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This Party is Off the Hook! A Miniguide to Party Optimization (by GelationousOctahedron) plus 10 Rules of Party Optimization (by Rancid_Rogue) and Rad
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<blockquote data-quote="LightWarden" data-source="post: 6745065" data-attributes="member: 6803540"><p><strong>Party Composition: Which Roles When? (by Rancid_Rogue)</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Originally posted by Rancid_Rogue:</strong></p><p></p><p>While updating my party optimization guide(x), I realized that I had distilled a great deal of debate on party selection, drawn conclusions, and just built the latest guide without going into any detail. So, here's one somewhat informed opinion on who should be slotted into a party when:</p><p></p><p><u><strong>Party Member One: Single-target Striker</strong></u></p><p>Someone who can bring tons of pain to a single target via either multiple attacks or awesome basic attacks should always be the first party member. <em>Top Choices:</em> Ranger, Thief, Slayer, Brutal Scoundrel, Avenger.</p><p></p><p>Even if the party is <em>only </em>one, a striker is still the choice, though single-target focus is a bit less important and the method becomes irrelevant. In a solo campaign, defending has marginal utility (it can keep ranged opponents from shifting without pain, mostly). Control is even less useful, because you'll rarely be juggling that many numbers in a level-appropriate encounter. So, a single-target death dealer is the ideal approach, though as a solo giving up a little DPR for some durability would be very prudent. This is a good spot for a hybrid build. <em>Top Choices:</em> Githzerai Monk/Wilder, Ranger|Cleric, Ranger|Runepriest, infernal Warlock.</p><p></p><p><u><strong>Party Member Two: Defender, With an Asterisk</strong></u></p><p>Once the party becomes a true party, the DM can field enough minions to run strafing runs on single PCs. Someone who can break up Team Monster's focus and endure their attention becomes very important. <em>Top Choices:</em> depends on the striker, per rule 4 of the optimization guide.</p><p></p><p>Of course, if the party has <em>only </em>two members, some healing would be lovely. You'll need either a solo-style striker in slot 1 or a Paladin as the defender. Or perhaps a solo-style striker in slot 1 and a Fighter with all of his self-healing tricks in slot 2.</p><p></p><p><u><strong>Party Member Three: Leader</strong></u></p><p>If the striker is a multiattacker, stock up on accuracy and damage buffs that apply to every swing that he makes. Leverage what you do. If the striker has an awesome MBA or RBA, stock up on powers that let him use it again on your turn. <em>Be </em>the striker, while still rocking your own tricks. <em>Top Choices:</em> Warlord.</p><p></p><p><u><strong>Party Member Four: Leader 2</strong></u></p><p>You know what's more awesome than a Thief who does a kazillion-hit sneak attack twice per round? That's right, a Thief who does it three times a round. You've been peaking ahead, haven't you? <em>Top Choices:</em> War ... well, OK, we've done that. For extra basic attacks, the Shaman is top tier while the Ardent brings extra attacks or a slew of other useful riders (extra saving throws!). For parties built around a multiattacker, the Artificer both buffs and can spread healing surges. In practice, this means that he himself gets to donate to the Keep the Ranger on His Feet fund, quite often ...</p><p></p><p><u><strong>Party Member Five: Controller</strong></u></p><p>Yea, the DM can paradrop a kazillion minions on your heads by this point. Yea, you need one now. <em>Top Choices:</em> You'll never go wrong with an orb Wizard if the DM bothers with rituals, or a Mage if he doesn't. </p><p></p><p><u><strong>Party Member Six: Striker 2</strong></u></p><p><u><strong></strong></u>The party's leaders already have their walking, talking weapon in striker 1, so this guy probably should be a multiple-target specialist, who softens up opponents while they wait for striker 1's attention and simultaneously ensures that the specialists don't waste their talents on minions. <em>Top Choices:</em> Monk, Sorcerer.</p><p></p><p><u><strong>Party Member Seven: Defender 2</strong></u></p><p><u><strong></strong></u>If a Battlemind wasn't your first choice, then he makes an excellent second defender. Being able to divert attacks without previously marking the attacker is a <em>real </em>nice ability when the battles get this large and fluid. If you already have a Battlemind, and you're optimizing party build, then you probably have a ranged-heavy party. In that case, one of those Wardens who grabs everyone and immobilizes them in a zone around him will add huge value.</p><p></p><p><u><strong>Party Member Eight: Controller 2</strong></u></p><p>Forget the kazillion minions dropping on your heads. It's the kazillion other minions popping out of hidey holes and screaming "Wolverines!" that really should alarm you. <em>Top Choices:</em> Eh, grab an Invoker and scream "Iahveh rocks!" right back at them.