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The Warlord, Or How to Wield A Barbarian One-Handed (by zelink551)
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<blockquote data-quote="Nibelung" data-source="post: 6709490" data-attributes="member: 74499"><p><strong>Originally posted by zelink551:</strong></p><p></p><p>Baseline Mechanics: The Face of Glory</p><p></p><p>As is the norm in 4th Edition D&D, you belong to the "A-class" group, which is a shorthand for characters who share the same primary ability score for all builds, but have different secondaries for each one. This helps to differentiate between the builds, and it's also worth noting that most riders are build-specific anyway, so you likely won't have to worry too much about any other ability scores.</p><p></p><p>The things that stand out about your class features are your Aura-like Leader feature, which provides a static boost to everybody in your party, and your Commanding Presence, which provides an AP benefit (more reason to go for nova); everything else is pretty much standard.</p><p></p><p><strong>Game Mechanics</strong></p><p>[sblock] </p><p>Hit Points - 12 + Con score at 1st level; 5 at each level thereafter. Your HP is fair enough; you’re no Wizard, but you sure are not a Fighter, either.</p><p></p><p>Healing Surges - 7 + Con modifier. About right for your role, and they won't grow much unless you're Con-based, so get used to them. </p><p></p><p>Defense Bonuses - You get +1 to Fortitude and Will, which is nice to have, especially for Intelligence-based Warlords, since their Will defense progresses very slowly due to not having a key ability score to buff it with.</p><p></p><p><strong>Proficiencies</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Armor</span> - You get a solid amount (up to Chainmail and Light Shields), but many of you will be looking for an upgrade here at some point.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Weapons</span> - Military Melee and Simple Ranged are a good array, so you won't be hurting much for options.</p><p></p><p>Archer Warlord (MP 2) - This alternate proficiency feature is pretty decent. Skirmisher Warlords use two-handed Ranged weapons (so no need for Shields) and like Intelligence (so they'd pick Hide over Chainmail any day), so it's a nice boost for them (especially because it lets them use Strength for Ranged Basic Attacks if they favor a Bow). That said, most Warlords don't like Bows that much.</p><p>[/sblock]</p><p>[/sblock] </p><p></p><p><strong>Features</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Inspiring Word</span> - My favorite default Leader healing ability. Why? The feat support lets you use it more often than other Leaders can use theirs, and it can carry sizable buffs on certain builds. Enough said.</p><p></p><p><strong>Commanding Presence</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Bravura Presence</span> (MP) - Free attacks or move actions can turn any AP sequence into a winner (especially the former), and it works regardless of what your ability scores are. Comes with a disadvantage should you fail, but what’s life without some risk? </p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080">Insightful Presence</span> (MP 2) - Defensive bonuses on an AP. Um, yeah... AP's are supposed to be geared toward offense. The least appealing presence ability here overall.</p><p></p><p>Inspiring Presence (PHB) - A decent surge-free healing effect. Not as reliably useful as some of the others here, but not a bad idea.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Resourceful</span> Presence (MP) - Effect if you hit, effect if you miss. Requires two ability scores, but you’ll always get something out of it, and neither effect is lame (the hit effect is actually pretty nasty). Nice. </p><p></p><p>Skirmishing Presence (MP 2) - A sizable shift on an AP that keys off of either Intelligence or Wisdom (if you want to use Archer Warlord, it behooves you to pick Intelligence). A solid effect overall.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Tactical Presence</span> (PHB) - Attack buffing on an AP is just begging for your allies to bust out their best shots right then and there, and it can be made even better. Nice.</p><p>[/sblock] </p><p></p><p><strong>Leader Feature</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p>Battlefront Leader (MP 2) - You allow yourself or an ally a free shift every encounter, and you get Heavy Shields as an add-on to your proficiencies. Pretty good, especially for those who spend more time in the frontline. This is going to be taken more for the Heavy Shield and easy access to scale than the Shift feature, although its a solid bit.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080">Canny Leader</span> (MP 2) - While bonuses to skills are nice (and bonuses to Perception are particularly powerful), this benefit is just not as good as the other two features here. Because it pales compared to the other two, I can't in good graces recommend this.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Combat Leader</span> (PHB) - Going first is never bad, and it has upgrades available if you favor Intelligence or Charisma. The feature of choice for most Warlords.</p><p>[/sblock]</p><p>[/sblock]</p><p><strong>Lazy?</strong></p><p>[sblock] </p><p><span style="color: #00ccff"><strong>STR based Warlord </strong></span>- This is the standard Warlord, and in my opinion, the stronger of the two builds. It does have limitations, namely hitting, but the powers are better and more varied, you'll contribute to party damage, you don't run away hiding, and you actually roll d20s! This is also a more versatile warlord, as you don't rely solely on your party members.