Playing with 1 or 2 players (plus an NPC) - What are the best classes to have?

[andarilhor]

I would say:
1 defender
1 striker
1 leader
Let your players pick 2 of then and make the NPC from the third.

 

[Stalker0]

Ranger+Cleric

Ranger in my opinion is the strongest solo class. He can sneak around, and kick the crap out of things along with excellent skills. Teh cleric can heal so has decent durability, and can handle rituals decently well.

 

[HalWhitewyrm]

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone.

 

[Nifft]

I suggest:
- One leader (not squishy)
- One striker (not squishy)

The other roles are all either squishy, or specialized in keeping squishy people safe.

Specifically, you could have a Dwarf Cleric ("balanced", both str and wis powers):
Str: 16
Con: 15 (13 +2 racial)
Dex: 10
Int: 8
Wis: 18 (16 +2 racial)
Cha: 11

... and a Dwarf Warlock (hexhammer build):
Str: 16
Con: 18 (16 +2 racial)
Dex: 10
Int: 12
Wis: 14 (12 +2 racial)
Cha: 8

Cheers, -- N

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

For one of our games, the tank and healer are the "reliable" players, and the strikers are played by the flakes.

I went with a minotaur battle cleric. Not only does he deliver a lot of healing surges, but he shoves out a lot of damage with his Large Morningstar. The tank went with a dwarven fighter, and then once that one died (the DM had this thing about really big encounters and things that would keep on someone after they were down) he went with a paladin and a swordmage. I liked his fighter better, honestly, he was way tougher.

Brad

 

[balard]

In my game, there is a human inspiring warlord and a melee eladrin ranger. Its a nice team up. The ranger have Eladrin soldier and nice Dex and Con besides Str. The warlord have armor proficiency and uses a greatsword. Use magic items to shore the shortcomings, like area attacks and extra protection.

With two players parties, striker/leader combination is very good. Just keep in mind that both have to devote some effort to be tough and rise the damage.