Posting a build I've put together (originally posted on the WotC boards) that uses an Elven Polearm Master to act as a melee defender/controller hybrid. Basically, the 4e version of the spiked chain tripper.
Major parts of the build include Polearm Momentum + Footwork Lure at early levels, giving an at-will that knocks prone. At higher levels, Polearm Gamble + Heavy Blade Opportunity allows you to use positioning shenanigans to stop attacks before they even start, while the Polearm Master's level 12 stance, combined with Combat Superiority, lets you completely shut down a 7x7 square once a day. Elf is chosen for boosts to secondary/tertiary stats, elven accuracy, and most importantly, the ability to shift on difficult terrain (not being able to shift can really lock this build down).
Uses a greatspear through heroic (great attack bonus, higher damage, allows for use of Rain of Blows), but switches to a glaive in Paragon for HBO goodness.
RACE: ELF.
CLASS: Fighter (2H Weapon Talent) / Polearm Master / Demigod
STARTING STATS:
Str 16/Con 14/Dex 15/Int 10/Wis 16/Cha 8 (boost Str/Wis every time)
LEVEL 11: Str 19/Con 15/Dex 16/Int 11/Wis 19/Cha 9
LEVEL 21: Str 24/Con 16/Dex 17/Int 12/Wis 24/Cha 10
SKILLS: Athletics, Endurance, Heal, Perception
FEATS:
1- Weapon Proficiency (Greatspear) (retrain to Heavy Blade Opportunity at level 11)
2- Polearm Momentum
4- Elven Precision
6- Warrior of the Wild
8- Toughness (retrain to Uncanny Dodge at level 13)
10- Acolyte Power (retrain to Wintertouched at level 14)
11- Polearm Gamble
12- Marked Scourge
14- Lasting Frost
16- Daunting Challenge
18- Armor Specialization (Scale)
20- Iron Will
21- Reaching Whirlwind
22- Heavy Blade Mastery
24- Blind-Fight
26- Mobile Warrior
28- Martial Mastery
30- Triumphant Attack
***POWERS***
AT-WILL: Footwork Lure, Reaping Strike
ENCOUNTER:
1- Covering Attack
3- Rain of Blows (retrain to Sweeping Blow at level 12)
7- Trip Up
11- Leveraging Stride
13- Silverstep (drop Covering Attack)
17- Mountain Breaking Blow (drop Sweeping Blow)
23- Paralyzing Stab (drop Trip Up)
27- Cruel Reaper (drop Silverstep)
DAILY:
1- Villain's Menace
5- Hounding Longarm
9- Thicket of Blades
15- Quicksilver Stance (drop Villain's Menace)
19- Controlling Thrust (drop Hounding Longarm) (retrain to Devastation's Wake at level 21)
20- Polearm Sweep
25- Ballista Charge (drop Thicket of Blades)
29- Force the Battle (drop Quicksilver Stance)
UTILITY:
2- Pass Forward
6- Settling the Score
10- Shed the Mark (switch to Defensive Resurgence at level 14)
12- Reaching Stance
16- Iron Warrior
22- Inspired Resurgence
Advice would be great!
