OPEN D&D 4e: Keep on the Shadowfell

[candi]

I'd recommend keeping a one handed sword, you're swordmage warding gives you +3 ac if you have a free hand (and only +1 otherwise). Versatile swords are much more useful if you desire a bit more oomph, because you can attack with them at +1 damage but still keep your hand free when not attacking (free action to switch one handed to two handed and back).

Looks fun! You'll have a blast I assure you - especially as an Eladrin with your teleport mobility.

[Jolith]

You're probably right. In my build I could drop Weapon Pro Fullblade for Eladrin Soldier and get +2 damage with longswords. That would put me at the exact same average damage (for a 1[W] power) as a Fullblade, both having 6.5 average damage. Slightly better when using the longsword two handed (+1 for Versatile).

[candi]

As a defender high AC is more valuable than a few points of damage - and you'll find if you can get your aegis to trigger that your damage is pretty solid anyway

Longsword with Eladrin Soldier is a good route to go. You might also look into Eladrin Swordmage Advance. Also Weapon Focus (heavy blades) will give you an additional damage boost - thought Eladrin Soldier is better until Epic at which point retraining for Weapon Focus would be the way to go (or even doing so in Paragon tier).

[candi]

Sorry for the double post, but here's my cleric:

====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Kerron, level 1
Kalashtar, Cleric
Kalashtar: Heal Bonus
Background: Auspicious Birth (Auspicious Birth Benefit)

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 10, Con 10, Dex 11, Int 8, Wis 20, Cha 16.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 10, Con 10, Dex 11, Int 8, Wis 18, Cha 14.


AC: 16 Fort: 10 Reflex: 10 Will: 17
HP: 32 Surges: 7 Surge Value: 8

TRAINED SKILLS
Religion +4, Diplomacy +8, Insight +12, Heal +12

UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics -1, Arcana -1, Bluff +3, Dungeoneering +5, Endurance -1, History -1, Intimidate +3, Nature +5, Perception +5, Stealth -1, Streetwise +3, Thievery -1, Athletics -1

FEATS
Cleric: Ritual Caster
Level 1: Pacifist Healer

POWERS
Channel Divinity: Healer's Mercy
Cleric at-will 1: Sacred Flame
Cleric at-will 1: Astral Seal
Cleric encounter 1: Bane
Cleric daily 1: Moment of Glory

ITEMS
Ritual Book, Holy Symbol, Adventurer's Kit, Chainmail, Quarterstaff
RITUALS
Gentle Repose, Comrades' Succor
====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ======

[Jolith]

Mar 20, 2010 15:33:26 GMT -5 candi said:

Longsword with Eladrin Soldier is a good route to go. You might also look into Eladrin Swordmage Advance. Also Weapon Focus (heavy blades) will give you an additional damage boost - thought Eladrin Soldier is better until Epic at which point retraining for Weapon Focus would be the way to go (or even doing so in Paragon tier).

I've already stated him out to 11th level, so I know what feats I want to take. Next level is Focused Expertised, and then the level after that is Eladrin Soldier. I believe at 6th level I have Eladrin Swordmage advance.

After that it's a little iffy. It's very hard to not MC in fighter (Battle Awareness). That free attack per encounter is nice. And if I go into fighter, then it opens up things like Fey Charge at paragon..

[candi]

Forward thinker I tend not to set anything in stone because I often change my mind on what I wanted and what priority feats and so on took as the time nears. By the time I actually hit level 2 I'll have changed my mind at least three times about which feat I wanted

And Fey Charge...

[Jolith]

Yeah, it's really cheesy, that's why I'll probably not take it. And if decide to not go Fighter, I may adjust my stats a little. The Str and Wis 13 were really for Battle Awareness..

Of course, I doubt it will be an issue. That's all the way at paragon, and we're only 1st right now, heh.

[candi]

Indeed.

I will say, my swordmage I piled up a 20 INT and my accuracy and damage is great, but my riders suck. I suppose it depends on what powers you are looking at if you care or not.

[Yakumo]

Just waiting on boards to be put up and then we are good to go for character posting and starting the game. I'll keep the game open though in the event that someone comes along and wants to join.

[at]

Advice wanted - since i'm unfamiliar with the rules i'm going to grab a 'guide' build from the net and fill in the blanks with whatever looks appealing.
Below is the build at lvl 11 - now I just need to turn it into something suitable and game ready.

Bloodmage, Level 11
Race: Human
Class/Path: Wizard|Warlock/Spellscarred/Blood Mage
Eldritch Pact: Infernal Pact
Array: Str 12, Con 19, Dex ? , Int 21, Wis 14, Cha 9 (starting from Str 11, Con 16, Dex ?, Int 16, Wis 13, Cha 8)
Feats: Leather Armor Proficiency, Student of the Plague (Flamespeed), Implement Expertise (Rods), Hybrid Talent (Shadow Walk), Reckless Curse, Paragon Defenses, Weapon Focus (Daggers), Dual Implement Spellcaster
At-Will Powers: Thunderwave, Storm Pillar, Eldritch Blast (Constitution)
Encounter Powers: Blood Pulse, Charm of the Defender, Color Spray, Diabolic Grasp
Daily Powers: Wall of Fire, Hunger of Hadar, Grease
Utility Powers: Illusory Wall, Glowering Wrath, Ethereal Stride
Key Items: +2 Pact Dagger x2

[candi]

You'll need to down level it 10 levels, but it's viable - well maybe not Spellscarred...

I'd recommend starting a character from scratch - you're going to be a Wizard great. Now pick a race, then powers, feats and you're set. Character creation isn't that difficult, and if you get the character builder it's pretty quick (if you already know your class for sure, that's the hardest choice IMO).

[Jolith]

I too wouldn't suggest that build. Especially since you're not familiar with the game yet. I'd go with something more generic, not a Hybrid Wizard/Warlock build.

[at]

It's not really the 1st level aspect that's a problem - i've got the character generator so I can throw one out quickly enough.

My concern is that i've got no idea how to move a 4th ed character forwards, hence the desore of having something to aim for. Unfortunately the page of 'sample' builds all looked pretty much the same as the one above, total gibberish to me.

If left to my own devices with a character i'm going to end up with Tim the Enchanter - throwing firecrackers at red dragons

[candi]

Well, in 4th edition it's actually harder to make a bad character - as long as you have at least 16 (I recommend 18) in your primary stat you'll be fine. (in your case INT). Make choices as you level up, you'll likely be happy with the result - and every level you can retrain 1 feat/power/skill training choice so it's not like you ever get nailed into a spot and cant get out.

And you can always ask for build advice as you are making choices for level ups etc.

[Yakumo]

yeah, seconding Candi's words. It really is difficult to make a bad character. And frankly if somehow things turned out that a character was completely ineffective or not fun to play, then that it a fault on my part, not the build.

Shakes has been kind enough to put up our boards at the bottom, post up your characters there and any trouble shooting with them can be done in their specific threads.

[Ogremind]

Hey, are you guys still looking for players?

[Yakumo]

The more the merrier.

[Jolith]

Well, if Yakumo's cool with it, what were you thinking of playing? I know I have a swordmage up, but if you wanted to play a defender I also wanted to try out the monk. Merely switched to help out the group.

Just let us know what you'd like to play.

[h3adcra6z0m613]

Hello there, It seems like your still looking for players, I'd like to join. I'm very experienced with 4th and have dmed it a couple times. There's a shifter warden I've been waiting to play if you still have room for me

[Ogremind]

I was looking at a longtooth Fighter or a Dragonborn Sorcerer. Which would work best?