Character Optimization - Warlord

[JiggleFloyd]

Greetings,

I created a Level 14 human Warlord and would like constructive feedback concerning it. I'm looking for useful feats I may have missed, items that could help my build, or other power suggestions among anything else you think may improve this character. A few things to keep in mind before critique and suggestions.

* This is an Int based warlord who specializes in providing melee basic attacks to strikers (in my party's case a Barbarian). Current Int modifier provides himself and allies +7 to initiative, +7 to dmg from Commander's Strike, great knowledge skills, and of course a solid reflex and AC defense.
* He will prefer to be in melee combat in order to get the most out of his attack powers and to flank with his allies. This is why his defenses need to be solid.
* His secondary purpose is to provide healing and saving throws to his allies.

"The General", level 14
Human, Warlord, Battle Captain
Build: Bravura Warlord
Warlord: Combat Leader
Commanding Presence: Bravura Presence
Background: Traveling Missionary (Traveling Missionary Benefit)

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 9, Con 16, Dex 11, Int 24, Wis 11, Cha 15.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 8, Con 13, Dex 10, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 13.


AC: 31 Fort: 27 Reflex: 30 Will: 26
HP: 103 Surges: 10 Surge Value: 25

TRAINED SKILLS
Athletics +10, Intimidate +14, Diplomacy +14, Religion +21, History +19, Arcana +19

UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +9, Bluff +12, Dungeoneering +10, Endurance +12, Heal +10, Insight +10, Nature +10, Perception +10, Stealth +9, Streetwise +12, Thievery +9

FEATS
Bardic Ritualist: Ritual Caster
Human: Lend Might
Level 1: Lend Strength
Level 2: Ninth Legion Student
Level 4: Bardic Ritualist
Level 6: Bard of All Trades
Level 8: Stubborn Survivor
Level 10: Toughness
Level 11: Combat Commander
Level 12: Fight On
Level 14: Saving Inspiration

POWERS
Bonus At-Will Power: Brash Assault
Warlord at-will 1: Commander's Strike
Warlord at-will 1: Direct the Strike
Warlord encounter 1: Overwhelming Force Trap
Warlord daily 1: Destructive Surprise
Warlord utility 2: Shake It Off
Warlord encounter 3: Powerful Warning
Warlord daily 5: Scent of Victory
Warlord utility 6: Reorient the Axis
Warlord encounter 7: Friendly Fire
Warlord daily 9: Warlord's Recovery
Warlord utility 10: Rallying Deflection
Warlord encounter 13: Blade Burst Trap (replaces Overwhelming Force Trap)

ITEMS
Golden Crown of Battle Command (paragon tier), Mantle of the Golden General +3, Fireheart Tattoo (heroic tier), Diamond Cincture (heroic tier), Barkskin Earthhide Armor +3, Boots of Quickness (heroic tier), Bracers of Mental Might (heroic tier), Light Shield, Gloves of Grace (heroic tier), War Pick of Shared Wrath +2

 

[Lord Ernie]

I see you also posted on the WotC Charop boards, but let me first of all redirect you to their excellent Warlord Handbook.

Main question: why the Battle Captain PP? Battle Captain is horrible for anything but a Tactical Warlord, and you've chosen Bravura. I would recommend either switching to another PP - I can't think of any good lazy PP's off the top of my head, but Adroit Explorer is always good - or becoming a Tactical Warlord. If you choose the latter, be sure to pick up Tactician's Word (from Dragon) and Tactical Assault as feats, since they are awesome.

 

[Mengu]

I must say it's very well built. Your Commander's Strike is a pretty impressive +3 attack +11 damage. You can use Force Retreat effectively with your Bracers of Mental Might if you ever do need to use it. You've got a good set of tools for everything.

One thing I would change is the human bonus at-will. I'd switch it to Inevitable Wave. But either way it's not going to get used all that often, so not very critical.

Stubborn Survivor is nice but I like some skill powers better. You could pick up Skill Power Conviction (religion Utility) to give yourself a +5 bonus to save when it really matters. Recitation, Snap Out of It, Deliverance of Faith, Everybody Move, and Stirring Speech might be some other nice options.

If you can afford it I would get an el cheapo Wand of Magic Missile, just to have it in the arsenal.

 

[JiggleFloyd]

I replied to your WotC post as well.

Yeah there are no really good lazy PPs out there other than Battle Captain, which is why I chose it. I did change my presence to Tactical though.

Yeah Tactician's Word and Tactical Assault look awesome indeed. I will remove Skill Power for Tactical Assault immediately. Tactician's Word is also nice and I may pick it up for now, but I may retrain it almost once I hit Level 16 and get the Battle Inspiration PP class feature, because by then it will be overkill imo. If my allies need more than a +7 (more if I grant them the attack with a Warlord Power) to hit something they likely rolled a 1 or 2.

 

[JiggleFloyd]

I must say it's very well built. Your Commander's Strike is a pretty impressive +3 attack +11 damage. You can use Force Retreat effectively with your Bracers of Mental Might if you ever do need to use it. You've got a good set of tools for everything.

One thing I would change is the human bonus at-will. I'd switch it to Inevitable Wave. But either way it's not going to get used all that often, so not very critical.

Stubborn Survivor is nice but I like some skill powers better. You could pick up Skill Power Conviction (religion Utility) to give yourself a +5 bonus to save when it really matters. Recitation, Snap Out of It, Deliverance of Faith, Everybody Move, and Stirring Speech might be some other nice options.

If you can afford it I would get an el cheapo Wand of Magic Missile, just to have it in the arsenal.

Thanks for the suggestions. Yeah Inevitable Wave may be more useful in rare cases, but I may get Skill Swap and be done with the bonus at-will. I may get Skill Swap instead of Stubborn Survivor too.

Ooo nice idea on the wands I can definitely put them to good use due to my INT. A Scorching Burst would be a nice encounter to have in case there are lots of minions or a Magic Missile in case I'm at a far distance.

 

[Prestidigitalis]

Your Commander's Strike is a pretty impressive +3 attack +11 damage.

I can easily see how it gets to +1 attack +9 damage, from Lend Might and Lend Strength. Where do the other +2's come from?

 

[Mengu]

I can easily see how it gets to +1 attack +9 damage, from Lend Might and Lend Strength. Where do the other +2's come from?

Golden Crown of Battle Command (paragon tier)

 

[Neonchameleon]

There's an utterly evil finesse on that build if you want it and don't mind a flatter stat spread. Drop the multiclass bard feat for multiclass fighter (and a Glaive). And then pick up Polearm Gamble and Heavy Blade Opportunity. Also see if you can drop Brash Assault and instead be an Essentials human. Still, I'd consider hybriding. And definitley go Taclord.

 

[Mengu]

By the way, post-Essentials, I totally want to be a brutal scoundrel rogue with Deft Blade in your party.

 

[Prestidigitalis]

Golden Crown of Battle Command (paragon tier)

Oh, that's awesome. If I ever get my level 3 Tactical Warlord up that high I will beg my DM for one. Probably some time around 2012, as she is in our "alternate" campaign.