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one thing that I think deserves its own little blurb.

What encounter powers are worth doubling up on with Adroit Explorer. The PP is one of the main things giving humans breathe of life in CO right now. Also you should have a blip about different high defense strategies as that is the other huge draw point.

this is all after acton surge of course

This is a handbook I've been waiting for for a long time. One question: In this handbook, are you going by the assumption that humans are nearly as good as the best race for every build; or will you be trying to prove that humans can be as good or even best at some builds?

Feel free to add any iteration of Harvey to your human builds list.

... and I really have set a precedent. Cool.

-Gain Combat Leader: +2 power bonus to Inititive, for you and each ally. Humans do not qualify for any feats from this, though Elfs do.

There is a paragon level feat that lets you use your charisma or intelligence modifier for the combat leader bonus to initiative.

A suggestions, nitpicks and arguments here:

First, I'll note that you've taken on a massive task. You can make a human version of nearly any class. That makes this a much bigger job than most other handbooks. Good luck.

Second, I would suggest that you make sure to focus on a couple builds that really make human characters shine and which are not simply second best substitutes for builds where other races are better. That's not to say you should ignore builds where humans are first loser (second place), but the builds that can only be done or can best be done with humans would be a good place to start and focus. My suggestions for promising human builds would be to look into Adroit Explorer builds. Ones that focus on Rain of Blows (fighter) or war of attrition (inspiring warlord) are probably the most promising picks for this but there may be something hiding in the wings. (Maybe Trip Up would also be worth adroit exploring).

Third, some arguments:

A. The third at-will is at best black. Really, it should probably be purple in most cases but black (or maybe dark blue) for a wizard. It might push black for warlords and rogues as well, but having played human warlords for quite a while I'm not sold on it. For some classes (paladin), any warlock other than a charisma focused starlock, and nonbalanced clerics, it is unambiguously red. For rangers, and tempest fighters, it is also red--but for a different reason. They would be doing just fine if they only got one at-will power (Twin strike or dual strike).

I've made the argument before in other places, but the third at-will is inevitably the third best choice for your build. As such, it will probably only see use once every two to three combats at most, and even in those cases, it is probably only marginally better than what you would have done if you didn't have it. (For instance, the fighter who has Cleave as hit third at-will will use it in some situations and it is good when he does so. However, it is probably not that much better than brash strike or reaping strike would have been in the same situation). On the other hand, a truly blue or sky blue racial power like elven accuracy or dwarven durability is useful in nearly every encounter and does not have a "second best" option that it competes with. If you didn't have elven accuracy, you would miss--you wouldn't use an alternate power. On the other hand, if you don't have illusory ambush, you may make do with cloud of daggers.

B. Stubborn Survivor is not sky blue. It is black at best. It's basically an improved human perseverance that does nothing when you are sitting on an action point. (And therefore is not really that improved). It has its up side, but it encourages a rash and inefficient use of action points (gotta use the action point or you don't get the bonus), and has some serious negative synergy with adroit explorer (who can never benefit from it at all until the second encounter of the day--or the fourth encounter of the day if encounter 1 or 2 is a skill challenge).

C. Timely revival is red. One time in 20 not losing an action when you are dying is not worth a feat--it would be garbage even as a heroic feat. Epic characters have a number of ways to cheat death in any event and feats or powers that only kick in once you are losing are bad choices.

D. Avenging Spirit looks good and I want to like it but since it doesn't grant an exception to the 1 action point per combat rule, the extra action point will often go to waste. If you hold off on using action points when it would otherwise be a good time because you want to be able to use your bonus action point from an ally going down, you are making a self-fulfilling prophecy and deliberately gimping your strategy in order to gain a bonus that will not usually make up for the bad position you put yourself into. On the other hand, if you use your action points normally, you will generally have already used your action point in any encounter that is challenging enough to drop an ally. It has potential with the feats or epic destinies that let you give action points away so maybe there is something that can be done about it, but it's definitely not sky blue.

E. Action surge should be mentioned in conjunction with multiattacking powers. Action surge on a power like war of attrition or frigid darkness is great. Action surge on Rain of Blows or Path of the Storm, on the other hand is incredible.

