The Best of the Best - Defenders.

[Victim]

I like Fighter, generally of the Guardian or Battlerager varieties (although polearm Greatweapon can be good too). They control movement better than many other defenders (Earth wardens are also good here), they can readily mark more than one foe, and they have a footprint on the battle that's much bigger than their immediate reach with Come and Get It.

However, post DP pallies seem to have even better area marking potential. Sanction has a bite for each marked foe, whereas a Fighter can only punish one enemy per turn.

 

[Jools]

People are underestimating the paladin here. After DP a high wisdom Paladin is incredibly kick ass and durable.

 

[AngryMojo]

I'm going with fighters simply for the movement denial. The ability to keep a monster in place allows most battles to be fought on the PC's terms, and keeps the monsters from frying squishies.

 

[Simm]

Got to go with the paladin on this one. With DP their one real disadvantage, the inability to perform multiple marks, was removed and while they may not deny damage as well as some other builds they're the only defender who can heal others to any great extent.

 

[the Jester]

The fighter's ability to stop an enemy's shifting or moving is extraordinary. I'm going with guardian fighter.

 

[Ktulu]

I've seen Chaladin, Earth Warden, Guardian fighter, assault Swordmage, shielding swordmage, and battlerager fighter.

The guardian fighter out-paced them all. Each were pretty decent, but the guardian was nigh-unstoppable, marked and harried so effectively, and almost never missed that it wins out easily, imo.

 

[Kzach]

One thing that just occurred to me as I was reading this was that the original class build from the first PHB seems to be, in the opinions of ENWorlders, either holding it's own or outpacing later builds and classes.

That right there is an argument against power creep.

 

[Thanee]

I hope that the issue doesn't resolve to "which defender can send out the most damage", because that isn't the issue.

Why not? Killing the opponents is a good way to protect others from them.

Therefore... GW Fighter.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Dice4Hire]

If you are looking for damage, then look at strikers.

I went with guardian Fighter because it is the hardest to avoid if he is right next to you. Yes, against teleporting enemies, the guardian dos not do well, but not a lot of them out there. With Earth Wardens, simply shift one and then attack whoever you like. Sure, the enemy is shifted back into position, but they still got a free shot at someone else. Wardens are the best at defending themselves, though, hands down.

Shielding Swordmages are fun, too, and probably have more fun powers than the fighters, but They are just not sticky at all, and are way on the striker end of the defender line.

I still think there is power creep, and saying because one class/build in the PHB is still rated the top in a single sele ction of classes (defender) does not prove power creep is not happening.

 

[Herschel]

If I want to "hold the line", it's a guardian fighter, if I want to pull a friend out of trouble it's a Swordmage. If I want to stand in a doorway it's a Warden and if I need to lead also it's a Paladin. If the terrain is more open I want a Tempest Fighter with a spiked chain.