should be able to take the Con or Cha striker builds.



Ranger
Summary:Add class features, use Twin Strike.
Stats:Str/Dex or Dex/Wis
Class Features: They get roughly the same striker class features everyone else does, but then on top of it, get powers that take advantage of it.
Weapon:Greatbow or Superior Crossbow is nice, but doesn't combine that well with other options. Ditto for two-weapon fighting with many of the other builds.
At-Wills:Twin Strike. Throw and Stab is nice in theory, but I'd really be curious to see someone try to pull that off in game - there are simply going to be situations where there is nothing to throw at and then move up to...Human got a big upgrade with access to an extra-at-will and Archery Mastery to play a bit of controller at the cost of a feat - getting both Twin Strike and Throw and Stab + good MBA option can make this work well.
Hybrid Feat benefits: Not much to see here, mostly for specific feats or paragon paths.
Interesting Builds: Almost anything works, even things crazy suboptimal in theory.



Rogue
Summary: Loses a lot of damage, doesn't necessarily gain a lot, might have issues getting riders.
Stats:Str/Dex or Dex/Cha. Dex has issues. On the plus side, both Str and Cha attract a lot of builds.
Class Features: Typical Half-Striker capabilities. Rogue Tactics, +1 to hit with certain weapons, and the First Strike capability are a big loss. Especially as they don't get sneak with MBAs, only Rogue powers.
Weapon:Light blade, while can be dealt with by feats, is not the best choice for many of the obvious mixtures. It does generally only take up one hand, so implement users aren't as badly off as they are normally.
At-Wills: At-wills have Light blade issues. They're good, needing that as a base is not.
Hybrid Feat benefits:Rogue Tactics is decent. If you're concentrating on being a Striker, you're going to want to pick this up or else lose all your encounter riders...Rogue Weapon Talent can be handy for certain highly focused builds that could want to use a dagger as an implement(Monks, Sorcerers)
Interesting Builds: Tempest Fighter|Rogue. You gain +1 to hit with offhand weapons, +2 to damage - in effect, you're a dagger rogue who gains the benefit of a slightly bigger weapon and has +1 AC. With a feat for Hide Armor, you have a respectable AC of 18. Rogue|Invoker - Invokers like to daze multiple targets, Rogues like dazed targets. Also gives the hybrid Rogue something to do when there's no CA. Rogue|Sorcerer for all the +1 to hit feats you can pick up, along with the melee/ranged quality of a dagger. Permastealth could be in theory interesting, but usually it is a party-negative encouraging your DM to be smarter.



Sorcerer
Summary: Stats are a problem. Otherwise, would be Blue.
Stats:Str/Cha or Dex/Cha. Secondary stats are very important. Class features give a lot, but that makes Sorcerer very unflexible.
Class Features:Typical Half-Striker capabilities. But better than average due to the Str to AC option.
Weapon/Implement: Dagger and Staves are not the best possible weapon choices. But better than nothing.
At-Wills: Solid at-wills, but not exceptional. You'll feel like you want two. Human Cha builds with an AC option are very solid.
Hybrid Feat benefits:Okay. Some decent benefits are hiding in the Soul of the Sorcerer option, especially the riders.
Interesting Builds: Blackguard(or Paladin)Sorcerer. Bard|Sorcerer.
Warning: Hybrid Sorcerers almost always need Str or Dex as secondary stat



Vampire
Summary: Lots of nice features, if only there wasn't that only having 2 surges issue and likely not wanting Vampire encounter powers. If you're going Vampire, you're doing this because your game typically has 3+ encounters per day, not because you have 1-2. More than 3, and Vampire becomes a very strong hybrid.
Stats: Dex or Cha. You get one at-will from Vampire and it will be either Dex or Cha. Not too bad other than it might limit Daily choice.
Class Features: Solid, again, just two surges being the limiting problem and needing to get a Vampire feat to make up for it. Hurts to lose Vampire Reflexes though given only getting Cloth.
Implement/Weapon: Ki Focus is now one of the best options. A little too poachable by MC Assassin Feats, but you get Holy Symbol as well? Two off-slot implements and a shield bonus means lots of options for picking items for your hands.
At-Wills: At-wills are all decent.
Hybrid Feat benefits:Near worthless. You really want Darkvision that badly, be a Drow which is one of the best races for Vampires.
Interesting Builds: Paladin(or Blackguard)|Vampire. Martial|Vampires can end up being really tough via the Martial Vampire feat.
Warning: Many hybrid Vampires will suck and not in the blood kind of way.