A. The third at-will is at best black. Really, it should probably be purple in most cases but black (or maybe dark blue) for a wizard. It might push black for warlords and rogues as well, but having played human warlords for quite a while I'm not sold on it. For some classes (paladin), any warlock other than a charisma focused starlock, and nonbalanced clerics, it is unambiguously red. For rangers, and tempest fighters, it is also red--but for a different reason. They would be doing just fine if they only got one at-will power (Twin strike or dual strike).

Shaman and Druids benefit significantly from the extra at-will due to how their at-will powers are divided up and restricted. Sorcerers benefit in the same way and for many of the same reasons as Wizards. Invokers barely register the third at-will because their powers are already so same-y. Barbarians it's eh, though tasty. For most races it's easier to just make-do without Howling Strike than decide between a valuable at-will push and good chunk of Temp HP. Bards are as bad as Clerics, though without the stat-split problem. Avengers it's pretty good since it lets you have two really decent melee attacks and a good ranged attack for the inevitable flying enemy, which is a frequently overlooked capability.

But, yes, the greatest strength of a third at-will is being able to cover 3/4 defenses, while most of the classes don't even have at-wills that target more than 2 different defenses.

For S&B Fighters I'd actually go ToI, Cleave, Footwork Lure. The precision control over the field that Tide and Lure give when you have both is really really sweet for that style of character.

Champion of humanity actually makes stubborn survivor less powerful. You'll only have the benefit for a fraction of one fight in a 3-encounter day.

Timely revival is decent IFF you have a lot of saving throw bonuses (nullifying ring, stubborn survivor, human perseverance, verve armor, etc.) I probably wouldn't pick it up in most builds though.

:/
You don't use them both on the SAME BUILD...

Oh I know. I just think you should point that out. For example...humans make awesome wardens because they can specialize in saving throws and become immune or near immune to "save ends," effects. If you are going that route you shouldn't pick adroit explorer.

As for simotaniously complaining about Timely Revival and Stubborn Survival, EB... you obvously have not seen the Trollblood build. When I get a chance, I'll assemble a proper build, but Here is a quick overview I put together.

I'm not impressed by the concept--let's say you put together a build that automatically gets a 20 on its death save at the start of its turn. Nifty, but how much of your character did you light on fire to get there? To the degree that the feats are not useful unless you are lying on your back unconscious, the combo assures that you will go through healing surges more quickly and spend more time taking the dirt nap. It also encourages your DM to just target you while you're down and kill you outright if his monsters have the ability to do so--that's what players in previous versions of D&D did to actual trolls.

Plus, epic level immortality is just not that special. If you really want it, you can have the real thing as an undying soldier.

Hmm... I'm liking this racial Handbook idea! Maybe I should make one of my own...

Anyway, I posted here to link a couple of Human builds for the Roll of Glory section: my Avenger Master of Defense and my Orbizard.

As per the formatting, I'd use some sblocking to separate the classes; otherwise, it gets a bit muddled.

Hmm... I'm liking this racial Handbook idea! Maybe I should make one of my own...

I would jump for joy and maybe even pee my pants in glee...

I would point out that both bloodied determination and bloodied greatness specify enemy, so no reason to mention allies really. You need a [/b] after stubborn survivor instead of a [b], and it actually works fine with Adroit explorer after the first battle of the day. You just have to use your 2nd AP right at the beginning of the 2nd fight, similar to how you would use your 1st AP at the beginning of the 1st fight if you weren't an Adroit Explorer. Still sucks for the first fight each day though.

Also, here's my Human Warden/Wildrunner that basically can't fail saves, if you're interested.

Congradulations, this is the only known way to have the same encounter power twice in the same encounter

I would double check the Planeshaper ED.

Just grabbed the PDF, here's the text:

and after an extended rest you
can choose one encounter power. You can use that
encounter power twice per encounter. When you take
another extended rest, you can choose a different
encounter power.

It's part of their 21st level feature.

A. The third at-will is at best black. Really, it should probably be purple in most cases but black (or maybe dark blue) for a wizard. It might push black for warlords and rogues as well, but having played human warlords for quite a while I'm not sold on it. For some classes (paladin), any warlock other than a charisma focused starlock, and nonbalanced clerics, it is unambiguously red. For rangers, and tempest fighters, it is also red--but for a different reason. They would be doing just fine if they only got one at-will power (Twin strike or dual strike).

