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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Randomthoughts" data-source="post: 5817908" data-attributes="member: 6681248">I've played a Deva Retribution Avenger for approximately 5 levels in heroic. Here are some observations and advice I hope you find helpful; since I don't have my PC sheet in front of me, they focus more on playstyle and strategic approaches to an Avenger: * Definitely read the CharOp board link. Really good advice. As @<a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/member.php?u=59248" target="_blank">mneme</a> said, WIS is your most important stat, followed by either DEX or INT. This depends on your Censure (below). * Choosing your Censure is the most important decision you can make; it largely determines your secondary stat and gameplay. Censure of Pursuit focuses on DEX while Retribution focuses on INT. I'm most familiar with Retribution of course, but I've analyzed and seen in action the Pursuit Censure. I'm not familiar with the Unity one. * I found the gameplay for an Avenger to be weird, but interesting. It's something you'll either get used to or you'll hate it. For example, a Retribution Avenger wants to be hit by everyone except their Oath Enemy (since each hits gives INT mod dam which accumulates). Pursuit Avengers want their Oath Enemy to run away (and punishes them when they do voluntarily). But as mentioned in the CharOp boards, the Censure is more a control rather than a means of more damage. DMs will want to avoid hitting a Retribution Avenger with anyone other than the Oath Enemy...unless he can gang up on you and drop you (or your Oath Enemy is far away). DMs will want to avoid running away from a Pursuit Avenger...unless you put the monster in a position where it voluntarily wants to run away (forced movement will not trigger the Censure). * Here's how it translates into gameplay: A Pursuit Avenger hits the flanks and tries to isolate/create pockets where their Oath Enemy is alone. You don't want to jump into the middle of things.  With Retribution Avengers, things could get interesting. I played him like a freaking terminator...jumping right into the middle of (ideally minion-heavy) crowds. The ideal situation would be a bunch of low-damage minions pinging away at you so you can translate that damage into a massive hit vs the Oath Enemy. Problem is, DMs probably wouldn't fall for that. Consequently, you might be able to just run around with impunity...unless the DM finds you in a situation where he can disable you (say stun) or drop you, so you can't take advantage of that massive damage. Again, weird playstyle. * Fluff-wise, I found the Avenger to be very, very flavorful. Oath Enmity is just a great power, mechanics-wise and story-wise. If only the DM would allow you to capitalize on that.... * Finally, I would agree that Avengers aren't the top (or near the top) of the Striker food chain. I did feel overshadowed by the Ranger's big numbers. I also was unlucky; I only rolled one crit through all 5 levels. My approach to this was to diversify my build into multiclass Cleric and get some leader abilities.  EDIT: I was going to post more stuff on beginning powers. But after re-reading the CharOp link, I would only be rehashing its excellent advice. Also check out some of the new themes - Samurai and Sohei - if your GM allows it.</blockquote>

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