Tactical Warlord Build INT discussion

[El Mahdi]

I am all for threads like this...but should this go here?

I agree.

This should probably be in a rules forum.

 

[TerraDave]

I posted in this thread. Just saying.






(And you'll still get a crunchier reply in the 4E rules forum)

 

[Cadfan]

I don't think its worth the 18. You have to pay too much for it.

Giving allies an additional +1 to attack (or even +2 in comparison to a 14 starting stat) on a few attacks every fight is probably not worth losing +1 to your own attacks.

And yes, I know about Commander's Strike, and I do believe that its possible to get through a number of the lower levels as a warlord without making more than a handful of attack rolls. But at paragon tier you'll be running around with 4 encounter powers, and 3 daily powers. Some of those powers will be really strong, and will only work if you hit. Plus of course your attacks deal damage too.

So I wouldn't go too nuts about Int. Just invest what you can.

 

[Dausuul]

The genasi gives +2str/int, IIRC, so it shouldn't be too difficult to manage a warlord with 18 in both str and int.

Of course, then you have to play a guy with crystals sticking out of his head.

An alternative approach is to play a tiefling, take Hellfire Blood, and wield a flame weapon. You start with a 16 Strength, but Hellfire Blood makes up the deficiency.

 

[MichaelSomething]

If you're an Eladrin, you can afford to not start with an 18 Int. There's a Paragon Parth in Martial Power that makes the tatical presence bonus your Total Int Mod (instead of half).

 

[Storminator]

I don't think its worth the 18. You have to pay too much for it.

Giving allies an additional +1 to attack (or even +2 in comparison to a 14 starting stat) on a few attacks every fight is probably not worth losing +1 to your own attacks.

And yes, I know about Commander's Strike, and I do believe that its possible to get through a number of the lower levels as a warlord without making more than a handful of attack rolls. But at paragon tier you'll be running around with 4 encounter powers, and 3 daily powers. Some of those powers will be really strong, and will only work if you hit. Plus of course your attacks deal damage too.

So I wouldn't go too nuts about Int. Just invest what you can.

We allowed out Taclord to retcon a higher strength, and he immediately became a much more capable PC. After that we've had entire sessions that were defined by the Taclord's success. If you hit every Warlord's Favor and Lead the Attack it dramatically changes the day. I think he put at 15 in INT, added the eladrin bonus, and bumped it to 18 at 4th level.

PS

 

[Dausuul]

If you're an Eladrin, you can afford to not start with an 18 Int. There's a Paragon Parth in Martial Power that makes the tatical presence bonus your Total Int Mod (instead of half).

Which is ironic, because eladrins have a much easier time getting to 18 Int given their racial bonus.

(And the prospect of getting the full int mod for tac presence is scary... Action Surge looks sorta pathetic by comparison.)

 

[Mr. Wilson]

If you're human, 16 Str and 18 Int is my preferred combo for Taclords. 16 Str and a +3 weapon is good enough to land your gamebreakers (Lead the Attack, Warlord's Favor) and the +4 bonus to damage to your biggest basic melee swinger is great as well when you fall back to your at-will of choice, Commander's Strike.

Of course, Genasi with their 18/18 are great as well.

 

[Pseudonym]

I think he put at 15 in INT, added the eladrin bonus, and bumped it to 18 at 4th level.

It was 16, 18 with bonus, bumped to 19 at 4th.

I'd say go 16 Str, 18 Int to start if you can and get a +3 weapon. Int grants bonuses and riders, but it's all for naught if you miss. I don't believe there are any reliable warlord powers, and precious few have a miss effect worth mentioning.

A good Int bonus also helps with certain feats, such as Tactical Assault, and if eladrin, Tactical Inspiration.