Best character to compliment this party?

[Nethel]

Hey everyone, long time lurker, first time poster here.

I am stepping down from DMing my 8th level party to take a break and refresh my mind for a while; and I'm having trouble deciding on what character to bring in.

The party is a melee ranger, assassin, avenger, and bard|invoker hybrid. I am replacing our beloved Healic as he takes over DMing.

As far as what to bring in I think leader or a hybrid leader of some sort, as the hybrid bard's healing will be spread thin. As we didn't have a defender, the party relied on (and perhaps got spoiled by) our pacifist cleric's insane healing capability to keep them up, and I'm a bit concerned that the transition will be...jarring. I would also like to avoid playing a cleric to keep things fresh and interesting. I have a streak of powergamer in me, so optimization isn't out of the question.

Any imput would be greatly appreciated

 

[Aulirophile]

Chaladin. Good defending, decent healing.

Hybrid Warlord|Fighter. Particularly if you make to level 11 and take Fight On.

Half-Orc Warlord|Paladin (only race that can add Str to both Divine Challenge and Divine Sanction).

Artificer|Swordmage.

 

[OnlineDM]

I second the Charisma-focused Paladin suggestion - that's what I've been playing in LFR games, and it's a good defender with some respectable healing.

Another suggestion is a Runepriest. My wife is playing a Runepriest in one campaign, and it's a healer/leader with some good defender characteristics, too. In Rune of Protection mode she can grant damage resistance to adjacent allies - a nice little feature.