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Message: <blockquote data-quote="cdrcjsn" data-source="post: 4212590" data-attributes="member: 60486">So I tried this tactic...So I was interested in this discussion and actually tried it last night with 4 players and a DM.  One of each character role.  I played the paladin archer in a Striker role.I gave the halfling a shortbow (1d8).  Lowered Str and hiked up Dex.  If Divine Challenge damage happened, he was doing about the same amount as a Ranger would, though using mainly basic ranged attacks rather than at-will or encounter powers.We ran two encounters, one in an open field and one inside a crypt-type dungeon.The first combat took 4 rounds, and the Divine Challenge trick was able to be used to do damage in three of those rounds.  It was 3 large bruisers without ranged attacks and one very mobile skirmisher.The second combat took place the same day and lasted 11 rounds.  Positioning was troublesome indoors and made it difficult to mark and run away.  Several times during the fight, I recall not marking at all because I was bloodied and didn't want to draw attention away from the Defender.  Divine Challenge damaged oppoents only 3 times during that 11 round fight.  It was up for 7 of those rounds, but opponents were able to maneuver close to me for melee or had ranged attacks.  The cramped quarters indoors definitely hurt the challenge and run tactic, since there was very little space to run to.So my impression?  It can be made to work.  But I think having a party of four definitely limited my options.  If we had a solid party of 5 with two defenders, then I can see the build doing as much damage as a real striker.The downsides?  Real Strikers have mobility options that a paladin simply does not, which makes indoor combats a lot tougher.  Other players also had a negative view about not playing according to your supposed class role, despite the numbers saying that you're an adequate replacement (I kept track of average damage for this and previous combats that had a ranger or rogue striker).</blockquote>

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