Class Compendium: The Warlord (Marshal)

[Aegeri]

The Warlord doesn't really need much more. It's one of the strongest basic builds in the entire game, has had TWO entire splat books full of powers (far more than what the poor artificer, runepriest or seeker ever got or will get), has at least been entirely updated to essentials format (But little else) and has had numerous articles.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: If they never publish anything for PHB1 classes for the rest of 4E I will shed not a single tear.

Also I think it was you who wrote this on the official boards, but there is no real nerf to tactical presence. A FAQ for the PHB clarified it was supposed to work this way ages ago. The essentials warlord build just makes it 100% air-tight that is how it worked.

 

[Tony Vargas]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: If they never publish anything for PHB1 classes for the rest of 4E I will shed not a single tear.

I hear this defense of Essentials' mistreatment of the martial source a lot.

Thing is, if it is about how long a class has been out, and how much support it's already received, why does the Wizard rate 6 new builds? (Enchanter, Illusionist, Evoker, Pyromancer, Necromancer & Nethermancer).

Also I think it was you who wrote this on the official boards, but there is no real nerf to tactical presence. A FAQ for the PHB clarified it was supposed to work this way ages ago. The essentials warlord build just makes it 100% air-tight that is how it worked.

News to me. I'd never had the misfortune of playing under a DM who had read that FAQ, I guess. Hey, there are probably plenty who don't read Dragon, either...

 

[Aegeri]

Thing is, if it is about how long a class has been out, and how much support it's already received, why does the Wizard rate 6 new builds? (Enchanter, Illusionist, Evoker, Pyromancer, Necromancer & Nethermancer).

I dislike this equally as much. If you've at all seen any of my posts I have been critical - maybe crossing over into bitter at times - that Wizards is constantly remaking and reselling the original PHB classes. I've mentioned numerous times I think it's time for them to move on from reselling the PHB classes again.

Quite frankly, I will be extremely disappointed if Heroes of the Feywild is yet more fighter/wizard/cleric/paladin/insert PHB class here builds.

News to me. I'd never had the misfortune of playing under a DM who had read that FAQ, I guess. Hey, there are probably plenty who don't read Dragon, either...

It's irrelevant if it is "News" to you - it was ruled this way for ages now (More than a year ago, I think?) and this is basically just putting in what the FAQ said into the class. They might as well seeing as they rewrote it change that as well, but it's not an actual change if you've been following the way the rules actually worked

 

[Tony Vargas]

I dislike this equally as much. If you've at all seen any of my posts I have been critical - maybe crossing over into bitter at times - that Wizards is constantly remaking and reselling the original PHB classes. I've mentioned numerous times I think it's time for them to move on from reselling the PHB classes again.

Quite frankly, I will be extremely disappointed if Heroes of the Feywild is yet more fighter/wizard/cleric/paladin/insert PHB class here builds.

Considering the link between the Feywild and arcane magic, a 7th (and perhaps 8th) wizard build would seem inevitable. Most likely, you'll see several builds for HotFL & HotFK classes, and maybe a new class. The only support for pre-E will likely be 'pass through' - "a wizard can take Feymancer powers, so the PH1 has been supported."

It's irrelevant if it is "News" to you - it was ruled this way for ages now (More than a year ago, I think?) and this is basically just putting in what the FAQ said into the class. They might as well seeing as they rewrote it change that as well, but it's not an actual change if you've been following the way the rules actually worked

I wasn't being dismisive. I oppened the 'Update' document in the article, and it was right there on the first line, so I commented on it. If my comment is a year late, well, consider it a late comment on the FAQ. It really does take Tactical presence down several notches.

 

[the-golem]

I was not at all surprised at the direction they went, as I read the preview article about this a few issues back. I am pleased at the changes though, as I've been playing a Warlord at my meetup game, and some of the things were unclear. (Commander's Strike, for example, makes much more sense in the new version.)

 

[Incenjucar]

Essentials is, after all, partly about bringing back people who cling to the past, so it's only natural that 50% of development goes to cramming more wizard spells into everything.

Anyone remember the Wizard's Spell Compendium SERIES?

 

[Tony Vargas]

The Commander's Strike errata was long overdue, yes. It was clear within a few months that it needed an effect line, and needed to be very explicit about its range. (The free action thing only became really important when free-action attacks were nerfed more recently, but it makes sense.)

 

[Baumi]

Is the Paragon Path and Epic Destiny new?

I think the most awesome thing about this article is that Players/Gm's that only bought the Essential Books now finally have the Warlord too ... and for Free!

Since I am a 4E Players since day 1, I already had the Class, but it's nice to see it in a easier format again, which is great to hand out for newer players or players who feel overwhelmed by all the options that exist for the Warlord already.

 

[Tony Vargas]

No, the Paragon Paths are the same ones as in the PH. There is no Epic destiny (AFAICT, Essentials has one Epic Destiny, Indomitable Champion, for everyone). There is an entry for 'Epic Marshal' but it's just the level 21-30 class features, and notes about 'you get an Epic Destiny thingy at this level.'

 

[Walking Dad]

Oh, what do you know... it's NOT "ESSENTIALIZED"!

I can't wait to hear the cries from the anti-Essentials peanut gallery now. I hate to say "I told you so" but, oh who am I kidding...

I TOLD YOU SO.

Actually, my complain was also that 'Essentials' made the old PHB redundant (especially with the rules compendium added).

Now they start giving the remaining PHB content for free...

But no, I will not complain!!! I actually like it!!!