<strong></strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong></strong><span style="color: #0000ff"><strong>Lazylord</strong></span> - Not a bad option if done right, but it comes with limitations.</p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Ability Scores: The Mettle of Glory</p><p></p><p>Warlords may have the wackiest stat spreads of any character in the game: more than once, one build's dumpstat is another's secondary, so the ratings will reflect that spread-out nature.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #ffcc00">Strength</span> - This is your main stat. No exceptions. Boost it every chance you get. Unles...you're a lazylord, then you <span style="color: #ff0000"><strong>dump this unto oblivion</strong></span><strong>.</strong></p><p>Recommended Starting Score: Most Warlords want 16-18, before racial adjustments. Lazylords can throw an 8 here.</p><p></p><p>Constitution - Adds HP and healing surges, which are always good to have. Axes require some Constitution investment. Not quite priority 1 for the vast majority of Warlord builds, though few Warlords can truly afford to skimp on this stat.</p><p>Recommended Starting Score: 10-14, before racial adjustments.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080">Dexterity</span> - Gives you Initiative, Reflex defense and AC in light armor. Heavy Blades require moderate Dex investment, whereas Flails and Spears are a bit higher, though few Warlords go for Weapon Mastery at all. Intelligence-based Warlords could care less about it, though, since it's redundant with their secondary stat defensively. This may be as close to a universal dump stat as the Warlord will ever find.</p><p>Recommended Starting Score: 8-14, before racial adjustments.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Intelligence</span> - This stat goes from the <span style="color: #00ccff">unquestioned secondary</span> for Taclords, Resourceful Warlords, and Skirmisher Warlords, to a relative <span style="color: #800080">dump stat</span> for the rest. Still, it is a must for anyone considering light armor, since Dexterity doesn't cut the mustard for most Warlords and it's a player in your skill list.</p><p>Recommended Starting Score: 10-16, before racial adjustments.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #ff0000">Wisdom</span> - There are exactly 2 builds that bother pumping points into this ability score: certain Insightful Warlords and Skirmishing Warlords, who consider it a <span style="color: #0000ff">secondary stat</span>, and Polearm builds, who need a decent investment. Everyone else <strong><span style="color: #ff0000">dumps it, and dumps it hard</span>. </strong>I should mention, though, that the Insightful Presence is subpar, and Skirmishing Warlords should almost always take Intelligence over Wisom, since INT benefits so many things, so I have trouble recommending this in good faith except in pretty niche cases.</p><p>Recommended Starting Score: 8-14, before racial adjustments.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Charisma</span> - Boosts a bevy of useful skills for you, and gives you some rider effects to boot, even if you're not Cha-based (which some of the Warlord builds are). Like Intelligence, this goes from a nice secondary to Resourceful Warlords, an <span style="color: #00ccff">unquestioned secondary</span> for Insightful Warlords, Inspiring Warlords and some Bravelords to a virtual dump for the rest. Intelligence-based Warlords might want to have a decent score here, though; there are a lot of Cha-based riders that aren't Presence-specific for Warlords, particularly on the healing powers. And you badly want a decent will score, and Charisma is 98% of the time going to be the stat for that over Wisdom.</p><p>Recommended Starting Score: 10-16, before racial adjustments.</p><p></p><p>Races: Destined For Glory</p><p></p><p>While a Warlord has a multitude of potential builds, there are a select few races that match up better than the rest. Those are the following:</p><p></p><p><strong>Str/Int Warlord</strong> - Genasi.</p><p><strong>Str/Cha Warlord</strong> - Dragonborn, Vryloka.</p><p><strong>Str/Int/Cha Warlord </strong>- Tiefling<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Int/Cha Warlord - </strong>Pixie, Tiefling, Eladrin<strong></strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong></strong>A notable addendum is that <strong>Humans </strong>are great at virtually any stripe of Warlord.<strong></strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Races - PHB</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Dragonborn</span> - One of the best Warlord races out there. It has the attribute bonuses in the right places for most builds, has a racial power that expands your capabilities by allowing to attack in an area, hands out solid skill bonuses, and gets a buff when he’s beaten and battered. Good at most Warlord builds, but it truly exemplifies what a Bravura Warlord should look like. </p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Dwarf</span> - While he may not get the ideal secondary attribute, the fact of the matter is this race is one of the toughest in the game, which makes it appealing to everyone, especially to the risk-taking Bravura Warlord build. Sprinkle in some quality racial support, and this race is worth a look, especially now that it has a Strength bonus to bolster its case. </p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Eladrin</span> - No Strength bonus? Not much of a problem, at least not when your racial support is as good as theirs is. They were meant to be good Tactical Warlords by game design, and Skirmishing Warlords will also benefit a-plenty from their abilities.