</p><p></p><p><u><strong>Party Member Nine: Leader 3</strong></u></p><p><u><strong></strong></u>Four sneak attacks per round? Be still, my beating munchkin heart. <em>Top Choices:</em> It wouldn't be completely shameful to go to another flavor of Warlord, here.</p><p></p><p><u><strong>Party Member Ten+: Uh What The?</strong></u></p><p>Move half the party to Los Angeles and start a XXXXers West chapter, for Pete's sake.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="LightWarden, post: 6745065, member: 6803540"] [b]Party Composition: Which Roles When? (by Rancid_Rogue)[/b] [b]Originally posted by Rancid_Rogue:[/b] While updating my party optimization guide(x), I realized that I had distilled a great deal of debate on party selection, drawn conclusions, and just built the latest guide without going into any detail. So, here's one somewhat informed opinion on who should be slotted into a party when: [u][b]Party Member One: Single-target Striker[/b][/u] Someone who can bring tons of pain to a single target via either multiple attacks or awesome basic attacks should always be the first party member. [i]Top Choices:[/i] Ranger, Thief, Slayer, Brutal Scoundrel, Avenger. Even if the party is [i]only [/i]one, a striker is still the choice, though single-target focus is a bit less important and the method becomes irrelevant. In a solo campaign, defending has marginal utility (it can keep ranged opponents from shifting without pain, mostly). Control is even less useful, because you'll rarely be juggling that many numbers in a level-appropriate encounter. So, a single-target death dealer is the ideal approach, though as a solo giving up a little DPR for some durability would be very prudent. This is a good spot for a hybrid build. [i]Top Choices:[/i] Githzerai Monk/Wilder, Ranger|Cleric, Ranger|Runepriest, infernal Warlock. [u][b]Party Member Two: Defender, With an Asterisk[/b][/u] Once the party becomes a true party, the DM can field enough minions to run strafing runs on single PCs. Someone who can break up Team Monster's focus and endure their attention becomes very important. [i]Top Choices:[/i] depends on the striker, per rule 4 of the optimization guide. Of course, if the party has [i]only [/i]two members, some healing would be lovely. You'll need either a solo-style striker in slot 1 or a Paladin as the defender. Or perhaps a solo-style striker in slot 1 and a Fighter with all of his self-healing tricks in slot 2. [u][b]Party Member Three: Leader[/b][/u] If the striker is a multiattacker, stock up on accuracy and damage buffs that apply to every swing that he makes. Leverage what you do. If the striker has an awesome MBA or RBA, stock up on powers that let him use it again on your turn. [i]Be [/i]the striker, while still rocking your own tricks. [i]Top Choices:[/i] Warlord. [u][b]Party Member Four: Leader 2[/b][/u] You know what's more awesome than a Thief who does a kazillion-hit sneak attack twice per round? That's right, a Thief who does it three times a round. You've been peaking ahead, haven't you? [i]Top Choices:[/i] War ... well, OK, we've done that. For extra basic attacks, the Shaman is top tier while the Ardent brings extra attacks or a slew of other useful riders (extra saving throws!). For parties built around a multiattacker, the Artificer both buffs and can spread healing surges. In practice, this means that he himself gets to donate to the Keep the Ranger on His Feet fund, quite often ... [u][b]Party Member Five: Controller[/b][/u] Yea, the DM can paradrop a kazillion minions on your heads by this point. Yea, you need one now. [i]Top Choices:[/i] You'll never go wrong with an orb Wizard if the DM bothers with rituals, or a Mage if he doesn't. [u][b]Party Member Six: Striker 2 [/b][/u]The party's leaders already have their walking, talking weapon in striker 1, so this guy probably should be a multiple-target specialist, who softens up opponents while they wait for striker 1's attention and simultaneously ensures that the specialists don't waste their talents on minions. [i]Top Choices:[/i] Monk, Sorcerer. [u][b]Party Member Seven: Defender 2 [/b][/u]If a Battlemind wasn't your first choice, then he makes an excellent second defender. Being able to divert attacks without previously marking the attacker is a [i]real [/i]nice ability when the battles get this large and fluid. If you already have a Battlemind, and you're optimizing party build, then you probably have a ranged-heavy party. In that case, one of those Wardens who grabs everyone and immobilizes them in a zone around him will add huge value. [u][b]Party Member Eight: Controller 2[/b][/u] Forget the kazillion minions dropping on your heads. It's the kazillion other minions popping out of hidey holes and screaming "Wolverines!" that really should alarm you. [i]Top Choices:[/i] Eh, grab an Invoker and scream "Iahveh rocks!" right back at them. [u][b]Party Member Nine: Leader 3 [/b][/u]Four sneak attacks per round? Be still, my beating munchkin heart. [i]Top Choices:[/i] It wouldn't be completely shameful to go to another flavor of Warlord, here. [u][b]Party Member Ten+: Uh What The?[/b][/u] Move half the party to Los Angeles and start a XXXXers West chapter, for Pete's sake. [/QUOTE]
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