Warlock
Summary: Not bad. Has some stat issues and the loss of defensive values and boons hurts.
Stats: Cha/Int works well with many things. Con/Int, not so much, Cha/Con can be fun, too.
Class Features: Keep most of the striker capabilities, but lose the defensive values.
Implement: Standard implement fare.
At-Wills: Okay at-wills, not especially great. Especially in the context that the Con/Int side lacks support.
Hybrid Feat benefits: Shadow Walk is solid. Prime Shot might be necessary for feat support.
Interesting Builds: Warlock|Paladin. Melee + Ranged options. Warlock|Invoker - a bit strange, but Con/Wis isn't too bad if you get some AC via hybrid Invoker Armor...Warlock|Battlemind - use Warlock's ability to control movement to force things into spots where Battlemind's mark is more useful.

Unusual Interactions

Pick a race that gives you a +2 to both primaries or have a really good reason as to why not - human, elf, or deva with their add a bonus to hit/reroll is often a really good reason. Not needing a significant to-hit chance is another one. Avenger with its two hit rolls and Seeker with Inexorable Shot for attacks as examples. If having a 20 in your primary stat is important to you as a player, don't combine two classes that need 20s in two different primary stats.

Armor Class. Resolve Armor Class - are you spending your hybrid feat or not on this? Do you have an AC good enough to fill either of your expected roles? A Defender|Controller might not be able to go toe to toe as long as a normal Defender, but if they don't have the AC, they'll fall quickly. Overcome your weaknesses - is there a problem for your class? Does a particular item, feat, multiclass, or paragon path resolve this? One quick trick is if you have proficiency with Staff Implements is carrying an Aversion Staff in your offhand - if you're someone who typically throws a lot of effects around(marks, curses, etc...) - anyone under an effect from you means you have a +2 item bonus against all attacks from them.

Use Compendium - Compendium can let you do very controlled searches via keywords.

Fill your slots, even if you don't normally use them - if you have a Ki Focus slot, Rain of Hammers Ki Focus. Holy Symbol? Symbol of Victory. Dagger of Shielding or Rhythm Blade(if you have a shield bonus, but no shield). Aversion Staff - all of these can be enchanted with very low bonuses, +1 or +2 and give consistent very useful benefits. One of the Free Action Swap Familiars can make this even more useful. Wands of X are often very cheap ways to get additional Wizard, Bard, or Warlock options as daily options, especially with the auto-hit options of late game 4e - who cares if your Wand of Mass Charm is only +4 at 27th level. It still auto-hits.

Types of Builds:
Controller: Generally, you're here because of the powers. These are often the powers you'll open up with, while positioning yourself to use your other class powers in the next round or two. And you're usually benefitting from the features of your other class. Controller|Controller is about having the best possible powers from both classes. Example: Invoker|Sentinel can do Thunder of Judgement, Wind Wall, and Charm Beast by 7th level, all very good encounter powers even though neither Invoker nor Druid really has 3 great encounter powers to pick in Heroic tier.

Defender: Defender powers are usually a little weaker than other classes to represent how many features Defenders get by default. So many Defender hybrids should consider thinking about how they're going to use the marking options of being a Defender while concentrating on the powers of the other class. Defender|Defender is about doubling up the effects of marks - Fighter, Warden, and Battlemind can all use marks from other classes to deal out punishment, especially Paladin Sanction or Aegis. Or fast multi-marking - move up to one opponent, put your mark down on it, then use your other class mark on the other one. Example: Paladin|Fighter moves up to two enemies and uses Call of Challenge - if either of them don't respect the Divine Sanction, they can trigger both the Divine Sanction damage and the Combat Challenge MBA.