</p><p></p><p><strong>Elf</strong> - A reroll as an Encounter power and extra speed are nice perks, and it at least has access to an Intelligence bump to make a case for itself. The reroll makes this really tempting, but the lack of any support, and Dex isn't that great. Still, a reroll...</p><p></p><p>Half-Elf - Another race that doesn’t mind lacking a Strength bonus too much, mainly thanks to the sweet utility the Dilettante ability (and its feat support) brings to the table, as well as a racial bonus to Charisma. They are best at being Inspiring Warlords overall, but are good at any Cha-based build. </p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080">Halfling</span> - Being a Small Melee character is not the greatest idea, and your attribute bonuses are solid, but not exceptional. The racial support is also nice, but nothing to really lift this race out of being a disappointing pick.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Human</span> - If you’re willing to live with the slightly lower rider effects, this race is fantastic for Warlords, as it is well-defended and versatile, thanks to the extra feat and At-Will (which in some cases you can swap for a big-time accuracy booster in Heroic Effort). However, never lose sight of the fact that your primary ability score is STRENGTH, OK? </p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Tiefling</span> - Again, no Strength bonus (boo), but bonuses to two secondary abilities make Resourceful Warlord look better, and Hellfire Blood can improve your accuracy somewhat. A fantastic choice, especially considering the racial support. Another point to note, this is one of the few effective ways to be a Tactical Warlord and grab Supreme Inspiration, which is amazing.</p><p>[/sblock] </p><p></p><p><strong>Races - PHB 2</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p>Deva - +2 to two secondaries instead of one and a "add a little extra to your roll" make this slightlly more palatable than the Elf, but still average overall. </p><p></p><p>Gnome - Basically a Small Tiefling with abilities to make him a bit more slippery. Meh.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Goliath</span> - Strength and Constitution and/or Wisdom are always welcome (especially among the Bravelords), and the racial power makes you even tougher. A good enough choice. </p><p></p><p>Half-Orc - Though Dexterity isn’t what most Warlords are looking for, it can help if you actually plan to grab a Weapon Mastery feat, and Strength and extra damage are never bad to have.</p><p></p><p>Shifter, Longtooth - +2 to Strength and Wisdom makes this an attractive option for a Polearm-wielding Taclord, and the racial power is strong enough to make this a good (if not the best) choice for Insightful Warlords.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080">Shifter, Razorclaw</span> - As far as you’re concerned, this is just about the same as the Elf... except the increased mobility isn’t always there and you don’t have a reroll. Lame.</p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p><strong>Races - PHB 3</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p>Githzerai - It is slightly more Melee-oriented than the Elf (and Githzerai Blade Master is made of win), and you do get the option of grabbing an Int bonus. You could do worse for a Warlord.</p><p></p><p>Minotaur - PHB 3 has come and gone, and left Minos with the lovely gift of ability score versatility. This makes you good at the Insightful build, should you favor Wisdom, and a free healing surge is a nice extra toy to have.</p><p></p><p>Shardmind - You get the most flexible mental ability score array in the game, and you get more racial skill bonuses than anybody else. While that's well and good, what makes the race appeal to Warlords IMHO is the telepathy benefit for communication. A serviceable choice.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080">Wilden</span> - You have a choice between two marginal ability score arrays for you, and you get a racial power that appeals to every role except yours. Nah.</p><p>[/sblock] </p><p></p><p><strong>Races - Other Rulebooks</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p><span style="color: #ff0000">Bladeling (MOTP)</span> - Skip this, the Elf and Githzerai are better, and that’s saying something.</p><p></p><p>Changeling (EPG) - Buffs two secondary abilities, which is nice, and the shapechanger ability can be useful. It's only an average pick, though. </p><p></p><p>Drow (FRPG) - The Cloud of Darkness business is cool, as is the Darkfire, and Charisma helps, so it’s not a total loss, but it's prety close to it. </p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Genasi (FRPG)</span> - One of the premier Warlord races, especially for Tactical Warlords, because it’s the only race that boosts both of their preferred attributes. Tack on some quality racial support, and you have an excellent candidate. </p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080">Goblin</span> (<span style="color: #800080">DSH</span>) - Slightly weaker than the Halfling because of no racial feats, it has the same racial stat allotments, which are not spectacular for Warlords, plus it's Small.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080"><strong>Hamadryad (HotF)</strong></span> - You're better at being something else. Wis/Int isn't bad for a lazylord, but you should probably be a Deva. And Int/Wis isn't that good to begin with anyways. The racial isn't bad, but look elsewhere.