I still don't understand Controllers

[Leatherhead]

I just think that Controllers are missing something. Like... they need a little something extra to sum them up easily and differentiate them from the other roles.

That something would be called a class feature. Every other role has an implicit one, be it marking, bonus damage, or minor action healing. The closest thing controllers have to this is Orb of Imposition. The ideal class feature would be something that imposes a minor penalty or condition to a target that a controller hits, once per round.

 

[Cyronax]

...p. 15 PHB -- "each character class specializes in one of four basic functions in combat:

- control and area offense (controller)
- defense (defender)
- healing and support (leader)
- focused offense (striker)"

Those are the bare-bones and precise terms for what the designers originally envisioned. I say it still stands up ... but it doesn't necessarily mean they've implemented those concepts perfectly yet. Many people (from what I've seen) on these and WotC's boards seem to think that controllers are the least necessary of the four roles. On this point I tend to agree.

Anyway .. the key term is area offense, IMO. The controller does do status effects and area damage and they are offensive above all.

 

[Nifft]

Defenders make some choices bad: who to attack, for example. However, the Defender always tries to swing the choice in the same direction ("attack me instead!").

Controllers make other choices bad: bunching up in "fireball formation", for example. Since there are lots of monsters who benefit from adjacent allies, this is a form of control. Controllers can also generate difficult terrain, or punish you for moving, or punish you for not moving far enough.

Strikers seem to punish those who stray from the herd, so they probably pair quite well with Controllers -- you're blasted if you bunch up, and you're picked off if you don't.

Controllers also specialize in minion removal. Since minions are a key component of BBEG battle resource control (making PCs waste their attacks, screening so you can't target the BBEG except through cover, flanking, and Aid Another-ing), removing them removes some of his best options.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Minigiant]

Controllers make people say bad words.

(insert insult here) blinded me!
If I move I take damage, if I don't move I take damage. (insert bad word here)!

 

[Legildur]

Doesn't the Rogue get a power that blinds a bunch of targets in close blast?

Daily Rogue Attack 1 - Blinding Barrage. Close Blast 3 for some damage and blinding on a hit, or half damage otherwise. I love it!!

 

[Hereticus]

Controllers hinder, slow and disable.

In most all cases, yes.

However one of my effective tactics is to make the party hack specialist invisible, so he can get a first shot in on the evil monster.

There are a few rare exceptions to every rule.

And then there was this one time when I Feather Falled the clumsy rogue...

 

[Switchback]

Controllers get a bad rap because some other classes have a few controller type powers that step on Controllers toes.

But the Controller can step on toes too, such as a striker's, if he catches a bunch of mobs in an area spell, or one of his zones is used to repeatedly damage a creature via forced movement. It adds up.

If a Controller locks down a mob for a whole fight with save effects, that is more than just 'hindering' them, and is pretty much doing the defender's role for that specific creature.

 

[frankthedm]

Controllers are griefers. Their goal is to make the fight unfun for the foes.

 

[Kinneus]

Controllers:
1. Attack multiple foes with ease (ie., via At-Wills)
2. Inflict status effects
3. Re-shape the battlefield with pushes, pulls, slides, and (sometimes) zones.

 

[Dice4Hire]

Controllers:
1. Attack multiple foes with ease (ie., via At-Wills)
2. Inflict status effects
3. Re-shape the battlefield with pushes, pulls, slides, and (sometimes) zones.

Don't forget walls. Walls are some good tricks for a good controller.