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Post by vito on Jan 27, 2011 16:38:35 GMT -6
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Post by Finarvyn on Jan 27, 2011 17:26:39 GMT -6
I haven't played enough 4E to really judge one class against another, but it's actually refreshing to hear that fighter might be the best class. From the early days on, it seems like more and more gamers have flocked to the non-fighter options, whether they be paladin or ranger sub-classes, spellslinging classes, or whatever. The pure fighter just doesn't seem to be a popular option any more, at least among the folks I play with.
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18 Spears
BANNED
Yeah ... Spear This Ya' Freak!
Posts: 251 
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Post by 18 Spears on Jan 27, 2011 17:30:45 GMT -6
I remember an advice article geared toward newbies from Dragon magazine. It was only a few a few paragraphs, and basically stated the new player was to memorize the phrase, "I'd like to play a fighter, please." It was pretty amusing.
I don't know beans about 4e or its kissing cousin Essentials, but I'm tickled pink the fighter class it getting its proper respect!
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Post by vito on Jan 27, 2011 20:47:53 GMT -6
Fighters are pretty good.
In a game where most classes are restricted to a single role in combat, fighters straddle two roles (striker and defender) and can dip into a third role (controller) if you build them right (polearm momentum.)
Fighters can excel in both the defender and striker roles.
As much as I hate the marking mechanic, I have to admit that the fighter's combat challenge feature is the strongest deterrent in the game. You do not mess with a fighter's friends if you know what's good for you. Fighters are the best defenders.
Slayer fighters from essentials add both their strength and dexterity bonuses to attacks made with two-handed weapons. A slayer with good dexterity is both competent in ranged combat and deadly in close combat (and hard to hit at boot!) Plus, a slayer paired with a warlord will make lots and lots of attacks and deal huge amounts of damage with each. They are potentially the best strikers in the game.
If you use the optional character background rules from the PHB2, sixth level fighters from fourth edition will actually have more noncombat utility than rogues from third edition.
Fighters have lots of hit points and healing surges, great AC, decent non-armor defenses, impressive attack and damage bonuses, good utility (if backgrounds are used, slightly subpar otherwise), lots of versatility, lots of customization, are easy to play and easy to build, and they don't need supernatural power for any of this. With the optional 'inherent bonuses' rule from DMG2, they don't even need magic weapons to slay demons.
Fans call them 'spiky walls of death'.
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Post by coffee on Jan 28, 2011 2:21:52 GMT -6
I remember an advice article geared toward newbies from Dragon magazine. It was only a few a few paragraphs, and basically stated the new player was to memorize the phrase, "I'd like to play a fighter, please." It was pretty amusing. I don't know beans about 4e or its kissing cousin Essentials, but I'm tickled pink the fighter class it getting its proper respect! I am, too. Based on stuff I had read when 4e came out, it sounded like the main killing power came from the rogue (!) which had me worried. And the article you mention in the Dragon was from Jim Ward. Lovely stuff, that. Still the best way for a beginner to go, in my opinion. |
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Post by verhaden on Jan 28, 2011 8:16:34 GMT -6
I don't think I've ever played a Magic-User. It's a fighter's life for me.
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Post by vito on Feb 1, 2011 3:28:57 GMT -6
Based on stuff I had read when 4e came out, it sounded like the main killing power came from the rogue (!) which had me worried. Yeah, when I first read the PHB, I was appalled at the idea that the rogue might be the primary damage dealer of the party. I've found in actual play though that it rarely ever works out like that. The rogue's killing power is very situational. You can do high damage if the enemy is surprised, flanked, prone, stunned, or doesn't see you. These conditions can be difficult to set up though (and you often need the fighter to help you at that). Most of the time rogues only deal about as much damage as you would expect a little guy with daggers to do. Fighters deal damage consistently. |
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Post by Finarvyn on Feb 1, 2011 10:08:36 GMT -6
Part of what throws me is the "defender" versus "striker" designations. The defender is the hit-point machine and the striker deals lots of damage. Rogues never fit either description in the older editions.
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Post by vito on Feb 1, 2011 13:59:27 GMT -6
Yeah, I appreciate where wotc is coming from with the whole 'system transparancy' thing, but they might have made their lives easier by leaving the whole 'roles' business implicit.
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