DDI - The Seeker - PHB3 content

[Mouseferatu]

3) You're always attack AC. So you can't deciper the enemy's weak defense and attack that defense, like you can other controllers (and even non-controller classes).

I can't speak to the others until I've seen the class in play myself, but I don't think this is a weakness. It's a deliberate balancing mechanic. Unlike other controllers, the seeker primarily uses a weapon, not an implement. That means the seeker gets proficiency bonus, like martial characters, so it needs to be primarily targeting AC, like martial characters.

 

[Rechan]

I can't speak to the others until I've seen the class in play myself, but I don't think this is a weakness. It's a deliberate balancing mechanic. Unlike other controllers, the seeker primarily uses a weapon, not an implement. That means the seeker gets proficiency bonus, like martial characters, so it needs to be primarily targeting AC, like martial characters.

Oh, I understand that. The issue is more a question of the tactical variety in probing weaknesses, not balance.

 

[DracoSuave]

A friend of mine played the Seeker over the weekend, and observed some weaknesses in the class. Pretty much, they revolve around the issue of burst/blast vs. primary target/secondary target.

1) With no bursts/blasts, the Seeker can't effectively fight a swarm.

Close, Area. The shape of the effect is not relevant, walls and Cloud of Daggers are just as effective. Swarms don't mention bursts or blasts, do they?

2) Given that the powers are primary attacks with splash damage, you have to HIT the primary target for any effect to occur. Compare this with getting multiple attacks with a burst/blast. Even with Inevitable Shot, you get two attacks. If you action point a burst/blast, you get multiple attacks twice.

This isn't a new thing, Force Orb had the same problem, but I see where you're coming from.

Further, with other controllers' bursts/blasts, you can aim the effect like dropping it behind the enemies to prevent the blast from hitting allies adjacent to the monster. With the Seeker, you have to shoot the target, and if it's "all creatures adjacent", you get friendly fire.

Ranged attacker with immobilize sort of is it's own answer to this problem.

3) You're always attack AC. So you can't deciper the enemy's weak defense and attack that defense, like you can other controllers (and even non-controller classes).

AC can also be a weakness. Ah well, so you're not geared to fighting soldiers as well as a wizard. That's fine, there's other monsters that have you as their achilles heel--this is generally by role as well, so you -know- that you'll be more effective against some types of monsters. You can then plan group strategy and tactics accordingly.

So, you -can- decypher weaknesses, often by the attacks the monster makes, rather than poking it with a magic stick and seeing what works and what fails.

 

[Rechan]

Close, Area.

Yeah, area. My bad. Still, the issue does exist for the Seeker. Unless 'primary target/secondary target' = area?

Otherwise, points. I am just a repeater here. I haven't seen it in action yet.

 

[DracoSuave]

Yeah, area. My bad. Still, the issue does exist for the Seeker. Unless 'primary target/secondary target' = area?

Otherwise, points. I am just a repeater here. I haven't seen it in action yet.

It does stand, also stands for the Psion as well, for the most part. But, eh. You only see half a class with these previews, and if they have a weakness other controllers don't? Meh. They've got upside other controllers don't.

It's all good in the end.

 

[amysrevenge]

I played one.

The enemy debuffs were potent and useful, and definitely felt different from other controllers.

I liked it very much, and will continue the character.

 

[Leatherhead]

Well, I've been way too busy it seems. I didn't notice this until almost a week after the fact.

Looks like they have taken what ideas they had for a martial controller and stuck them in the primal power source. Spirits replacing poison, alchemical items, and traps. Using a bow to control a battle instead of just killing.

I wonder if it won't overlap with the ranger too much though.

 

[Destil]

I played one.

The enemy debuffs were potent and useful, and definitely felt different from other controllers.

I liked it very much, and will continue the character.

What level and how did you build 'em? What sort of fights did you have and how did you control them? What's this guy's niche in play? Single target debuffs with decent effects over an area?

I won't have a chance to play/see one in action for a while, so I'd love some detail...

 

[amysrevenge]

What level and how did you build 'em? What sort of fights did you have and how did you control them? What's this guy's niche in play? Single target debuffs with decent effects over an area?

I won't have a chance to play/see one in action for a while, so I'd love some detail...

I don't have my sheet with me, but...

Level one. Played twice (now he's level 2) in RPGA games. Found a +1 lightning greatbow (you probably can guess my level 1 feat) after the first adventure.

I only play warforged, so no exception here. Absolutely non-optimal. I paid dearly for the 18 Wis. I'm gambling that the Str build will be good (RPGA allows a class feature retrain, so when the book comes out I can do this swap), and built him with Str high, Dex low.

I found that the "area" at-will debuff was very useful. I also liked the encounter power that gives a -2 defenses debuff - it came in handy in almost every encounter (it didn't necessarily make the difference between hitting and missing that often, but just psychologically it was nice). The area burst Daily ended up doing some nice damage each time I used it. The lightning weapon was a good effect, plowing through minions like butter.

My dice were super hot though. I only got to use the Inevitable Shot ability once, in two games. lol

At level 2 I have retrained greatbow for Superior Crossbow and Raid Reload (Transfer Enchanement on the magic weapon) and purchased Eagle Eye Goggles for the RBA bonus.

I'm looking forward to playing him more. My eventual plan is to keep upgrading my Superior Crossbow, but to also maintain a Shoulderbow (hand crossbow, so focus/expertise will still apply) for a Daily RBA minor action.

 

[CapnZapp]

Did anyone else catch the "this Seeker idea was the first martial(ish) controller idea good enough" mention?

That is, did anyone else but me interpret this as "now that the Seeker is out, people wanting a martial controller have got what they will ever get"? That the Seeker makes a true martial (non-magical) controller (even more) unlikely?