Anyone want to hazard a guess as to what a Martial Controller would look like?

[Green Knight]

Absolutely, this would be like a mechanist (or a guy who makes stuff that controls the battlefield). The idea of a grenadier someone who lobs bombs, sets traps and makes alchemical fire blow torches. Granted this would probably work in some worlds better than others. As long as you can sort of craft fantasy technology (clockwork, non-magical alchemy, pseudo science tech, steam powered stuff and explosives) in the fantasy world this class would work. You could even drop one or two of the fanstasy techs (steam and explosives) and still make it work.

Clockwork armor would be totally sweet... Crafted automatons that they command, wow.

You know, that would be cool. Like the Gnome Artificer from Magic of Faerun or Alchemical Philosopher from Van Richten's Arsenal. Kind of like an adventuring scientist. I can just picture this guy with a blunderbuss which fires smoke bombs and tanglefoot bags and the like.

 

[Dragonblade]

Here is my take on the roles:

When I think Controller, I think "artillery". The ability to inflict lots of damage to a lot of enemies quickly all over the battlefield. Hence my desire to see an Archer class as a Martial Controller. The ability to alter the battlefield terrain itself would also qualify. Controller damage is good, but the main benefit should be in being able to damage multiple foes in a round at range. Controllers also would be the most vulnerable class, followed by the Striker as the second most vulnerable.

When I think Striker, I think fast and agile but not able to take a lot of punishment. However, a striker should deal massive damage (the most in the game) when fighting one on one and should be able to move all over the battlefield with ease.

When I think Defender, I think armored tank. Someone who can take a ton of punishment but also deal a ton of punishment for those who get into melee with one. Should be able to do more damage than anyone but a Striker when fighting one on one.

When I think Leader, I think a class that can complement all the roles but also stand by itself. Tougher than a Controller or Striker, but not as tough as a Defender. Does more damage one on one than a Controller, but not as much as a Defender or a Striker. However should have the best ability to recover damage and to boost themselves and allies. Should also be more mobile than anyone but a Striker.

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Also posted this same thing here:

http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?p=3877157#post3877157

 

[Imp]

Two other ideas for martial controllers:

- beastmaster (of course this treads on traditional druid territory)
- intimidator / morale-breaker

 

[Rechan]

Absolutely, this would be like a mechanist (or a guy who makes stuff that controls the battlefield). The idea of a grenadier someone who lobs bombs, sets traps and makes alchemical fire blow torches. Granted this would probably work in some worlds better than others. As long as you can sort of craft fantasy technology (clockwork, non-magical alchemy, pseudo science tech, steam powered stuff and explosives) in the fantasy world this class would work. You could even drop one or two of the fanstasy techs (steam and explosives) and still make it work.

I came to the thread to say this.

Although I think that things like makeshift catapults and battlefield traps are being neglected. There's a PrC in Complete Scoundrel that is a battlefield trapmaker - it takes a full round action to use a kit and you make various 'temporary traps' in the squares. He might also employ weakened version of poisons.

Another possible "Martial Controller" ability is a fire breather. You put alcohol in your mouth, hold up a torch, and spit. Maybe that alchemist acid eats away at enemy's AC or to-hit by eating/rusting their weapons and armor.

Clockwork armor would be totally sweet... Crafted automatons that they command, wow.

Shadowrun rigger?

 

[Henrix]

I think that there are many alternatives to martial controllers, but one of the best would be an expanded version of the 3e Knight - deciding who fights who and where.

 

[TwinBahamut]

Warning, if you do not like anime influence in your D&D, this post is not for you. Pease avery your eyes from the following words. Thank you.

First, for this idea, I am going by the assumption that a "Controller" is someone who is supposed to keep the number of enemie the rest of the party is facing to a limited number. It is the person who keeps the main group of enemies distracted/at bay/crippled while the Defender and Striker smash through them one by one. To use MMORPG terminology, it is the crowd control character, the same archetype as the Everquest enchanter who mesmerizes foes, so the party only fights one at a time.

The best thing I cna think of for a martial controller is a monk or rogueish character who can use attacks to debilitate his opponent's abilities. A character like Neji Hyuga from the Naruto manga/anime, or Tai Lee from Avatar is how I would envision it. Someone who can strike precisely, and can even temporarily shut down a mage's ability to cast spells with a single blow. The kind of character who can tumble through a battle line, hit an enemy in the gut, and spring back, leaving the enemy puking his guts out for the next threee turns. It is the best of the Shadow Hand, Setting Sun, and Diamond Mind disciplines from the Tome of Battle, all wrapped up in one.

So, I guess, a much, much better Monk class? Or maybe the Swordsage.

Edit: Alright another idea, though this one is a bit more far-fetched. The Martial Controller is the Barbarian. But not the Barbarian as he once was. Instead, this would be the barbarian who gets such titanic power from his rage, that he can put giant holes in the battlefield with a single punch, build a wall by ripping up a slab of rock from the ground, throw boulders through lines of foes, and rip open fissures in the earth, send his enemies falling to their doom.

 

[Gort]

I don't think it should be a monk. The monk should be left until the "Ki" power source is released, so they can be the "Ki" striker to complement the "Ki" defender (samurai) and the "Ki" controller (shugenja).

 

[Masquerade]

I like the suggestions of the alchemist/grenadier/mechanist class as a controller, but I don't see that as martial at all. My hopes are high that we'll see a technology power source in the second or third PHB or elsewhere. Eberron's artificer would be a logical starting point.

If there is ever a martial controller, and I'm not convinced there will be, I think the wuxia martial artist is most likely. Still, though, that seems to be bordering on striker.

 

[Gloombunny]

I don't think it should be a monk. The monk should be left until the "Ki" power source is released, so they can be the "Ki" striker to complement the "Ki" defender (samurai) and the "Ki" controller (shugenja).

Getting off-topic here, but I really hope they don't turn "Oriental" into a power source.


Anyway, yeah, add me to the list of people saying "those are defenders, not controllers". Or in some cases strikers. But not controllers.

The only idea here that makes any sense as a controller is the alchemical-grenadier one, and that's really stretching the "martial" part. For the alchemy stuff to make sense as class features rather than as products anyone can buy and use, you'd have to say it's the grenadier brewing/making the items himself, and if he can produce these items with magical effects, then he's not much different from a wizard, conceptually. You could try to limit his items to definitely-not-magical effects, but then (a) he has a pretty limited repertoire of abilities, and (b) it can play havoc with the low-tech flavor D&D is based on.

I do think an alchemical grenadier could make a very neat class (preferably in a supplement somewhere rather than core), but I don't think it really passes as a martial controller.

 

[Green Knight]

I like the suggestions of the alchemist/grenadier/mechanist class as a controller, but I don't see that as martial at all. My hopes are high that we'll see a technology power source in the second or third PHB or elsewhere.

I don't see the problem with labelling such a character as martial. After all, he's relying on his own natural talents to get by. In this case, intelligence. Yeah, he'd be using a lot of gadgets and gizmos, but the Fighter and Warlord still need] to use a weapon, sword, and shield to get by, and a Rogue still needs a dagger and leather armor. Like them, this is a character that relies on his own natural skills as well as equipment to survive in the world. He's just more creative with his equipment.