</p><p></p><p>Kalashtar (EPG) - Though it is somewhat Leader-oriented and possesses two secondary ability score bonuses, the rest of the race is very mediocre for a Warlord.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080">Kobold</span> (DSH) - They got a promotion to legit player content and...are all in all pretty bad. Not much here is Warlord material, only a decent racial power, a bump to Charisma, and Darkvision save it from red.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff"><strong>Mul (DSCS)</strong></span> - Dwarf or Human support with this kind of toughness is nice to have on a Warlord.</p><p></p><p><strong>Pixie (HotF)</strong> - I'm rather unsure of where to rate this. As a standard warlord, you're like a tiefling with really limited weapon options and no feat support. But for lazylords? You're <span style="color: #00ccff"><strong>cream of the crop.</strong></span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080"><strong>Revenant (HoS)</strong></span> - The attribute bonuses don’t really agree with your talents, and most of the useful stuff you could poach belongs to a race whose initial attributes fit you better. Weak.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080"><strong>Satyr (HotF)</strong></span> - This, I'll pass on. Con/Cha isn't bad per se, but you've got nothing else going for you. Other races are simply better.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #ff0000"><strong>Shade (HoS)</strong></span> - Losing a surge doesn't help what was already a middle-of-the-road racial package. I wouldn't. Can I go lower than red?</p><p></p><p><strong>Svirfneblin (DSH)</strong> - Strength/Wisdom isn't awful, but the entire package isn't stellar. Barely black.</p><p></p><p><strong>Thri-Kreen (DSCS)</strong> - The ability scores and general focus of the race seem more in line with a Striker or a Defender, but that doesn't make it all bad.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff"><strong>Vryloka (HoS)</strong></span> - Blood Dependency is annoying, but the perfect racial bumps for a Chalord and extra speed more than make up for it.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Warforged (EPG)</span> - These guys are tough as nails, have a Strength bonus, and a bunch of useful racial abilities. A very strong pick, especially for Bravelords.</p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p><strong>Races - Dragon</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p><span style="color: #ff0000">Gnolls (D 367)</span> - Likely the worst attribute array for a Warlord, and all the abilities scream Striker. Avoid like the plague.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: #800080">Hengeyokai (D 404)</span></strong> - You aren't awful, but you're pretty damn bad. High speed is nice, but Dex goes to waste, and you have the same stats as a Halfling but without the feat support.</p><p></p><p>Shadar-Kai (D 372) - A bit weaker than Eladrin, because of the lack of synergistic racial support with the build, but still not a bad idea for Taclords overall.</p><p></p><p>Kenku (D 411) - Having been gifted with the Int/Cha stat bumps is enough of a boon to bump them to black. The bonus to hit for flanking is also nice since you lack a Str bump.</p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p><strong>Races - Monster Manuals</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p>Bugbear (MM) - +2 Strength and Oversized makes you good at dealing damage, which is always good. +2 Dexterity is not all that useful, but it’s still a good choice.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #ff0000">Bullywug (MM 2)</span> - Basically a Gnoll with more conditional abilities. Yuck. </p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080">Duergar (MM 2)</span> - It's the Dwarf... minus some of the toughness and all the great racial support. Skip. </p><p></p><p>Githyanki (MM) - Meh. +2 Con is OK, +2 Int is good, and while the racial abilities are nice, there’s nothing that will make you jump out and pick this race. </p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080">Hobgoblin (MM)</span> - These guys are about the same as Half-Elves, sans the beauty that is Dilettante (ah, well). So, all in all, subpar.</p><p></p><p>Orc (MM) – It has the Strength bonus you need, plus a self-healing ability (not as good for you as it is for a Defender or a Striker, but hey).</p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Skills: The Wiles of Glory</p><p></p><p>You get a solid amount of skills (4), without any restrictions whatsoever as to what you may take. This can let you get a solid degree of out-of-combat utility, especially if you decide to serve as the party face or knowledge source.</p><p></p><p><strong>Class Skills</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Athletics</span> - It keys off your main stat, and allows you to get a lot of things done. What's not to love?</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Diplomacy</span> - While it's most useful in the hands of a Warlord who favors Charisma, it's thematic gold for all of them, and Leaders are kind of expected to have some sort of social acumen.</p><p></p><p>Endurance - While this skill will likely be crucial in some situations, you have access to other skills that cover that same role on stats that are mildly more favorable to you. Consider it if you dumped Wisdom and/or have a racial bonus for it.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080">Heal</span> - Most Warlords dump Wisdom hard, limiting its appeal. The ones that don't will like it.