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<blockquote data-quote="Mal Malenkirk" data-source="post: 4427259" data-attributes="member: 834">IMO, Lead the attack is only much better against a solo monster.&nbsp; After all, it only grants the bonus againts a single target, though it's a whopping bonus.&nbsp; If you know for sure you will face a high percentage of solo monsters in your adventures, then it's the unequivocal best choice.&nbsp; But not all DM like to use a dragon or some other solo for each adventurer's working day.As a matter of fact, I didn't use a single solo monster from level 1-4 in my first go at 4e (which might have influenced Velmont on that account).&nbsp; I've favored big, tough brawls for the final showdown, with usually at least 2x more baddies than PCs.&nbsp; I find them more exciting.In those situation, bastion of defense crushes lead the attack.&nbsp; It's like 2 or 3time more useful, seriously.&nbsp; Lead the attack only helps you kill one guy (an elite in the best case scenario, sometime not even that) and then it's gone.&nbsp; And in a large melee, it's conceivable that you can't even arrange for all 6 PC to attack the same target if there is too much interference.&nbsp; Meanwhile Bastion works for the whole encounter.&nbsp; The addtional hps are a life savers when you get surrounded (In a group of 6you are talking 63 temp hps with 18 cha!) and the +1 to all defense is statistically bound to save you a few times when 10+ monsters are hammering you with 10+ attack rolls every round (especially if Area attacks a re involved).&nbsp; In fact, the larger the group, the more powerful Bastion becomes.&nbsp; And we're a pretty large group.Bottom line; which is better is heavily dependant on the DM's style.&nbsp; But when in doubt, consider that Bastion is still pretty good even against a solo dragon but lead the attack is fairly weak in a 'heroes' last stand' scenario.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Mal Malenkirk, post: 4427259, member: 834"] IMO, Lead the attack is only much better against a solo monster. After all, it only grants the bonus againts a single target, though it's a whopping bonus. If you know for sure you will face a high percentage of solo monsters in your adventures, then it's the unequivocal best choice. But not all DM like to use a dragon or some other solo for each adventurer's working day. As a matter of fact, I didn't use a single solo monster from level 1-4 in my first go at 4e (which might have influenced Velmont on that account). I've favored big, tough brawls for the final showdown, with usually at least 2x more baddies than PCs. I find them more exciting. In those situation, bastion of defense crushes lead the attack. It's like 2 or 3time more useful, seriously. Lead the attack only helps you kill one guy (an elite in the best case scenario, sometime not even that) and then it's gone. And in a large melee, it's conceivable that you can't even arrange for all 6 PC to attack the same target if there is too much interference. Meanwhile Bastion works for the whole encounter. The addtional hps are a life savers when you get surrounded (In a group of 6you are talking 63 temp hps with 18 cha!) and the +1 to all defense is statistically bound to save you a few times when 10+ monsters are hammering you with 10+ attack rolls every round (especially if Area attacks a re involved). In fact, the larger the group, the more powerful Bastion becomes. And we're a pretty large group. Bottom line; which is better is heavily dependant on the DM's style. But when in doubt, consider that Bastion is still pretty good even against a solo dragon but lead the attack is fairly weak in a 'heroes' last stand' scenario. [/QUOTE]

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