Tweaking party composition

[tiornys]

Eh, I'd avoid a gouge-charge build just because it looks like your party isn't super-optimized, and such a build very much is. Charge is the strongest and easiest thing to abuse in the rules right now by far.

I agree with this, but I also wasn't advocating a charging build. Just within the Fighter power list, Axes and Spears do better on straight damage than Hammers, plus there's the reduced need for Constitution.

Still, some groups find even the idea of the Gouge to be cheesy, and in that case definitely avoid it. I'd still recommend upgrading to the Mordenkrad, Executioner's Axe, Fullblade, or maybe Greatspear--superior weapons are great for any damage-focused weapon user.

t~

 

[Quickleaf]

My first thought was to go assault swordmage. That way you get a defender who can teleport to the back line in a pinch. With the "additive" marking of certain powers and optimizing damage you can get decent striker/controller as secondary roles. Plus you'd still retain some of your wizard's magic feel, and if you took Ritual Caster and Student of Sword Magic, possibly Implement Training (wands), you could even simulate your existing character!

 

[Herschel]

Question: I am a player in a level 16 party, our player complement is in a bit of flux (we are losing our avenger on a temporary, but potentially permanent, basis). Thus, I am thinking of changing my PC to make things run more smoothly.


Current party:

• Half-elf cunning bard
• Dragonborn cleric (Str/Wis, mixes melee, ranged, and AOE attacks)
• Goliath paladin (Charisma, wields trident and shield)
• Tiefling infernal warlock
• Human tome wizard (me)

I'd be tempted to go Assault Swordmage for a durable front-liner and your mark can work around the Paladins to a great degree. The fighter and paladin's marks may clash too often for your tastes. The other way to go maybe be a fighter/barbarian hybrid. Rages are not stances so you could be in both at times. You'd become more of a relief defender rather than a primary but it would be a good front-line character. You also have some speed options if you secondary a reflex stat for AC and Hide Armor where you can get to a baddie and engage for a round while the Paladin lumbers in to the fray and you take the opening round of nasty while the fresh paladin takes over afterwards.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Slayer may be an option...

 

[Mentat55]

Slayer may be an option...

I was thinking perhaps a double sword or rapier-wielding slayer. I have not yet decided if I want to play a class w/o dailies. It certainly would be a drastic change from my current character, a wizard that, between the Spellbook feature, Expanded Spellbook feat, and the Tome Adept PP chooses 4 dailies and 3 utilities every time he gains access to a new set.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

If you go TWF slayer think about a halfing. You waste a feature at level 7, but otherwise you can get a very nonstandard and effective build.

I would even suggest gnome, but alternative stats are not in the buider yet.

(note, that going dex primary and hide armor is recommended here. (if you go 18 or just 16 pre racial is up to you. Strength secondary would be my suggestion if you go only for 16 dexterity so your damage does not fall behind later on, and you may go for rapier/shield.)