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6 months ago ::
Dec 13, 2012 - 9:17PM
#1
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Date Joined:
Jan 12, 2010
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I'm trying to build an all around best defensing character. Quite simply, a character who maximizes his defense stats (even through the use of the Total Defense action), but I don't want a defender that enhances its comrades, just one that avoids/defends against most attacks.
Any ideas for feats, powers, classes, items and races that work for this I would appreciate.
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6 months ago ::
Dec 13, 2012 - 9:23PM
#2
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Date Joined:
Aug 31, 2009
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You need to specify a little more what you're looking for. If you just want to avoid attacks, the best thing would just be a permastealth character that is never even detected by enemies.
If you just want highest defenses, that's certainly doable, but be aware that it will be usless in actual play because D&D is a team game and defending is about a lot more than having high defenses. So specifying that this is just theory and not an actual character you want to play will save you about 5 pages of lectures.
I think Swordmage is a pretty good place to start, although it might not be the best.
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6 months ago ::
Dec 13, 2012 - 9:46PM
#3
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Date Joined:
Jun 19, 2004
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There is also a rogue build with obnoxiously high defenses out there somewhere. And SM|Lock with shadow-walk and other fun stuff.
But primarily Scatterbrained is right. We need to know more about what you are looking for and if it is going for actual play or just for fun. Also do the defenses need to be all the time or situational? Do you want something thats good in a particular tier? What level are you starting from? All bits of info we need.
Currently working on making a Dex based defender. Check it out hereSpoiler:
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Need a few pre-generated characters for a one-shot you are running? Want to get a baseline for what an effective build for a class you aren't familiar with? Check out the Pregen thread here
If ever you are interested what it sounds like to be at my table check out my blog and podcast here
Also, I've recently done an episode on "Refluffing". You can check that out here
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6 months ago ::
Dec 13, 2012 - 9:49PM
#4
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Date Joined:
Oct 12, 2012
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There is also a rogue build with obnoxiously high defenses out there somewhere. And SM|Lock with shadow-walk and other fun stuff.
But primarily Scatterbrained is right. We need to know more about what you are looking for and if it is going for actual play or just for fun. Also do the defenses need to be all the time or situational? Do you want something thats good in a particular tier? What level are you starting from? All bits of info we need.
rogue is here: community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/758...
also confirming what scatter said; say that the build's for theory now and save yourself before it's too late.
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6 months ago ::
Dec 14, 2012 - 2:28AM
#5
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Date Joined:
Oct 27, 2011
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Let's not forget the biggest problem with this kind of character: if you have stellar defenses and monsters will rarely, if ever, hit you, you need to have INSANE punishments to keep them off your team mates. If you cannot block your enemies actions they will simply ignore you and stomp over your much squishier comrades.
Remember, in 4E the best Defender is not the best Tank a MMORPG would call for. It's the guy that forces his enemies into a lose-lose situation.
Said that (yeah, he wasn't fast enough to avoid it) if it's just for theory, then all is good. If you want to play it, beware this is the first problem.
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6 months ago ::
Dec 14, 2012 - 3:03AM
#6
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Date Joined:
Apr 14, 2010
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Another way to get great defenses is the Battlemind paragon path Iron Guardian. The level 12 utility power either halves or nullifies any damage you would take.
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6 months ago ::
Dec 14, 2012 - 6:19AM
#7
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The question is do you want the highest defenses, or not to be hit because the best way not to be hit, resource-wise, is to have a good de-buffing controller (or two) at your side. Having an invoker slapping a -8 on an enemy or the Wizard has him stuck in a Visions of Ruin box works rather well and doesn't suck up all your resources.
That way, you can actually hit regularly and add something to the fight. Speed Bump might be an interesting theorhetical exercise, but it's practicality is minimal.
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6 months ago ::
Dec 14, 2012 - 8:23AM
#8
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Date Joined:
Nov 16, 2007
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I like builds that say "oh no you didn't" when it comes to self defense. I know it's not a defender but Sorcerers are pretty cool for this. You are within 7 points of my defenses, oh I just throw up Dragon Scales, you miss. You did 40 points of damage to me with a crit, no thanks, I'll take half with Narrow Escape, teleport over here and you can't attack me any more. Are you trying to hit me with your single digit hit points? Can't have that, I'll just teleport out of your reach, zap you with Slaad's Gambit, and take you down. You're trying to stun me with your Frightful Presence? Silly dragon, I Warp in the Weave and blow you a raspberry.
For defenders, Swordmages are probably the most interrupty, and team monster isn't likely to be able to easily plan for your shenanigans, and you can combine that with pretty decent defenses.
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6 months ago ::
Dec 14, 2012 - 8:28AM
#9
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Date Joined:
Jan 12, 2010
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Thanks for all the responses. Actually the information is not actually to create an all around defense character, but rather to identify all classes, powers, races, feats, items and more that aid in defense, mayde to include some of them in a character. I would actually prefer not to "avoid" being attacked but rather to have the enemy miss against the character without the need of debuffs (simply put, have high defenses). I'll look into the Battlemind and Rogue classes you mentioned. I know if you have too high defenses monsters will rarely attack you, but imagine you're in a one square corridor and you put someone like that on the front. 
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6 months ago ::
Dec 14, 2012 - 8:36AM
#10
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Date Joined:
Sep 17, 2007
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You don't put someone like that in front. You put the guy who explodes on enemies like a Sidewinder missile, so they can't hurt anyone.
Mountain Cleave Rule: You can have any sort of fun, including broken, silly fun, so long as I get to have that fun too (e. g., if you can warp reality with your spells, I can cleave mountains with my blade).
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