Leader: Leaders usually bring some sort of enabling to the table. Don't worry about being the best possible healer - the goal ought to be functional in the other class while having that enabling as an option. Leader|Leader is about doing some super-enabling without the typical downsides of doing such. Example: Warlord|Bard can be a Lazylord - no to-hit rolls on Warlord side - that allows the build to ignore Str and concentrate on say Int/Cha.

Striker: Strikers usually sacrifice a little bit of Striker damage in exchange for other options. The goal should be to use the Striker powers at the beginning of the combat with Defenders & Leaders and at the end of combat to quickly finish off individual opponents with Controllers. Striker|Striker can be very problematic - the goal here should be to pick the best possible powers to catch up. Multi-attacks against the same target(s) and non-standard action attacks are the gold standard here.

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Here's an example - Fighter|Bard. The issue for Fighter is that unless you find some way to mark outside your Fighter attacks, you won't be able to mark, which greatly limits your ability to use Bard melee attacks.

So let's take a look: Dragonborn is the obvious racial choice - it gets us +2 Str and +2 Cha, our two primary stats. But as we'll later see, Half-Elf, Human, Changeling, or Tiefling can be excellent choices as well. Armor Class - our base is 17 with Chain+Light Shield. That's not particularly great for a Defender, but it is probably good enough to avoid spending the Hybrid feat on the upgrade to Scale+Heavy Shield. It could be an issue to resolve.

Weakness - Fighter has that big weakness - if we're in melee using a Bard power, we want the option of marking our target. First, let's pick up the obvious feat - Soldier of Faith - that gives us a mark to use once per combat that will both trigger Divine Challenge and Combat Challenge if someone violates the mark. That's great. Let's do some searches of Compendium:
Bard Mark - Daring Blade
Fighter Charisma - Harlequin Style, Avenging Slayer, Daring Blade

That Daring Blade sounds like it is almost perfect - it lets us use Charisma for martial melee attacks(i.e. most Fighter attacks) - that opens up other +2 Charisma races as options and other stats as secondary options. But we do need to wait until Paragon. We can overcome that partially with Melee Training(Charisma). Hybrid Training on the Fighter side might give a nice bonus to hit with the Charisma powers. On the Bard side, might let us use one of the virtues effectively.

Those are the things to look for....

Cursed Mixtures

Striker|Striker: While there are builds where this works well, many strikers lose either irreplaceable defenses or damage by hybriding. And with some builds, it gets dinged twice. An example of this is the Rogue|Assassin. It might look like they get to build up shrouds, but with each hit, they're losing:
+Cha to damage, a +1 to hit, Riders on both sets of powers, the ability to go insubstantial, the ability to teleport from creature to creature, and the bonus to defenses vs OAs.

In combo with the controller-like hit points and surges of Assassin, that lack of defenses is a really big deal...

Monk, Ranger and to a lesser extent Sorcerer and Avenger managed to mostly avoid this fate. Warlock, Rogue, and Assassin, classes that everyone agreed were massively overpowered, got whacked hard with the nerf bat...

Controller|Controller: Not as bad as Striker|Striker. The big issue is mainly that Controllers tend to have a good selection of powers, so they're generally losing a class feature in exchange for larger selection. Which they don't need.

Ranged|Melee: It sounds good in theory to be able to make ranged attacks and melee attacks, but a lot of people overinvest in them without gaining synergy. This can turn particularly nasty when the character can't use one of the powers and therefore sucks. An example of this is the ranged specialist who then hybrids into another class for toughness and some melee options. He's now significantly worse at his original role(ranged specialist) for something that doesn't generally benefit him all that much - he runs out of ranged encounters much faster and once he does, he doesn't have the range of at-wills to use.

The exceptions to this are as follows:
The class is that good. Ranger as an example. Who cares if you're stuck with Twin Strike as your only at-will after you run out of ranged encounter powers?

