I just started playing around with the 4e character classes, and, after seeing PHB2, I noticed that as of the release of that book, the four power sources presented had four classes to choose from, each. So, the idea of doing a martial-themed campaign sounded more realistic (or any other, for that matter, but I have the PHB2 on my birthday list, which is three weeks away). Yet, there is no "controller" role for martial characters. (Arguably, I can appreciate why this might be, given that the wizard has such a breadth of options available to him, making him a definitive controller.)
So I started thinking about how I could create a martial controller class, which I have dubbed as a working title, "Samurai". I'm still just starting with this idea, but I envision the character being able to maneuver deep into combat, and mow down minions, while using Bushido to carefully deliver varied attacks with his weapons. Here's what I have to start:
Samurai
"Throughout history, rulers have engaged in games of tactics; their aptitude and skill have shaped the course of history. I, too, forge a path into greatness, as I wade into battle like a skiff on a lake."
Role: Controller
Power Source: Martial
Key Abilities: Strength, Constitution, Wisdom
Armor Proficiencies: Cloth, Leather, Hide, Chainmail, Scale
Weapon Proficiencies: Simple melee, military melee, simple ranged, military ranged, bastard sword (katana)
Bonus to Defense: +1 Fort, +1 Will
Hit Points at 1st Level: 12 + Constitution score
Hit Points per Level Gained: 5
Healing Surges per Da: 7 + Constitution modifier
Trained Skills: Endurance (Con) or Insight (Wis) (choose one). From the class skills list below, choose three trained skills at 1st level.
Class Skills: Athletics (Str), Bluff (Cha), Heal (Wis), History (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Perception (Wis)
Build Options: Survivor Samurai, Iaijutsu Samurai
Class Features: Ki Channel, Way of the Five Rings, Honored Daisho
One note I might make is that in the Player's Handbook they list several power sources that they were going to use later on, but were not in the initial set of books. Things like Primal, Shadow, Psionic. One of them was Ki, which is the same name as one of your class abilities.
Considering this, I'm not sure where you prefer to take this, to keep it the the "mundane" Martial or the more spiritual Ki. Or something in between.
My view of a melee martial controller is a character that sweeps through the battlefield capable of attacking several creatures along his path, often leaving them with debilitating effects like slow, dazed, or prone.
My view of a ranged martial controller is of a character that often seems to be giving covering fire. Capable of delivering a volley of attacks to strike at a group of enemies.
My view of a melee martial controller is a character that sweeps through the battlefield capable of attacking several creatures along his path, often leaving them with debilitating effects like slow, dazed, or prone.
My view of a ranged martial controller is of a character that often seems to be giving covering fire. Capable of delivering a volley of attacks to strike at a group of enemies.
I have always pictured a swashbuckler as a melee controller, think the musketeers whirling around the battle field, and I agree some type of archer for a ranged martial controller
The martial controller is the holy grail and philosopher's stone of homebrewers. Keep us posted on how it goes.
The martial controller is the holy grail and philosopher's stone of homebrewers. Keep us posted on how it goes.
Good example is the shifting abilities of the druid. Very melee and controller oriented.
Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 8
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It might be stepping on the Warlord's toes a bit, but what about some kind of Tactician?
Instead of dropping burst X fireballs around, they might issue commands, which I see working like an area effect that only hits enemies adjacent to at least one ally. The damage they take would be you directing your friends to strike. Not a full basic attack, since that might allow your friends to pile all the damage on one guy, but a set amount of dice of damage as you efficiently mobilize your troops. You could include lots of pulling, pushing, and martially flavored status effects.
More powerful attacks could be limited by needing to set up specific conditions, like "One target that is being flanked by two of your allies" or stuff like that.
Like I say, you'd have to work around some of the stuff the Warlord already does, but as long as you kept him a ranged combatant, I don't think there'd be too much overlap.