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>>>Erachima--I see what you mean, I will swap out VIM for PW.  When I said I'm not allowed to change my theme, it's because the DM does not allow it.  Is there a feat anyone would suggest in replace of Archer Hybrid Talent in heroic tier?

>>>Scatterbrained--When we play, it feels a lot like a shootout in Shadowrun--everything is super lethal.  I'm not able to change my race--is there anything you'd suggest for standing at 0 hp that a human could use?

Thank you for the help so far, and all suggestions are welcome!

Nov 18, 2012 -- 5:28PM, Matyr wrote:

One thing that I might mention which is not really on topic, but something that may interest you is fourth core.  Have you and/or your DM looked into it?  I won't put a link to it on an official DnD forums, but google exists.  Its basically 4e rules with a huge dose of added leathality.  You might like it.

Also, with things dying as often as they sound like they do, would Create Opportunity really be what you want?  Its a good power, but if things are dying very quickly would you not want something you could spread around a little more? 

I have not read up on fourth core--I will check it out. 

Create Opportunity seems bad, but I just don't know what else to put there.  I have to take a Warlord daily (at either 1 or 5), so I can go Ranger Daily at Level 9.  I've got no strength, so the Create Opportunity attack probably won't hit reliably--at least against a solo I can grant some free attacks.  I'd be ok with dropping Skirmishing Stance, and get a level 1 Warlord Daily (opening up a ranger power for level 5).

Frankly, I think you made a mistake up front. For a ranged striker with healing in a high-lethality campaign, I would go with straight Warlord - the Archer Warlord option is optional at best (actively bad except for taclords and skirlords, but those are the two generally-best choices for a ranged warlord) if you're the only enabler in the party - and spend a feat on Greatbow proficiency.

Yes, straight Warlord as a striker. His extra-damage mechanic is someone else's basic attack. Maybe more than one someone. And the Greatbow is a 1d12 weapon. Who cares if you can't do RBAs very well; without another enabler, you'll probably never do RBAs.

(Also consider Feral Hide hide armor. It comes with a built-in melee weapon that you don't have to draw or stow, for those occasions when you need one.)

The Warlord needs high Str and really values high Int (for tactical or skirmishing presence, particularly those who take the Archer Warlord option).  His third (and in a few builds second) attribute is Charisma. Meanwhile the Archer Ranger wants Dex and a bit of Wis. No overlap at all; instead, a bad case of Multiple Attribute Dependency.

The Battlefield Archer paragon path is good for an Archer Ranger but really doesn't offer a Warlord a lot.  Its two attack powers are Dex-based.

And you're giving up one heal per encounter by not being a full Warlord. Beginning at level 16 you're giving up two per encounter. However, unlike other hybrid leaders, you DO have a Paragon feat available to gain another use per encounter.

So, if you're stuck being a Warlord|Ranger... eep... I'm strongly tempted to tell you to downplay the Ranger side as much as possible. (I am not anti-Ranger or anti-hybrid. I love my Tempest Fighter|Ranger hybrid. But he's neither healer nor enabler. A melee Ranger and a Fighter both are Str-based.)

Definitely, once you hit level 11 take the "Fight On" feat. 

You want powers that do damage AND either hand out free attacks to your allies, or hang pinatas on enemies, or provide some other benefit. With the reduced HP, emphasize the free attacks particularly on encounter and daily powers - it's not much good to spend a daily hanging an end-of-encounter pinata on an enemy that will die to the next attack that uses the pinata.

And in a lowered-HP campaign, healing is nice for utilities. For example, the level-6 Stand Tough is rather lame for a non-charismatic Warlord in a normal game but probably really good in yours.

Paragon paths: Captain of Fortune looks really good. Twiceborn Leader is interesting in spite of its attack powers being melee-weapon; you will be caught in melee occasionally. Adroit Explorer hands you some goodies.

Nov 19, 2012 -- 3:24PM, warrl wrote:

Yes, straight Warlord as a striker. His extra-damage mechanic is someone else's basic attack. Maybe more than one someone. And the Greatbow is a 1d12 weapon. Who cares if you can't do RBAs very well; without another enabler, you'll probably never do RBAs.

(emphasis is mine) 

ARCHER WARLORD
When you choose the Archer Warlord class feature, you lose proficiency with chainmail and light shields. You gain proficiency with military ranged weapons. In addition, when you make a ranged basic attack with a bow, you can use Strength instead of Dexterity for the attack roll and the damage roll.