NEWB need ADVICE

[StingrayTheStormKing]

Hey guys. im StingrayTheStormKing. im starting up my second campaign of DND 4E and need some advice. first of all, the DM made our characters last time so i am clueless as to how to establish my character. Also there are 5 people in our party, so we were wondering what classes would be optimal for a strong party.

Here is my idea for a character so far:
race: lythari (elven werewolf)
class: barabrian-ranger

are there any suggestions of magical weapons and items that would optimize this setting?

and any suggestions for class types that work well with the Lythari. im completely oblivious and any help is appreciated

 

[the Jester]

Well, what options are available? (I ask because lythari isn't a standard choice in 4e.)

 

[StingrayTheStormKing]

I honestly have no idea. I was doing some research on classes and races via wikipedia and the compendium. I knew i wanted a lycanthrope of sorts and the lythari jumped out to me. does this mean that Lythari are not a viable race in 4e?

 

[StingrayTheStormKing]

Excuse me, i just did some reading and found that Lythari are not violent types and that the class of barbarian is farfetched. are there any other lycanthropic races or Were races useful in being a barabarian hybrid?

 

[Katana_Geldar]

Double post

 

[Katana_Geldar]

Try the shifter, they're standard.

And can I recommend not playing a hybrid on your first created character? They can be rather tricky to make well.

 

[StingrayTheStormKing]

ok, so the shifter will do. and i have also been advised against hybrids. hmmmm. are there any suggestions on the classes that will make a strong team?

my thoughts:

barbarian/fighter
swordmage/warmage
rogue/scout/ranger
paladin or warlord
psion or bard

We had similar classes the first session, but our DM engineered it that way. any suggestions?

 

[pemerton]

Another recommendation for looking at Shifter as a lycanthrope race (stats are in PHB2).

Instead of a hybrid Ranger-Barbarian - which I'd also express caution about - maybe look at one of the following:

A two-weapon barbarian, using the build in Primal Power;

Or, a throw-and-stab ranger, using the build in Martial Power 2;

Or, a beast master ranger, using the build in Martial Power 1.

Any of the above should have a barbarian-ranger feel without the complexities and potential pitfalls of a hybrid character.

 

[Destil]

As far as party composition, you'll most likely get the best results from:

At least one leader.
At least one defender, potentially two if you take a swordmage or paladin (who both have limited ability to mark more than one opponent).

That's pretty much it. Strikers/Controllers are good, but you can generally just toss them into any mix and do well. Things to note:

If you have few strikers, you want your other roles to be good damage dealers. Strength Paladin, Great Weapon Fighter, Damage focused wizard et cetera.
Likewise if you have no real controller having a class that can cover that to some degree helps (devote cleric, monk, warlock et cetera).
At least two solid melee front-line PCs (good melee basics and AC) is going to make things easier.
You generally want at least one PC with good to amazing range (anyone with a bow will do, rangers excel here).

 

[Dragon Sin-Camealot]

What I can tell from 4.0

One controller WIS based to assist the party in the dungeons.
One defender to take the beating.
And someone CHA based to get by the skill challenges.

Looks like strikers and leaders are the least important imo. The three listed above can deal damage but not as well. I'm sure there's too much information of this though.