WotC_Miko said:
Not when the sidebar right under the leader role discussion (all of a paragraph, btw) flat-out says it's not. Oh, what the hey, here's the text:
Leader, Not Boss
Clerics and warlords (and other leaders) encourage and motivate their adventuring companions, but just because they fill the leader role doesn’t mean they’re necessarily a group’s spokesperson or commander. The “party leader”—if the group has one—might as easily be a charismatic warlock or authoritative paladin. Leaders (the role) fulfill their function through their mechanics; party leaders are born through roleplaying.
It still is misleading. I thought of the leader being a more provocative descriptor too, but ironically, the role of support seems to be missing. There are players who look for support roles to play actaully. They LIKE them.
The defination of leader is: lead·er (ldr)
n.
1. One that leads or guides.
2. One who is in charge or in command of others.
3.
a. One who heads a political party or organization.
b. One who has influence or power, especially of a political nature.
4. Music
a. A conductor, especially of orchestra, band, or choral group.
b. The principal performer in an orchestral section or a group.
5. The foremost animal, such as a horse or dog, in a harnessed team.
6. A loss leader.
7. Chiefly British The main editorial in a newspaper.
8. leaders Printing Dots or dashes in a row leading the eye across a page, as in an index entry.
9. A pipe for conducting liquid.
10. A short length of gut, wire, or similar material by which a hook is attached to a fishing line.
11. A blank strip at the end or beginning of a film or tape used in threading or winding.
12. Botany The growing apex or main shoot of a shrub or tree.
13. An economic indicator.
The first entry of a leader in the thesaurus is BOSS.
I understand that supporter is not as heroic as defender, controller or striker. I just think something that says: "I enhance the party, I do cool proactive boosting things, I interact with and protect the group and I remove the bad controller stuff that the enemy does." is the type of term that is needed but without confusing new players. Leader doesn't do this well.