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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Nikodemus" data-source="post: 4391705" data-attributes="member: 63378">The fighter is FAR more "sticky" than the swordmage, and does a better job punishment not just his marked target, but other creatures aruond him.  The sword mage has a big edge against teleporting foes, or those who can move without provoking AoOs, but those are not common in the heroic or even paragon tier.  Reducing an attack from one creature by 8 points (at heroic tear) is nice, but I would take the additional fighter damage any day of the week.The dominant belief that I have seen on these boards is that offensive power is more desirable than defensive ones.  I think most people would rather stick the extra damage on the BBEG, than reduce his damage by 8.     Except if you are flanked or have monsters at two corners of a side, which often happens to the party member at the tip of the spear.  Then Green flame is worse, and that is hardly a corner case.  In addition, if you view the primary benefit of cleave/greenflame as clearing minions, the small amount of weapon damage are far more reliable than the small amount of fire damage, because of the number of creatures with fire resistance.    A bust 1 within 10 squares is better than a close burst 1 in almost all circumstances.  Far more versatile, and will deal much more damage over the course of an encounter.  You can't compare one class ability and make that conclusion.  Swordmages also get warding, which is a nice bonus, but inferior to a heavy shield in terms of its ability to protect.  It give 1 more AC, but no ref defense and it drops if you go down.  You also get the ability to summon your sword.Paladins get lay on hands, amd channel divinty.  As well as proficencies that are as useful, if not moreso, as the sword mage warding.  And paladins get better defense bonuses. Fighters get extra bonus to hit (which is huge) and combat superiority.  They also get the heavy shield proficency  though the lack of plate drops them a notch in my book.  Yes, swordmages have a strong set of at wills.  The class is hardly broken.  At low levels (all we can evlaute at this point) the don't stand out as better than the paladin or the fighter.  That being said, which is better for your party depends a lot on the make up of your group.  I think sword mages make a great #2 defender, though I would worry about them as the only defender in the group.</blockquote>

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