Building a Polearm Fighter

[Mistwell]

Hey all.

I am working on a new character to run through the Burning Sky 4e campaign.

We have two strikers in the party so far (Deva Avenger and Unknown-Race Rogue), and we will likely have a controller and leader, in addition to my fighter.

So, I need to build a defender, and I am considering a polearm fighter (likely Glaive), possibly with multiclassing (perhaps even multiclassing into Warden).

All WOTC books and Dragon magazine stuff is open. I'd like advice on races, feats, build progression (starting from first level), magic items, tactics, and all that sort of stuff.

Anyone?

 

[Mentat55]

The WotC Character Optimization forum does a much better job than I of going through all the crunch.

In general, though, polearm fighters tend to have high Str, Wis, and just enough Dex (15 at heroic). Your basic level 1 combo is Footwork Lure (at-will) + Polearm Momentum -- every time you hit at reach, you can slide the target 2 squares and then knock it prone. The one disadvantage of using reach is that Combat Challenge requires an adjacent marked enemy (but even this can be overcome at paragon tier). You'll eventually want Polearm Gamble and Heavy Blade Opportunity. Good paragon paths include Pit Fighter and Polearm Master.

Races that boost Str/Dex, Str/Wis, and Dex/Wis are the most desirable from a numbers standpoint.