The Controller Role Doesn't Exist

[Zamkaizer]

Dungeons & Dragons Fourth Edition's role system, despite the best intentions, presents us with several issues, not the least of which is that one of it's four roles, the controller, doesn't actually exist. The designers of the game themselves of seem to be aware of this fact, including only one instance of the role in the initial rulebooks and quietly rebranding the warlock, who previously held the title, as a striker. Much of trouble with the role has to do with how it is the only one whose functions can be expressed in terms of those of other classes (without negatives, for those who would argue semantics). Depending on who you ask the controller is either a striker that hit multiple foes at once or a defender that can use their abilities at a range. The designers' hesitancy to include even a second member of the role in the core rules, while others enjoy redundancy, would seem to indicate that they have either already been acquainted with the issue or ignorantly discovered the limited design space inherent in one-trick amalgamations of other concepts.

If the designers themselves don't quietly retire the controller role, you can be certain I will do as much in my own adaptation of the game.

 

[Scribble]

hrmm... how far up the chain do you think this one goes?

Do you think Slavicsek knows or is he being duped as well?

 

[Cadfan]

Bold words for someone who hasn't seen the class past first level, and who is basing his opinion on interpretations of the controller role by random people on a forum.

You'd do better slaughtering a chicken and reading the entrails.

 

[wedgeski]

Well, despite the fact that your tone seems to defy anyone to disagree with you, the Wizard remains the very definition of battlefield controller to me. Whether future classes will share in that role remains to be seen, but it is alive and well in that class. Dropping walls of fire to split the enemy, sending villains into planar prisons, all while flying or plane-shifting around the battlefield out of danger... why is that not the controller role again?

 

[keterys]

... the cake is a lie?

 

[Kobu]

If the designers themselves don't quietly retire the controller role, you can be certain I will do as much in my own adaptation of the game.

Well, you've got the strongly worded letter part done, might as well go all out with your planned sanctions. That will show them.

 

[Timeboxer]

It's clear to me what the controller specializes in -- it takes advantage of and manipulates battlefield shape and texture. Identical to one of the really good 3.x wizard roles, really.

 

[I'm A Banana]

I think it's more likely that the people saying the controller doesn't exist don't know exactly what a controller does.

Yes, Virginia, there is a controller.

Controllers force the enemy to act in ways that they dictate, either directly (charms, illusions, shifts, paralysis, whatever) or indirectly (If he can hit area 4, we need to stay 5 squares apart. If he can hit a burst 3, we need to stay 4 squares away from him).

Defenders try to gain enemy attention and hold it.

Strikers deal concentrated heavy damage to individual targets.

The Controller exists. I've got some minor issues with the Wizard being the only one at launch, but it's there, and it's distinct.

And I don't know of any point in which the warlock really held the role of "controller." With the focus on eldritch blast, it was really always a striker.

 

[Verys Arkon]

Right now you are catching glimpses of the wizard through a forest of trees, in fog. At night.

I think once you get access to all the walls, terrain deformations, holds, etc the controller role will be more obvious. Even so, Sleep is a pretty good control power at first level, and so is Ray of Frost.

 

[vagabundo]

I demand that this issue be put to the ENWORLD council. We need to pass a strongly worded resolution, possibly sanctions are warranted.