Shin Okada
Explorer
Recently, I am using Companion Character rule (DMG2) fairly often. It works great when we cannot find enough number of players, or when some players are absent (say, catching cold). But one of the problem is that there is only few good options for defenders.
The problem is, a companion defender can only mark an opponent, and only when it hits the target with melee basic attack. Also, there is no special effect when a marked opponent makes an attack which does not include that defender.
Obviously, Paladin, especially Charisma-din is one of the best-choice. It can take Ardent Strike as it's at-will power. If it hits, the target is subject to his Divine Sanction. As Divine Sanction is not a class ability, it works. Valorous Smite, which is a level 1 encounter attack power is also great. Also, a L2+ companion character can have a utility power. Call of Challenge, which is an encounter utility power, can make all the opponent within 3 squares to his divine sanction. It complements well when he missed with his attack.
Compering to this, other Companion Defender-builds seem to be sub-per. They must rely on melee basic attack to mark an opponent. And that is a plain mark, which has no special effect when the target ignores him when making an attack.
If we use powers from Dragon Magazine, a Companion Warden can mark an opponent with Warden's Lunge power as an effect. This at least let him mark one opponent constantly (he does not need to hit). But still, he cannot mark opponents when he uses encounter attack powers.
I also tried to make some Defender companion characters based on monsters, as there are monsters which can mark the target when they hit with an attack. Bit in most of the cases, those attacks are even weaker than melee basic attacks of defender companions based on PC classes.
Any thought?
The problem is, a companion defender can only mark an opponent, and only when it hits the target with melee basic attack. Also, there is no special effect when a marked opponent makes an attack which does not include that defender.
Obviously, Paladin, especially Charisma-din is one of the best-choice. It can take Ardent Strike as it's at-will power. If it hits, the target is subject to his Divine Sanction. As Divine Sanction is not a class ability, it works. Valorous Smite, which is a level 1 encounter attack power is also great. Also, a L2+ companion character can have a utility power. Call of Challenge, which is an encounter utility power, can make all the opponent within 3 squares to his divine sanction. It complements well when he missed with his attack.
Compering to this, other Companion Defender-builds seem to be sub-per. They must rely on melee basic attack to mark an opponent. And that is a plain mark, which has no special effect when the target ignores him when making an attack.
If we use powers from Dragon Magazine, a Companion Warden can mark an opponent with Warden's Lunge power as an effect. This at least let him mark one opponent constantly (he does not need to hit). But still, he cannot mark opponents when he uses encounter attack powers.
I also tried to make some Defender companion characters based on monsters, as there are monsters which can mark the target when they hit with an attack. Bit in most of the cases, those attacks are even weaker than melee basic attacks of defender companions based on PC classes.
Any thought?
