Shaman and Spear

[Shin Okada]

A player of mine has just created an elven shaman PC. She wants to give the PC a spear or long spear, mainly for RP reason and character's looks.

Now, Totemic spear is perfect for her character concept. It is a spear and also one of the strongest shaman implement.

But there is almost no weapon power for a shaman right? Will there be any opportunity for her to use Totemic Spear actually as a spear?

Do you think Melee Training (Wisdom) worth taking? She can use it when making OA and when charging. But I wonder how often it happens.

 

[Aulirophile]

There are zero weapon powers for a Shaman.

No, not worth it. She should be at range basically 100% of the time and should never charge. Her OA action, when it is used, will be used via her Spirit ideally.

If she wants to play a spear-wielding leader several varieties of Warlord would fit the bill, or possibly a Runepriest.

 

[Shin Okada]

If she wants to play a spear-wielding leader several varieties of Warlord would fit the bill, or possibly a Runepriest.

For her, playing a shaman is more important as she can adventure with a spirit (pet).　She is a Monster Hunter fan, and willing to use an Airu miniature as her companion spirit.

 

[Black Knight Irios]

For her, playing a shaman is more important as she can adventure with a spirit (pet).　She is a Monster Hunter fan, and willing to use an Airu miniature as her companion spirit.

Play a warlord and use the spear in an efficient way, MC shaman (Spirit Talker PHB2) and you have a spirit pet as well.

 

[Shin Okada]

Play a warlord and use the spear in an efficient way, MC shaman (Spirit Talker PHB2) and you have a spirit pet as well.

That can be another way. But I guess she will likely to play a shaman with a totemic spear who don't use that spear as a weapon, than to play a warlord with a pet. I will ask her anyway. Thanks.

 

[Nifft]

Do you think Melee Training (Wisdom) worth taking? She can use it when making OA and when charging. But I wonder how often it happens.

Pole Arm Gamble is a great Longspear feat with a Wisdom prerequisite. She can get good value at Paragon tier -- it turns her into a stationary zone of moderate control.

In terms of benefiting from Melee Training, my Wizard took that feat. It's sometimes very useful to act as a flanker, and once you're flanking, it can be optimal to make a melee basic attack. Not too often, but often enough that I didn't regret the feat.

Cheers, -- N

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

She'll probably get a chance to use her longspear once in a while. Not often but here and there depending on the party make up and tactics. It may or may not be worth taking Melee Training at some point, my guess is not but its only one feat so it isn't a big deal, just low priority. I guess Polearm Gamble might enhance that some, though I doubt it will come up too much. It might provide a bit of tactical flexibility though, especially if the party defender is say a paladin where you're likely to get a few weaker enemies slipping past in some encounters.

 

[Shin Okada]

In my experience, Polearm Gamble is a great feat. But unfortunately, it needs Str of 15. I am not sure if it worth sacrificing other stats in case of Elven Shaman.

But anyway, maybe she can just try using Melee Training. If it does not work well, she can always retrain. 4e is very forgiving in this area

 

[Dr_Ruminahui]

Using a totemic spear also gives her the advantage of being able to add the weapon focus (spear) damage bonus to all of her implement attacks - which likely isn't that big of deal, but it is something.

 

[Shin Okada]

Using a totemic spear also gives her the advantage of being able to add the weapon focus (spear) damage bonus to all of her implement attacks - which likely isn't that big of deal, but it is something.

Good point! And IIRC there is a dragonshard which gives bonus to damage when a weapon is used as an implement.