D&D 4E Rambling thoughts about D&D 4th Edition

[Jim Cummins]

I think issue is how the the four roles are viewed, I do not see them as aspects in a 4 axis cartesian grid, all going in different directions, but more like: the Striker, Defender and Leader are three axis in a plane with Controller in an axis perpendicular to the other three. So that each class can be placed around the plane depending on what combination of abilities it has as a Defender/Leader/Sticker. Some are almost pure in one axis or another, others spread around the plane depending on how they are created. In addition they all project up into control depending on how controlling they can be. Because almost all the classes can exhibit "control" in one fashion or another, and only characters that focus on developing control rise far enough away from the plane to be defined a controller. Which of course is very subjective and shows why it is so hard to define a controller or explain why a character is not a controller.

 

[b_took]

I would have said that Defender and Controller are similar in that the focus of their class is limiting enemy actions.
Likewise the Striker and Controller are similar in putting damage where it needs to go.

If anything, I would put the Leader in a separate spot as the role that's about helping everybody else do their role better.