Theme parties. Forked Thread: Challenge: Balanced Stealthy Party

[Mentat55]

The Iron Guard (all warforged):
Battlesmith artificer (Int/Con) or wrathful runepriest (Str/Con)
Staff or summoner wizard (Int/Con)
Two-handed weapon fighter or knight (Str/Con)
Rageblood barbarian (Str/Con)

The Planeteers:
Windsoul genasi staff or summoner wizard (Int/Con)
Watersoul genasi swordmage (Int and Str/Con)
Earthsoul genasi tactical warlord (Str/Int)
Firesoul genasi infernal warlock (Con/Int)

 

[knightofround]

Honestly I think weve got so many classes in 4e that you can pretty much make any theme work. Youve got each of the core power sources, and most races have enough diversity that youre free to make whatever you want. Gotta give 4e designers credit, they did an excellent job in making sure there was no single class that was "needed" like the 3e cleric.

At this point the only holes remaining in the class design spread are dex-based leaders/defenders and con-based controllers/leaders. Unfortunately I think it will tough to fill those holes. A dexterous leader, what would look like, a battle surgeon? Or a con-based leader, maybe some sort of necromancer who sacrifices some of their lifeforce to heal allies?

 

[mneme]

Hmm. What about Robin Hood's Band?

Robin: Elven DEX/wis Ranger (If you want quarterstff/bow, make him a scout, with Staff Fighting, otherwise Twin Strike/Fading Strike with a melee weapon).
Tuck: Half Elven Wis/cha cleric (diletante: Twin Strike, adept diletante)
Will Scarlet: Weapon/implement bard (half-elven, valour)
Little John: Goliath fighter (probably Tempest -- so that he, too, can use a quarterstaff better than Robin does).