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">History</span> - This is the Intelligence-based equivalent of Diplomacy: you're expected to have it regardless of your build, so you might as well get it.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Intimidate</span> - Can potentially be very useful, but requires a sky-high Charisma score for it. A very fluffy choice, though, especially for Bravelords, who actually can (and should) take advantage of it.</p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p><strong>Recommended Non-Class Skills</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Arcana</span> - You're likely stepping on someone's toes by picking this skill, but if you're Intelligence-based and he isn't, your party will benefit. If you could, I would take it, especially if the party lacks a Wizard or the like.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Bluff</span> - I don't know how this managed to elude the Warlord's list, but it's a very nice pickup for Charisma-based Warlords.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080">Insight</span> - Another mysterious no-show on your class skills, this gives the Wisdom-based Warlords the ability to handle social situations without having to ask the party radar to sit next to them all the time. Still, why do you have high Wisdom?</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080">Perception</span> - If you're Wisdom-based, you want this, and you want it now. Except...that means you aren't Int or Cha based.</p><p></p><p>Religion - More or less the same thought process as Arcana: your party wins if you're Intelligence-based and the party Divine character isn't (which is kind of the norm with regards to parties where Warlords pick up this skill).</p><p>[/sblock]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Nibelung, post: 6709490, member: 74499"] [b]Originally posted by zelink551:[/b] Baseline Mechanics: The Face of Glory As is the norm in 4th Edition D&D, you belong to the "A-class" group, which is a shorthand for characters who share the same primary ability score for all builds, but have different secondaries for each one. This helps to differentiate between the builds, and it's also worth noting that most riders are build-specific anyway, so you likely won't have to worry too much about any other ability scores. The things that stand out about your class features are your Aura-like Leader feature, which provides a static boost to everybody in your party, and your Commanding Presence, which provides an AP benefit (more reason to go for nova); everything else is pretty much standard. [b]Game Mechanics[/b] [sblock] Hit Points - 12 + Con score at 1st level; 5 at each level thereafter. Your HP is fair enough; you’re no Wizard, but you sure are not a Fighter, either. Healing Surges - 7 + Con modifier. About right for your role, and they won't grow much unless you're Con-based, so get used to them. Defense Bonuses - You get +1 to Fortitude and Will, which is nice to have, especially for Intelligence-based Warlords, since their Will defense progresses very slowly due to not having a key ability score to buff it with. [b]Proficiencies[/b] [sblock] [COLOR=#0000ff]Armor[/COLOR] - You get a solid amount (up to Chainmail and Light Shields), but many of you will be looking for an upgrade here at some point. [COLOR=#0000ff]Weapons[/COLOR] - Military Melee and Simple Ranged are a good array, so you won't be hurting much for options. Archer Warlord (MP 2) - This alternate proficiency feature is pretty decent. Skirmisher Warlords use two-handed Ranged weapons (so no need for Shields) and like Intelligence (so they'd pick Hide over Chainmail any day), so it's a nice boost for them (especially because it lets them use Strength for Ranged Basic Attacks if they favor a Bow). That said, most Warlords don't like Bows that much. [/sblock] [/sblock] [b]Features[/b] [sblock] [COLOR=#00ccff]Inspiring Word[/COLOR] - My favorite default Leader healing ability. Why? The feat support lets you use it more often than other Leaders can use theirs, and it can carry sizable buffs on certain builds. Enough said. [b]Commanding Presence[/b] [sblock] [COLOR=#0000ff]Bravura Presence[/COLOR] (MP) - Free attacks or move actions can turn any AP sequence into a winner (especially the former), and it works regardless of what your ability scores are. Comes with a disadvantage should you fail, but what’s life without some risk? [COLOR=#800080]Insightful Presence[/COLOR] (MP 2) - Defensive bonuses on an AP. Um, yeah... AP's are supposed to be geared toward offense. The least appealing presence ability here overall. Inspiring Presence (PHB) - A decent surge-free healing effect. Not as reliably useful as some of the others here, but not a bad idea. [COLOR=#0000ff]Resourceful[/COLOR] Presence (MP) - Effect if you hit, effect if you miss. Requires two ability scores, but you’ll always get something out of it, and neither effect is lame (the hit effect is actually pretty nasty). Nice. Skirmishing Presence (MP 2) - A sizable shift on an AP that keys off of either Intelligence or Wisdom (if you want to use Archer Warlord, it behooves you to pick Intelligence). A solid effect overall. [COLOR=#00ccff]Tactical Presence[/COLOR] (PHB) - Attack buffing on an AP is just begging for your allies to bust out their best shots right then and there, and it can be made even better. Nice. [/sblock] [b]Leader Feature[/b] [sblock] Battlefront Leader (MP 2) - You allow yourself or an ally a free shift every encounter, and you get Heavy Shields as an add-on to your proficiencies. Pretty good, especially for those who spend more time in the frontline. This is going to be taken more for the Heavy Shield and easy access to scale than the Shift feature, although its a solid bit. [COLOR=#800080]Canny Leader[/COLOR] (MP 2) - While bonuses to skills are nice (and bonuses to Perception are particularly powerful), this benefit is just not as good as the other two features here. Because it pales compared to the other two, I can't in good graces recommend this. [COLOR=#00ccff]Combat Leader[/COLOR] (PHB) - Going first is never bad, and it has upgrades available if you favor Intelligence or Charisma. The feature of choice for most Warlords. [/sblock] [/sblock] [b]Lazy?