There is some form of unusual synergy that happens that regardless of whether or not one class is ranged or melee, it adds something to the other class. A Paladin as an example, can easily add Divine Challenge and significant AC to a ranged build. Paladin is really only dependent on Charisma. So a Sorcerer|Paladin with Mighty Challenge and Str/Cha can easily overcome the lack of riders. Doing 20 points of Divine Challenge damage in Epic will get your Blazing Starfall noticed.

Things to Avoid
2 primary stats of the same defense.
Primary stats are the dump stat of the other class. Especially if one of the classes has a strong secondary, such as Sorcerer, Monk, etc...strong secondary stats can be identified usually because the stat has an influence on every single combat round as opposed to once an encounter.
Neither use armor and the primaries aren't Dex or Int or the special defensive stat. Double negative points if the build wants to melee.
Both classes want their hands full for different reasons.
Paragon Hybrid option. This really is about either doing one of two things: breaking the game or being suboptimal. There's a reason why Half-Elf builds for paragon multiclassing aren't especially popular on CharOp and they gain much of the same kind of things from doing it and even more flexibility. i.e. not very good.[/B]

Discovery

In terms of what I call Interesting Builds, this reflects one(or more) of the following rules in play:

• Reasonably competent at both roles, such that the build easily makes a party work. Classic 5th party member. Striker|X and Leader|X work here. Examples: Sorcerer|Warlord or Swordmage|Artificer.
  
• Extremely competent at one of the roles, such that the build can be slotted into the party as that role. It either has to do something unique via synergy or do it better than either of the base classes. Defender|X, especially involving Fighter or Striker as the X work well here. Examples: Battlemind|Fighter or Warden|Barbarian.
  
• Be good at one of the roles, but be more fun than the base class that defines that role. Ranger|not-striker or Leader|X are examples of this. Examples: Archer Ranger|Bard, Monk|Cleric.

Hybrids Mix, But Not as Expected

There are a few options that make sense for Paragon Hybrid - even the best really do end up resembling top-tier paragon paths without the action point option. The general categories that I think compete best are:
+1 to hit with weapons. In combo with Arcane Implement Proficiency, each other, or a class not expecting an additional +1(i.e. controller), this can have very useful results. Rune Master is here simply because Rune of Destruction is that good. It is likely though that someone can afford to pick up Rune Master by combining it with a class that grants Scale in the 1st place. I'm leaving out Ranger and Warlock because they need a feat investment to increase Prime Shot. That could be worth it for the right build. Those classes are:
Fighter: Gains +1 to hit with almost any weapon type(aka staff)
Seeker: Gains +1 to hit with thrown weapons
Rogue: Gains +1 to hit with daggers, crossbows, or slings
Rune Master: Grant all allies a +1 to hit with Rune of Destruction active when enemies are adjacent to you.

Significant Armor bonus that doesn't assume you're wearing armor. They stack with each other and can therefore get some really powerful bonuses. Swordmage can actually work with other armored classes and solve some other issues as well - an example of this is the Brawler Fighter|Swordmage. +4 base to AC, Int for AC, eventual 13 Con for Hide Armor, and all the various Swordmage AC boosters.
Avenger: Gains unusually large independent AC bonus via additional feats.
Monk: Gain significant independent AC bonus via additional feats.
Swordmage: Gain unusually large independent AC bonus via additional feats

Shaman: Companion Spirit. The advantage of this class feature is for a Defender(or almost anyone else for that matter) to place the Companion Spirit 3 squares away from a Defender. This then blocks off a huge amount of real estate on the board, making it very difficult for enemies to get past the Defender without taking OAs. You don't want to be a Defender/Shaman as you'll take a big hit on the Defenses, but great for all kinds of mischief.
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Corner-case problems:
Assassin/Warlock: Cursed Shadow grants Shadow Walk feat. While this appears intended for Assassin/Warlock hybrids, it is actually available elsewhere.
Ranger: Throw and Stab. Throw is Ranger, Stab is something else, allowing builds to exploit both striker and their other hybrid class with one standard action.