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Play Like You Have To! => D&D 4e => 4e Optimization => : archangel.arcanis July 28, 2010, 05:39:29 PM

: Storm Sorc. and Paladin Help.
: archangel.arcanis July 28, 2010, 05:39:29 PM
Looking at doing a game in the Guild Wars setting. We will be short on players so I will have 2 characters and the DM is putting a PC with the group as well. There will be 2 more players in the game as well. None of us have played 4e yet but we all have a fair bit of 3.x experience.

I know the DM will be playing a Warlord focused on buffing the party so that is factoring in to how I build my characters, I have no idea what the other 2 have in mind so I'm also trying to cover multiple roles with each.

First up is my Storm Sorcerer (https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=0AlfBCWyXisHKdG5UcEp3dWRhOWxvV3pscG5LYVVhQWc&hl=en&output=html) who is going to be striker/controller.

My other is a Paladin (https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=0AlfBCWyXisHKdGRMeXRhc04zaXlZcnU1RnB3Rl9YaGc&hl=en&output=html) going for stickyness and enough healing abilities for us to not die.

i have the general lay out on those spread sheets and have looked at the most recent handbooks for each over at Wizards boards, but wanted some specific critiques and advice for how to make them better. I know both have some empty feat slots and I have little idea what items to get for them yet.
: Re: Storm Sorc. and Paladin Help.
: awaken DM golem July 28, 2010, 09:02:54 PM
The DMs char could easily be a Companion Character.
http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Article.aspx?x=dnd/4ex/20090821
Considering the distraction level of DM-ing and DMPC-ing ... and the "secret" Divinations going on, it's a whole lot less work.

Similarly with the Paladin.
FrankT has voted No to the paladin loudly.
Doing a CC version that keeps some healy stuff, again cuts the agitation level.

Personally I find 4e power level from 1 to 30, is like 3e's 2nd to 6th level, really.
Personally I like a golfbag approach to items. Trading a +2 for a +1 and a different property = more versatility.

Otherwise, the guides are good enough.
(whining voice --- too much material to dive through ...  :embarrassed )
: Re: Storm Sorc. and Paladin Help.
: Rerednaw November 11, 2010, 01:15:17 PM
More info on level, valid sources (books, dragon magazine?,etc.) would be helpful. 

That said I have had a decent amount of success in LFR with my drow sorc.
(Sorry for format doing this on my mobile)
Level 8 snapshot
race:drow
class:sorc
spell source: storm
str 8 con 13 dex 19 int 10 wis 10 cha 21
feats: sup imp lancing dagger
versatile exp light blade/staff
dual imp spellcaster
tempest magic (or implement focus)
improved init

trained skills: arcana bluff diplomacy intimdate

key equip: lightning dagger, armor of sudden recovery, amulet of prot
eagle eye goggles, bracers of the perfect shot
powers:
at will: acid orb, blazing starfall
enc: thunder slam, dancing lightning, spark form
daily: dazzling ray, thunder leap (jump up and down into same square)
utility: good timing (hate missing with daily), sudden scales

basic tactics: convert everything to lightning
single target: encounter powers then lightning (acid) orb to death
multiples: blazing starfall or thunder leap.

note that he's slightly built for more single target.  you can swap out acid orb for lightning strike if u want more multi target capability.  i chose acid orb because of shaman/warlord granting basic attack powers and the range.

if u dont want to deal with lightning conversion go sup imp accurate or staff exp from hotfl.  and dump a id orb for lightning strike.  keep blazing starfall because:

for the pally you could pick up feat power of the sun and the at will virtuous strike.  His targets gain radiant vulnerability which goes well with blazing starfall.   
: Re: Storm Sorc. and Paladin Help.
: archangel.arcanis November 11, 2010, 01:25:50 PM
This has been tabled for a while as all the other players backed out. Thanks for the suggestions though, I will be referencing back to this if we can get it going again.