[/b] [sblock] [COLOR=#00ccff][b]STR based Warlord [/b][/COLOR]- This is the standard Warlord, and in my opinion, the stronger of the two builds. It does have limitations, namely hitting, but the powers are better and more varied, you'll contribute to party damage, you don't run away hiding, and you actually roll d20s! This is also a more versatile warlord, as you don't rely solely on your party members.[b] [/b][COLOR=#0000ff][b]Lazylord[/b][/COLOR] - Not a bad option if done right, but it comes with limitations. [/sblock] Ability Scores: The Mettle of Glory Warlords may have the wackiest stat spreads of any character in the game: more than once, one build's dumpstat is another's secondary, so the ratings will reflect that spread-out nature. [COLOR=#ffcc00]Strength[/COLOR] - This is your main stat. No exceptions. Boost it every chance you get. Unles...you're a lazylord, then you [COLOR=#ff0000][b]dump this unto oblivion[/b][/COLOR][b].[COLOR=#ff0000][/COLOR][/b][COLOR=#ff0000][/COLOR] Recommended Starting Score: Most Warlords want 16-18, before racial adjustments. Lazylords can throw an 8 here. Constitution - Adds HP and healing surges, which are always good to have. Axes require some Constitution investment. Not quite priority 1 for the vast majority of Warlord builds, though few Warlords can truly afford to skimp on this stat. Recommended Starting Score: 10-14, before racial adjustments. [COLOR=#800080]Dexterity[/COLOR] - Gives you Initiative, Reflex defense and AC in light armor. Heavy Blades require moderate Dex investment, whereas Flails and Spears are a bit higher, though few Warlords go for Weapon Mastery at all. Intelligence-based Warlords could care less about it, though, since it's redundant with their secondary stat defensively. This may be as close to a universal dump stat as the Warlord will ever find. Recommended Starting Score: 8-14, before racial adjustments. [COLOR=#0000ff]Intelligence[/COLOR] - This stat goes from the [COLOR=#00ccff]unquestioned secondary[/COLOR] for Taclords, Resourceful Warlords, and Skirmisher Warlords, to a relative [COLOR=#800080]dump stat[/COLOR] for the rest. Still, it is a must for anyone considering light armor, since Dexterity doesn't cut the mustard for most Warlords and it's a player in your skill list. Recommended Starting Score: 10-16, before racial adjustments. [COLOR=#ff0000]Wisdom[/COLOR] - There are exactly 2 builds that bother pumping points into this ability score: certain Insightful Warlords and Skirmishing Warlords, who consider it a [COLOR=#0000ff]secondary stat[/COLOR], and Polearm builds, who need a decent investment. Everyone else [b][COLOR=#ff0000]dumps it, and dumps it hard[/COLOR]. [/b]I should mention, though, that the Insightful Presence is subpar, and Skirmishing Warlords should almost always take Intelligence over Wisom, since INT benefits so many things, so I have trouble recommending this in good faith except in pretty niche cases. Recommended Starting Score: 8-14, before racial adjustments. [COLOR=#0000ff]Charisma[/COLOR] - Boosts a bevy of useful skills for you, and gives you some rider effects to boot, even if you're not Cha-based (which some of the Warlord builds are). Like Intelligence, this goes from a nice secondary to Resourceful Warlords, an [COLOR=#00ccff]unquestioned secondary[/COLOR] for Insightful Warlords, Inspiring Warlords and some Bravelords to a virtual dump for the rest. Intelligence-based Warlords might want to have a decent score here, though; there are a lot of Cha-based riders that aren't Presence-specific for Warlords, particularly on the healing powers. And you badly want a decent will score, and Charisma is 98% of the time going to be the stat for that over Wisdom. Recommended Starting Score: 10-16, before racial adjustments. Races: Destined For Glory While a Warlord has a multitude of potential builds, there are a select few races that match up better than the rest. Those are the following: [b]Str/Int Warlord[/b] - Genasi. [b]Str/Cha Warlord[/b] - Dragonborn, Vryloka. [b]Str/Int/Cha Warlord [/b]- Tiefling[b] Int/Cha Warlord - [/b]Pixie, Tiefling, Eladrin[b] [/b]A notable addendum is that [b]Humans [/b]are great at virtually any stripe of Warlord.