Nontraditional Warlord Concepts:
I heard a few people bring up the concern that some of the 4E classes, especially the Warlord, create an undue burden on the player to roleplay the character in a certain way. Specifically, classes with the “Leader” role feel a burden to go beyond Leader crunch and into leader fluff, roleplaying a leader character. I am not sure what side of the argument that I fall on, but thinking about it did lead me to create a few non-leading Warlord concepts, and I figured after lurking for so long I might as well bring them up here and see what everyone thinks (or what other concepts you might have).
Intelligent Warlord “Dr. House”
This grizzled old combat veteran doesn’t like to lead or be in the spotlight, in fact he is generally antisocial. The leader of his party, and to some extent the other party members, put up with his gruff demeanor because when it comes to tactical warfare he is simply the best there is. When it comes time for a strategic plan, the leader looks to “Dr. House” to come up with a brilliant strategy to pull through. During normal combat, House fights in such a way as to leave openings for his teammates to exploit and expects them to recognize the opening and take it without asking him what to do. When they do not take these openings, fight smart, or simply become wounded through their inexperience he will not hesitate to invent a clever way to call them an idiot. If the teammate can then respond with a quick retort, they get the grudging respect or nod from house that helps them pick themselves up again. Even if they don’t have a good comeback, the not-so-inspiring words from House triggers something inside them to get up and keep fighting if only to prove him wrong.
Charismatic Warlord “Sidekick”
This young adventurer makes up for what he lacks in skill or training with sheer pluck. He is so excited to be going on grand adventures with the older party members that he sets up the tent, makes the food, and in combat takes a very supportive role, running team manuevers the leader taught him (and some he came up with himself!) to set up the enemies for powerful attacks from the others. He is like the cheerleader for the team, and whenever the fight gets desperate or bleak they rely on his youthful determination and naïve moxy to inspire them to keep fighting.
Charismatic Warlord “Lover”
This caring woman has been fighting with her party members for years and has developed a deep love for each of them (and perhaps something more for one in particular). She tends to their emotional needs with care and support outside of combat, and inside of combat she fights in such a way as force the enemies away from her beloved companions. Should one of her teammates become hurt in any way, her caring nature causes her to instinctively gasp or screams out their name, which in turn inspires the injured to fight through the pain for the friend (or lover) that cares so much for them.
I don’t know if these concepts prove that you don’t have to “lead” as a leader character class, or if they prove that roleplaying a non-leader character concept while taking a leader character class is silly. What do you all think? Also, feel free to add any unusual RP concepts you might have for the Warlord or any other class to the discussion.
I heard a few people bring up the concern that some of the 4E classes, especially the Warlord, create an undue burden on the player to roleplay the character in a certain way. Specifically, classes with the “Leader” role feel a burden to go beyond Leader crunch and into leader fluff, roleplaying a leader character. I am not sure what side of the argument that I fall on, but thinking about it did lead me to create a few non-leading Warlord concepts, and I figured after lurking for so long I might as well bring them up here and see what everyone thinks (or what other concepts you might have).
Intelligent Warlord “Dr. House”
This grizzled old combat veteran doesn’t like to lead or be in the spotlight, in fact he is generally antisocial. The leader of his party, and to some extent the other party members, put up with his gruff demeanor because when it comes to tactical warfare he is simply the best there is. When it comes time for a strategic plan, the leader looks to “Dr. House” to come up with a brilliant strategy to pull through. During normal combat, House fights in such a way as to leave openings for his teammates to exploit and expects them to recognize the opening and take it without asking him what to do. When they do not take these openings, fight smart, or simply become wounded through their inexperience he will not hesitate to invent a clever way to call them an idiot. If the teammate can then respond with a quick retort, they get the grudging respect or nod from house that helps them pick themselves up again. Even if they don’t have a good comeback, the not-so-inspiring words from House triggers something inside them to get up and keep fighting if only to prove him wrong.
Charismatic Warlord “Sidekick”
This young adventurer makes up for what he lacks in skill or training with sheer pluck. He is so excited to be going on grand adventures with the older party members that he sets up the tent, makes the food, and in combat takes a very supportive role, running team manuevers the leader taught him (and some he came up with himself!) to set up the enemies for powerful attacks from the others. He is like the cheerleader for the team, and whenever the fight gets desperate or bleak they rely on his youthful determination and naïve moxy to inspire them to keep fighting.
Charismatic Warlord “Lover”
This caring woman has been fighting with her party members for years and has developed a deep love for each of them (and perhaps something more for one in particular). She tends to their emotional needs with care and support outside of combat, and inside of combat she fights in such a way as force the enemies away from her beloved companions. Should one of her teammates become hurt in any way, her caring nature causes her to instinctively gasp or screams out their name, which in turn inspires the injured to fight through the pain for the friend (or lover) that cares so much for them.
I don’t know if these concepts prove that you don’t have to “lead” as a leader character class, or if they prove that roleplaying a non-leader character concept while taking a leader character class is silly. What do you all think? Also, feel free to add any unusual RP concepts you might have for the Warlord or any other class to the discussion.
