Help me find one of each Role

[Randomthoughts]

I usually GM 4e, so I'm especially excited that I'll be joining a new 4e campaign as a player. So, I'm looking for help on classes (and races too) for each role: Striker, Defender, Leader, Controller.

I like classes that are effective, but they don't have to be the best or uber (someone already got dibs on a Ranger ). Most of all, I want them to be fun to play! Ok, sure, maybe my definition of fun isn't your definition, so tell me what makes that class fun for you.

I've played a few times at cons and such. So, I have a few ideas. But I'll disclose those after seeing a few suggestions....

 

[Jester David]

Elf rogue (striker)
Deva invoker (controller)
Dwarf cleric (leader)
Dragonborn fighter (defender)

 

[Bluenose]

Dwarf (shielding) Swordmage - defender

Because you get to say "No, that doesn't hurt him much" often. Mark the nastiest enemy and wander off to smack some others with your axe, while the Ranger practices his cuisinart on them. Also, a dwarf with a big axe wading into melee in his robes amuses me.

Tiefling Warlord - leader

Go there. Hit that. And fetch my slippers while you're at it. I actually went resourceful, and the "I've a plan for everything" vibe is strong with this, since you're often able to help someone in the exact way they need.

Eladrin chaos Sorceror - ranged striker

Just die, you horrible messy creatures, and stop trying to mess up my hair and my robes, I got them from the feywild you know, they're very fashionable. Concentrate on ranged powers rather than close ones, and mess up the enemies.

Two I'd like to play:
Warforged Barbarian - melee striker
Elf (perserving) Invoker - controller

 

[Blackbrrd]

Controller: Tiefling Wizard(mage) - let stuff burn
Leader: Gnome Bard - because it's fun and gives a ton of temp HP to keep the party going.
Defender: Dwarf Fighter - is there anything more durable?
Striker: Half-orc Barbarian - smash things up

 

[Randomthoughts]

Thanks to all who've responded! Let's see....

Elf rogue (striker)
Deva invoker (controller)
Dwarf cleric (leader)
Dragonborn fighter (defender)

Jester, your list of classes mirrors most of my "short list." Instead of invoker though, I was thinking of a Wizard (Eladrin). I've played a Deva Avenger, and while it didn't "wow" me as a striker, it was chock full of flavor.

For a striker, I was thinking of a rogue (scoundrel), but I was leaning toward Changeling. I'm a bit wary of that - since its schtick is so dependent on the GM - but I've always thought it would be a cool character to play. Anyone have experience with Changelings?

Dwarf (shielding) Swordmage - defender
Tiefling Warlord - leader
Eladrin chaos Sorceror - ranged striker

Two I'd like to play:
Warforged Barbarian - melee striker
Elf (perserving) Invoker - controller

Unforuntately, another player has dibs on a Warlord (I've seen them in action in my Dark Sun campaign and they'd definitely be on my short list otherwise). A player also ran a Swordmage and it seemed pretty effective (there was a power that completely negated an attack IIRC). But how does that compare to a fighter - my impression is that fighters have a lot of tools at their disposal and damage is pretty good too.

Interesting - two recommendations for an Invoker. What about them is more interesting than a wizard?

Finally,

Controller: Tiefling Wizard(mage)
Leader: Gnome Bard
Defender: Dwarf Fighter
Striker: Half-orc Barbarian

I was leaning toward an Elandrin Wizard (a bit cliche I know), but I've never considered Tiefling. Hmmm... Dwarven Fighter was exactly what I was looking for. That's definitely on the list! I was leaning toward the cleric - a safe choice - but the bard sounds really interesting. I've never played one before, and the games I've ran, no one had chosen it.

 

[Blackbrrd]

If you go with Tiefling, it's the feat Hellfire Blood that makes them good, granting +1 to hit/damage with fire or fear attacks. To get around fire resistance you either need some feats from Dungeon or the level 10 Evoker (wizard, mage) feature that lets you ignore resistances (but not immunities). They are decent as blasters, although Genasis probably are better, damage wise at least. The Tiefling has greater accuracy.

I had a bard in the last group I DM-ed, and he did a very good job of keeping people on their feet. Lots of temp hp all around.

 

[the Jester]

For a defender, I love the warden, since you get that "make one save at the start of your turn" ability that helps you avoid deadly conditions and stuff.
For a leader, I love the warlord, since I've loved high-Int fighters since 1e.
For a striker, I love the avenger, since it drips flavor and has some awesome accuracy via its oath.
For a controller... well, despite running 4e since its inception, I've yet to see anything but a wizard controller in play (oh, and one seeker, actually) (I think we have had about five or six wizards, of various types)! So I'd go with anything else... maybe an invoker. Invokers look cool.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Striker: the Essentials "thief" is amazing at this role. Take Tactical Trick, and you'll have sneak attack pretty much every round without trying.

The slayer is pretty good if you're looking for someone tougher. It's a bit oddly built though. (Dex is a secondary stat, but you're expected to wear heavy armor. Huh.)

Defender: I like both the weaponmaster (PH1) and knight (Essentials). The weaponmaster is more complicated though.

Leader: I like the warlord for combat purposes, but the cleric I think suits flavor better (the PH1 laser version, not the Essentials version). I think the warlord is too good at healing for flavor purposes, the healing is for balance reasons.

Controller: the wizard is the best controller, either the PH1 or Essentials version. I like the PH1 version slightly more, especially the orb version who uses cold spells such as Icy Rays (immobilize up to two opponents) and Blast of Cold (immobilize in a cold blast). I'm also a fan of spells that blind opponents, although that's a bit frustrating on the DM's side.

 

[MarkB]

I've had a lot of fun playing a half-elf Bravura Warlord - practically his whole schtick is granting allies extra attacks, but he's an excellent healer too.

The best striker I've seen is a Dragonborn Barbarian, in the same group as the warlord. He basically fulfils the Striker role simply by pumping out massive damage when he hits, but he's also worked in quite a bit in terms of improved Charge attacks, better criticals, and lots of extra attacks due to either scoring a crit or dropping an enemy.

Between the warlord's bonuses and the barbarian's own abilities, it's fairly common for him to string together devastating attack chains - I think the most he's had is 9 or 10 attacks on a single turn.

 

[Sunseeker]

Tiefling Warlock, striker.
-The power synergies are awesome and there's tons of flavor in the obvious demon-blooded character making pacts with demons. Plays into later Tiefling Paragon Paths and Epic Destinies real well too. Lots of fun powers with great flavor to them, they're a hoot to even say in game.

Human Paladin, Defender.
-Why? Because it's just so darn tropey! Throw in some light and love for all living creatures and you'll have your friends practically gagging on how holy you are.

I can't think of any real good options for leaders or controllers that people haven't already mentioned.

With regard to changelings though: They can be a lot of fun, and very annoying for other players, depending on how you run them. Remember that your clothing does not change when you change form, so either wear something very generic, or keep spare outfits around. If you're a sneaky, backstabber sort of guy, then changelings are fun because you can do all sorts of misdeeds on the side that your party(in-character) may never know about. If you're the more party-oriented type, then it's useful to be able to immitate nobles or get information on secret racist clubs or something.

It's very easy to end up doing so many things with a changeling that other players may feel you're sucking up all the game-time, so keep a limit on how much you've got running on the side, and please don't expect the DM to track everything for you.