Warder (Arcane Defender) - Levels 1-3 [Updated 7/7]

[lordkiwi]

I've written what I think is a viable ranged arcane defender, as an experiment to create an unusual class. I think it fits the bill without having to wade into melee, but you can judge for yourself, details of the first two levels are in the attached PDF.

I think it may be too powerful at the moment. It's suposed to be better than normal at defending against minions and maneuverable foes but slightly more vulnerable to attack than a regular defender to compensate.

I don't want to hear that a ranged defender is impossible, rather that it may need changing to fill the role well. My criteria for this would be two fold:

• In a party with a Leader, Striker and Controller, would the Ritualist be as useful as a Fighter or Paladin.
• In a party with a Defender already, would a Ritualist be a little redundant?

Particuarly welcoming suggestions/criticism on making it fill the role viably, on its power level and any ways or making it as interesting to play as possible.

Lord Kiwi,

EDIT: Updated to make it less of a Controller and renamed to Warder.
EDIT: Updated with level 3 powers.

 

[generalhenry]

first a very off topic question.

that's a very nice PDF, what went into creating it? (working on a class, need to format it)


So, on topic. First glance it seems to have all the advantages of a defender and a controller combined. What's the weakness?

 

[lordkiwi]

first a very off topic question.

that's a very nice PDF, what went into creating it? (working on a class, need to format it)

MS Word and a free bit of software that lets you print to PDF (available here). I could probably make an empty template for you to write your own class into if you liked.

So, on topic. First glance it seems to have all the advantages of a defender and a controller combined. What's the weakness?

I did say I thought it was too powerful I need to remove the Controller abilities from it then and leave it as a pure Defender.

The Wards are probably good defenders, but they are also a bit too useful as AoE spells to avoid treading on the Controller's feet.

What about...
Use controller HP, drop the Shield Staff feature and reduce the range of a ward to about 4, replace AoE effects on at-will and encounter powers with attacks against a single marked foe.
1/2 incoming damage from wards and the ward marks the targets, not the Ritualist.

This makes placing the wards more tactical (so they aren't just useable to simply place AoE spells) and the AoE spells themselves are a lot more scarce.

 

[generalhenry]

I could probably make an empty template for you to write your own class into if you liked.

that would rock

I need to remove the Controller abilities from it then and leave it as a pure Defender.

Mostly I think you need to change things from all enemies in the ward to one enemy in the ward.


One question, what happens when someone knocks the ward prone?

 

[lordkiwi]

that would rock

See attachment

Mostly I think you need to change things from all enemies in the ward to one enemy in the ward.

Fair enough, although I like the look of my other suggestions anyway.

One question, what happens when someone knocks the ward prone?

I was going to have all conditions passed onto the Ritualist... so they get knocked prone.

Lord Kiwi,

 

[generalhenry]

ok, a thought about AC

Warder's AC 10 + 1/2 level + Int + armor + armor enhancement
Ward's AC 10 + 1/2 level + Int + 4 + implement enhancement

At first level I'd assume 18 int for 18 AC

The +4 bonus would also need to increase by tier and have a feat in order to keep up.


But for all that trouble the Warder can be in cloth.

 

[lordkiwi]

ok, a thought about AC

Warder's AC 10 + 1/2 level + Int + armor + armor enhancement
Ward's AC 10 + 1/2 level + Int + 4 + implement enhancement

At first level I'd assume 18 int for 18 AC

The +4 bonus would also need to increase by tier and have a feat in order to keep up.

But for all that trouble the Warder can be in cloth.

Basically, give the Ward its own Armour bonus. I like the +impliment bonus to AC... how would that work for other defences though? I'll give it a little thought.

You know Warder is probably a better name than Ritualist.

Lord Kiwi,

 

[generalhenry]

lol, go go brain fart, I called it Warder by mistake

 

[lordkiwi]

I've updated the .pdf in the initial post with the various improvements discussed.

The daily powers remain AoE, pretty much everything else is single target or very limited against multiple targets.

 

[generalhenry]

looking good. Though all your dailies need to do less damage. Look at the wizard dailies (~2d8 for aoe) and the rogue AOE daily (1d8 at most)

In other words limit your AOE damage to 1d8 + stat