[b] [/b] [b]Races - PHB[/b] [sblock] [COLOR=#00ccff]Dragonborn[/COLOR] - One of the best Warlord races out there. It has the attribute bonuses in the right places for most builds, has a racial power that expands your capabilities by allowing to attack in an area, hands out solid skill bonuses, and gets a buff when he’s beaten and battered. Good at most Warlord builds, but it truly exemplifies what a Bravura Warlord should look like. [COLOR=#0000ff]Dwarf[/COLOR] - While he may not get the ideal secondary attribute, the fact of the matter is this race is one of the toughest in the game, which makes it appealing to everyone, especially to the risk-taking Bravura Warlord build. Sprinkle in some quality racial support, and this race is worth a look, especially now that it has a Strength bonus to bolster its case. [COLOR=#0000ff]Eladrin[/COLOR] - No Strength bonus? Not much of a problem, at least not when your racial support is as good as theirs is. They were meant to be good Tactical Warlords by game design, and Skirmishing Warlords will also benefit a-plenty from their abilities. [b]Elf[/b] - A reroll as an Encounter power and extra speed are nice perks, and it at least has access to an Intelligence bump to make a case for itself. The reroll makes this really tempting, but the lack of any support, and Dex isn't that great. Still, a reroll... Half-Elf - Another race that doesn’t mind lacking a Strength bonus too much, mainly thanks to the sweet utility the Dilettante ability (and its feat support) brings to the table, as well as a racial bonus to Charisma. They are best at being Inspiring Warlords overall, but are good at any Cha-based build. [COLOR=#800080]Halfling[/COLOR] - Being a Small Melee character is not the greatest idea, and your attribute bonuses are solid, but not exceptional. The racial support is also nice, but nothing to really lift this race out of being a disappointing pick. [COLOR=#00ccff]Human[/COLOR] - If you’re willing to live with the slightly lower rider effects, this race is fantastic for Warlords, as it is well-defended and versatile, thanks to the extra feat and At-Will (which in some cases you can swap for a big-time accuracy booster in Heroic Effort). However, never lose sight of the fact that your primary ability score is STRENGTH, OK? [COLOR=#00ccff]Tiefling[/COLOR] - Again, no Strength bonus (boo), but bonuses to two secondary abilities make Resourceful Warlord look better, and Hellfire Blood can improve your accuracy somewhat. A fantastic choice, especially considering the racial support. Another point to note, this is one of the few effective ways to be a Tactical Warlord and grab Supreme Inspiration, which is amazing. [/sblock] [b]Races - PHB 2[/b] [sblock] Deva - +2 to two secondaries instead of one and a "add a little extra to your roll" make this slightlly more palatable than the Elf, but still average overall. Gnome - Basically a Small Tiefling with abilities to make him a bit more slippery. Meh. [COLOR=#0000ff]Goliath[/COLOR] - Strength and Constitution and/or Wisdom are always welcome (especially among the Bravelords), and the racial power makes you even tougher. A good enough choice. Half-Orc - Though Dexterity isn’t what most Warlords are looking for, it can help if you actually plan to grab a Weapon Mastery feat, and Strength and extra damage are never bad to have. Shifter, Longtooth - +2 to Strength and Wisdom makes this an attractive option for a Polearm-wielding Taclord, and the racial power is strong enough to make this a good (if not the best) choice for Insightful Warlords. [COLOR=#800080]Shifter, Razorclaw[/COLOR] - As far as you’re concerned, this is just about the same as the Elf... except the increased mobility isn’t always there and you don’t have a reroll. Lame. [/sblock] [b]Races - PHB 3[/b] [sblock] Githzerai - It is slightly more Melee-oriented than the Elf (and Githzerai Blade Master is made of win), and you do get the option of grabbing an Int bonus. You could do worse for a Warlord. Minotaur - PHB 3 has come and gone, and left Minos with the lovely gift of ability score versatility. This makes you good at the Insightful build, should you favor Wisdom, and a free healing surge is a nice extra toy to have. Shardmind - You get the most flexible mental ability score array in the game, and you get more racial skill bonuses than anybody else. While that's well and good, what makes the race appeal to Warlords IMHO is the telepathy benefit for communication. A serviceable choice. [COLOR=#800080]Wilden[/COLOR] - You have a choice between two marginal ability score arrays for you, and you get a racial power that appeals to every role except yours. Nah. [/sblock] [b]Races - Other Rulebooks[/b] [sblock] [COLOR=#ff0000]Bladeling (MOTP)[/COLOR] - Skip this, the Elf and Githzerai are better, and that’s saying something. Changeling (EPG) - Buffs two secondary abilities, which is nice, and the shapechanger ability can be useful. It's only an average pick, though. Drow (FRPG) - The Cloud of Darkness business is cool, as is the Darkfire, and Charisma helps, so it’s not a total loss, but it's prety close to it. [COLOR=#00ccff]Genasi (FRPG)[/COLOR] - One of the premier Warlord races, especially for Tactical Warlords, because it’s the only race that boosts both of their preferred attributes. Tack on some quality racial support, and you have an excellent candidate. [COLOR=#800080]Goblin[/COLOR] ([COLOR=#800080]DSH[/COLOR]) - Slightly weaker than the Halfling because of no racial feats, it has the same racial stat allotments, which are not spectacular for Warlords, plus it's Small. [COLOR=#800080][b]Hamadryad (HotF)[/b][/COLOR] - You're better at being something else. Wis/Int isn't bad for a lazylord, but you should probably be a Deva. And Int/Wis isn't that good to begin with anyways. The racial isn't bad, but look elsewhere. Kalashtar (EPG) - Though it is somewhat Leader-oriented and possesses two secondary ability score bonuses, the rest of the race is very mediocre for a Warlord. [COLOR=#800080]Kobold[/COLOR] (DSH) - They got a promotion to legit player content and...are all in all pretty bad. Not much here is Warlord material, only a decent racial power, a bump to Charisma, and Darkvision save it from red. [COLOR=#0000ff][b]Mul (DSCS)[/b][/COLOR] - Dwarf or Human support with this kind of toughness is nice to have on a Warlord. [b]Pixie (HotF)[/b] - I'm rather unsure of where to rate this. As a standard warlord, you're like a tiefling with really limited weapon options and no feat support. But for lazylords? You're [COLOR=#00ccff][b]cream of the crop.