I've made the argument before in other places, but the third at-will is inevitably the third best choice for your build. As such, it will probably only see use once every two to three combats at most, and even in those cases, it is probably only marginally better than what you would have done if you didn't have it. (For instance, the fighter who has Cleave as hit third at-will will use it in some situations and it is good when he does so. However, it is probably not that much better than brash strike or reaping strike would have been in the same situation). On the other hand, a truly blue or sky blue racial power like elven accuracy or dwarven durability is useful in nearly every encounter and does not have a "second best" option that it competes with. If you didn't have elven accuracy, you would miss--you wouldn't use an alternate power. On the other hand, if you don't have illusory ambush, you may make do with cloud of daggers.

As usual, E_B, I disagree, and think it's fine as a Dark Blue in general. For some Builds, yes, it is the last thing you care about when you choose to be Human, but for many other Builds it's either a very nice benefit to the other bonuses the Race gets you, or an absolute blessing you can't wait to abuse.

It's Sky Blue for Druids, Sorcerers, Wizards, and Warlocks*.

It's Dark Blue for Barbarians, Rogues, and Warlords.

For everyone else**, it's either Black or Red.

*The Feylock is the only one who can't really get excellent use out of the 3rd At-Will. Starlocks/Inferlocks using Con can easily get excellent usage out of each other's At-Wills, and Darklocks/Starlocks using Cha can both get excellent usage out of Eyebite.

**The problem here is that once Arcane Power and Divine Power hit, the Wizard, Cleric, Paladin, etc. will be getting a Black+ rating out of the extra At-Will.


EDIT: However, I do 100% agree with E_B about the "Trollblood" Build. Anything that relies on you to be getting your teeth knocked in to be useful is a Bad Thing in my book.

[SIZE="1"]*The Feylock is the only one who can't really get excellent use out of the 3rd At-Will. Starlocks/Inferlocks using Con can easily get excellent usage out of each other's At-Wills, and Darklocks/Starlocks using Cha can both get excellent usage out of Eyebite.

Um... Isn't the Darklock power CHA based?

Um... Isn't the Darklock power CHA based?

It sucks. Eldritch Blast is actually better.

It sucks. Eldritch Blast is actually better.

*shrug* haven't read through it. I haven't played a warlock since before FRPG came out.

Personally, I realized that I need weapons.

I've always tout humans also make better exotic (superior) weapon fighters: a tripe headed flail, or bastard sword, rapier, and related blades are better in the hands of a human, who can use the superior weapon without losing feats to the rest ofhe build, compared with a non-human fighter

It seems to me that humans become weaker in paragon in terms of 'brute' physical stats such as damage, ac and health compared to othe races. A lot of human feats deal with improved NADs (except Action Surge), compared to other race's feats like increased healing surge values, conditional attack bonuses, rerolling attack rolls etc. The feats that enhance 'brute' physical stats like toughnes, armour prof, weapon focus etc. run out well before your 18 feats are used up, making the 19 feat useless for 'brute' physical bonuses. But there are more than 19 useful feats if you count feats that help your party.

The extra feat and at will means that humans make great non-warrior classes, who rely on at wills and feats more than brute power. For classes with a large 'brute' focus like fighters, humans won't be as good at fighting individually compared to a dwarf or a dragonborn IMO, past paragon. But a human will be better at synergizing as part of a team, having an extra feat to spend on synergy feats like enhanced OA's, or on defender-esque feats like durability. The extra at-will will help you have the right tool to help your party at the right time. You won't have as much time in the spotlight individually when fighting against a troll with a greatclub, compared to a dwarf or dragonborn fighter. But if it tries to get at your party members, you will be better able to fill your team role.

The bonus to NADs mean humans are tough when it comes to attacks that target NADs, which include magic and non-'brute' physical attacks. At heroic level humans will be equally tough in 'brute' toughness, due to the wide availability of feats like toughness and weapon specializations.

I have only DMed a few adventures in 4E, and apart from reading the book don't have much experience with humans or fighters in the game. I am also not great at mathematical balancing. So feel free to pick apart any flaws in my post. This is merely an impression I got from reading the book.