Character Optimization Thread

Thanatos

For all of your character optimizing needs, regardless of system.

I'm working on a 4th edition character; this is something of a sub-optimal build, but I'm trying to work it, anyhow. Dwarven Warden. I haven't chosen a theme yet (would love suggestions), will probably go with a background that pulls in a bonus to Intimidate. Still need one more feat. Any suggestions for changes to anything? I think I'll be doing an okay amount of damage, between Dwarven Weapon Training and Crippling Crush. Stone Steps Spirits seemed hella good for maneuverability. I focused on powers that created damaging and/or difficult terrain. I'm a bit concerned about the low defenses, but I'm thinking the high amount of HP will help with that. Probably go either Storm Sentinel or Icewrought Sentinel Paragon path.

http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=455704

Grog

I realise it's boring, but the Improved Defenses feat and a heavy shield would sort your defences out.

Stone Steps seems a bit redundant given that you have plenty of powers to keep things in place, so you're not likely to be chasing anything down. I'd go for either Crushing Earthstrength or any other feat that keys off your second wind instead, you'll get far more use out of them as a dwarf.

Earthforger fits pretty well as a background since the encounter power sets up a nice sticky zone, otherwise Guardian is always a solid choice for defender.

Nealneal

This is what I whipped up in a few minutes. I love Defenders.
http://orokos.com/dnd4e/sheets/5101

Thanatos

I should have mentioned that I get global Expertise for free, and we're using the Inherent Item Bonuses rules (from Dark Sun, I think).

I don't have Essentials, and I forgot about Improved Defenses. I guess I look at Crushing Earthstrength as a feat, and a little bit of damage twice an encounter doesn't really seem to me to be as good as getting an attack when I otherwise wouldn't. Though, I guess it would probably happen more than Stone Steps.

What books are those backgrounds in, Grog?

Nealneal

Fixed him to match your requirements.

Earthforger is from Heroes of Elemental Chaos and Guardian is from a Dragon article.

Thanatos

Aaaaannnnd I just figured out why you want the waraxe instead of the craghammer: critical hits.

Is there a good reason not to go Crippling Crush feat/Weight of Earth at-will, or just a matter of preference?

Nealneal

Just preference. I like the options the other two at-wills give. Higher defense if I'm the only thing adjacent, and preventative healing from Temp Hit points. If you just want to smash one thing and crush it underfoot, then the Weight of Stone/Crippling Crush is definitely the way to go.

I went with the Waraxe because I like the d12 with Brutal 1 more than the 1d10 Brutal 2. The axe's Brutal comes from the Axe Expertise Feat, and I just realised that you aren't getting a free Expertise feat, you're getting a Global Expertise bonus. In that case, I would stick with the Craghammer.

Grog

The most interesting thing about wardens, I find, is that their mark punishment is a weapon-range interrupt. This makes it pretty easy to create a catch-22 for enemies, especially at lower levels.
Just combine a reach weapon and the Swaying Branches feat and you have a reach 2 interrupt that slides an enemy if it attacks your ally. All you have to do is mark the target, shift behind an ally and you negate it's damage for the round. I dabbled with a paladin/warden hybrid built around this tactic, since Divine Challenge damage would stack with it.

Thanatos

Nealneal wrote: »

Just preference. I like the options the other two at-wills give. Higher defense if I'm the only thing adjacent, and preventative healing from Temp Hit points. If you just want to smash one thing and crush it underfoot, then the Weight of Stone/Crippling Crush is definitely the way to go.

I went with the Waraxe because I like the d12 with Brutal 1 more than the 1d10 Brutal 2. The axe's Brutal comes from the Axe Expertise Feat, and I just realised that you aren't getting a free Expertise feat, you're getting a Global Expertise bonus. In that case, I would stick with the Craghammer.

It's not just the smashing, I like the slow effect from Weight of Stone; keeps dudes from getting too far away from me, and with Crippling Crush, it's a good at-will to default to when I don't need any of the secondary effects of my other abilities.

And the waraxe does an extra .1 average damage (because of the crit thing), but I think you're right that the Craghammer's reliably higher minimum damage is probably a better benefit.

Thanatos

Are you allowed to do a Str/Con racial bonus with Dwarf?

I thought it was Str/Wis or Con/Wis, but my buddy says he's pretty sure Str/Con is okay, too.

Thanatos

Okay, made a few changes.

Is my reading for Crippling Crush/Sudden Roots correct: with both, your attacks of opportunity slow enemies, and deal your con mod in damage on top?