[/b][/COLOR] [COLOR=#800080][b]Revenant (HoS)[/b][/COLOR] - The attribute bonuses don’t really agree with your talents, and most of the useful stuff you could poach belongs to a race whose initial attributes fit you better. Weak. [COLOR=#800080][b]Satyr (HotF)[/b][/COLOR] - This, I'll pass on. Con/Cha isn't bad per se, but you've got nothing else going for you. Other races are simply better. [COLOR=#ff0000][b]Shade (HoS)[/b][/COLOR] - Losing a surge doesn't help what was already a middle-of-the-road racial package. I wouldn't. Can I go lower than red? [b]Svirfneblin (DSH)[/b] - Strength/Wisdom isn't awful, but the entire package isn't stellar. Barely black. [b]Thri-Kreen (DSCS)[/b] - The ability scores and general focus of the race seem more in line with a Striker or a Defender, but that doesn't make it all bad. [COLOR=#0000ff][b]Vryloka (HoS)[/b][/COLOR] - Blood Dependency is annoying, but the perfect racial bumps for a Chalord and extra speed more than make up for it. [COLOR=#0000ff]Warforged (EPG)[/COLOR] - These guys are tough as nails, have a Strength bonus, and a bunch of useful racial abilities. A very strong pick, especially for Bravelords. [/sblock] [b]Races - Dragon[/b] [sblock] [COLOR=#ff0000]Gnolls (D 367)[/COLOR] - Likely the worst attribute array for a Warlord, and all the abilities scream Striker. Avoid like the plague. [b][COLOR=#800080]Hengeyokai (D 404)[/COLOR][/b] - You aren't awful, but you're pretty damn bad. High speed is nice, but Dex goes to waste, and you have the same stats as a Halfling but without the feat support. Shadar-Kai (D 372) - A bit weaker than Eladrin, because of the lack of synergistic racial support with the build, but still not a bad idea for Taclords overall. Kenku (D 411) - Having been gifted with the Int/Cha stat bumps is enough of a boon to bump them to black. The bonus to hit for flanking is also nice since you lack a Str bump. [/sblock] [b]Races - Monster Manuals[/b] [sblock] Bugbear (MM) - +2 Strength and Oversized makes you good at dealing damage, which is always good. +2 Dexterity is not all that useful, but it’s still a good choice. [COLOR=#ff0000]Bullywug (MM 2)[/COLOR] - Basically a Gnoll with more conditional abilities. Yuck. [COLOR=#800080]Duergar (MM 2)[/COLOR] - It's the Dwarf... minus some of the toughness and all the great racial support. Skip. Githyanki (MM) - Meh. +2 Con is OK, +2 Int is good, and while the racial abilities are nice, there’s nothing that will make you jump out and pick this race. [COLOR=#800080]Hobgoblin (MM)[/COLOR] - These guys are about the same as Half-Elves, sans the beauty that is Dilettante (ah, well). So, all in all, subpar. Orc (MM) – It has the Strength bonus you need, plus a self-healing ability (not as good for you as it is for a Defender or a Striker, but hey). [/sblock] Skills: The Wiles of Glory You get a solid amount of skills (4), without any restrictions whatsoever as to what you may take. This can let you get a solid degree of out-of-combat utility, especially if you decide to serve as the party face or knowledge source. [b]Class Skills[/b] [sblock] [COLOR=#0000ff]Athletics[/COLOR] - It keys off your main stat, and allows you to get a lot of things done. What's not to love? [COLOR=#0000ff]Diplomacy[/COLOR] - While it's most useful in the hands of a Warlord who favors Charisma, it's thematic gold for all of them, and Leaders are kind of expected to have some sort of social acumen. Endurance - While this skill will likely be crucial in some situations, you have access to other skills that cover that same role on stats that are mildly more favorable to you. Consider it if you dumped Wisdom and/or have a racial bonus for it. [COLOR=#800080]Heal[/COLOR] - Most Warlords dump Wisdom hard, limiting its appeal. The ones that don't will like it. [COLOR=#0000ff]History[/COLOR] - This is the Intelligence-based equivalent of Diplomacy: you're expected to have it regardless of your build, so you might as well get it. [COLOR=#0000ff]Intimidate[/COLOR] - Can potentially be very useful, but requires a sky-high Charisma score for it. A very fluffy choice, though, especially for Bravelords, who actually can (and should) take advantage of it. [/sblock] [b]Recommended Non-Class Skills[/b] [sblock] [COLOR=#0000ff]Arcana[/COLOR] - You're likely stepping on someone's toes by picking this skill, but if you're Intelligence-based and he isn't, your party will benefit. If you could, I would take it, especially if the party lacks a Wizard or the like. [COLOR=#0000ff]Bluff[/COLOR] - I don't know how this managed to elude the Warlord's list, but it's a very nice pickup for Charisma-based Warlords. [COLOR=#800080]Insight[/COLOR] - Another mysterious no-show on your class skills, this gives the Wisdom-based Warlords the ability to handle social situations without having to ask the party radar to sit next to them all the time. Still, why do you have high Wisdom? [COLOR=#800080]Perception[/COLOR] - If you're Wisdom-based, you want this, and you want it now. Except...that means you aren't Int or Cha based. Religion - More or less the same thought process as Arcana: your party wins if you're Intelligence-based and the party Divine character isn't (which is kind of the norm with regards to parties where Warlords pick up this skill). [/sblock] [/QUOTE]
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The Warlord, Or How to Wield A Barbarian One-Handed (by zelink551)
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