Sir Marks-a-Lot: The Penalty-to-Hit Imposition Machine

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(I have a ton of edits to do a number of builds including this one. As soon as this semester ends mid-December, I promise to get updated builds in here and respond to everyone's generous feedback and discussion. Thanks for your patience!)

Sir Marks-a-Lot, Githyanki Fighter/Wizard MC/Paragon MC/Eternal Seeker


At level 1, Sir Marks-a-Lot is a fully functional tempest fighter.
At level 11, he imposes an at-will -7 to attack on every enemy in a range 10 burst 1.
By level 30, he has a whole arsenal of penalty-inducing goodness (including a level 26 penalty-to-hit nova of -22 with Maze of Mirrors, Draconic Majesty, and Screaming Armor).

Check out this thread: Githyanki_Silver_Weapon_Radiant_Weapon_etc for discussion on weapons used as implements.

Also, what follows below is a respectful retake of Anguirus23's take on a Fighter/Wizard and Ironpoet's Feystorm a Fighter/Wizard Build.

Goals of This Build
1. Thoroughly abuse Githyanki Silver + Psychic Lock + Mark of Warding + Chilling Cloud (and other powers that impose penalties to hit)
2. Provide yet another example of successful paragon multiclassing


Feedback Needed
1. Am I breaking RAW?
2. Any other power/gear/feat suggestions for eeking out better penalties to hit?


PENALTY-INDUCING POWERS


  • Chilling Cloud, at-will, range 10, burst 2 (levels 11-30)
    Imposes -7 to hit = -2 Chilling Cloud effect, -2 mark, -1 Mark of Warding, -2 Psychic Lock

  • Maze of Mirrors, encounter, range 10, burst 1 (levels 3-30)
    Imposes -13 to hit = -8 Maze of Mirrors effect, -2 mark, -1 mark of warding, -2 psychic lock

  • Illusory Wall, daily, wall 8 within 20 squares (levels 12-30)
    Imposes -10 to hit = -5 enemies cannot see past the wall, -2 mark, -1 mark of warding, -2 psychic lock. Note: Illusory Wall's attacks are free whenever an enemy moves adjacent to the wall.

  • Prismatic Burst, encounter, range 20, burst 2 (levels 13-30)
    Imposes -10 to hit = -2 mark, -1 Mark of Warding, -2 psychic lock, -5 blind Prismatic Burst effect

  • Blinding Smash, encounter, melee 1 target (level 3 & 13-22)
    Imposes -10 to hit = -2 mark, -1 Mark of Warding, -2 psychic lock, -5 blind Blinding Smash effect

  • Illusory Ambush, encounter, range 10, 1 target (levels 1-30)
    Imposes -7 to hit = -2 Illusory Ambush effect, -2 mark, -1 Mark of Warding, -2 Psychic Lock

  • Chill Claws, encounter, range 10, 2 targets (levels 11-12)
    Imposes -7 to hit = -2 Chill Claws effect, -2 mark, -1 mark of warding, -2 psychic lock

  • Draconic Majesty, encounter, close burst 3 (levels 26-30, Seeker's Lore Sorcerer power)
    Imposes -7 to hit, stacks with all other penalties to hit

  • Screaming Armor, encounter, 1 target in 5 squares (levels 2-30)
    Imposes -2 to hit, stacks with all other penalties to hit

Other Synergies


  • Chain Lighting targets every enemy within 20 squares (imposes a -5 to hit). The round after you've marked everything within 20 squares, hit something with Snowy Grasp. Result: all marked enemies are slowed.

  • Legion's Hold (and to a smaller extent Prismatic Spray) marks and stuns gobs of enemies. Stun = can't attack = the ultimate penalty to hit.


====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Sir Marks-a-Lot, level 30
Githyanki, Fighter, Paragon Multiclassing, Eternal Seeker
Build: Tempest Fighter
Fighter Talents: Tempest Technique
Arcane Implement Proficiency: Arcane Implement Proficiency (heavy blade group)
Arcane Admixture Damage Type: Arcane Admixture Thunder
Arcane Implement Mastery: Staff of Defense
Seeking Destiny: This is not My Fate
Background: Born Under a Bad Sign


FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 24, Con 16, Dex 12, Int 26, Wis 14, Cha 10.


STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 16, Con 12, Dex 10, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 8.



AC: 48 Fort: 47 Reflex: 47 Will: 43
HP: 220 Surges: 14 Surge Value: 55


TRAINED SKILLS
Heal +22, Endurance +29, Athletics +27, Arcana +32


UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +16, Bluff +15, Diplomacy +15, Dungeoneering +17, History +29, Insight +17, Intimidate +21, Nature +17, Perception +17, Religion +27, Stealth +16, Streetwise +15, Thievery +16


FEATS
Level 1: Arcane Initiate
Level 2: Arcane Implement Proficiency
Level 4: Novice Power
Level 6: Mark of Warding
Level 8: Acolyte Power
Level 10: Adept Power
Level 11: Psychic Lock
Level 12: Arcane Admixture
Level 14: Resounding Thunder
Level 16: Focused Expertise (Longsword)
Level 18: Armor Specialization (Hide)
Level 20: Implement Master
Level 21: Robust Defenses
Level 22: Epic Will
Level 24: Epic Reflexes
Level 26: Epic Fortitude
Level 28: Durable
Level 30: Toughness


POWERS
Arcane Initiate: Illusory Ambush
Fighter at-will 1: Knockdown Assault (retrained to Chilling Cloud at Paragon Multiclassing)
Fighter at-will 1: Dual Strike
Paragon Multiclassing: Maze of Mirrors
Paragon Multiclassing: Illusory Wall
Paragon Multiclassing: Summon Black Devourer
Seeker's Lore: Draconic Majesty
Fighter encounter 1: Funneling Flurry
Fighter daily 1: Knee Breaker
Fighter utility 2: Defensive Stance (retrained to Shield at Acolyte Power)
Fighter encounter 3: Blinding Smash (retrained to Maze of Mirrors at Novice Power level 4, retrained to Chill Claws at Novice Power level 11)
Fighter daily 5: Rain of Steel
Fighter utility 6: Defensive Training
Fighter encounter 7: Twofold Torment
Fighter daily 9: Punishing Storm
Fighter utility 10: Menacing Stance (retrained to Blur at Acolyte Power)
Fighter encounter 13: Scattering Swing (retrained to Prismatic Burst at Novice Power) (replaces Twofold Torment)
Fighter daily 15: Masterful Parry (replaces Knee Breaker)
Fighter utility 16: Bolstering Stride
Fighter encounter 17: Vorpal Tornado (replaces Funneling Flurry)
Fighter daily 19: Adaptable Maneuver (retrained to Evard's Black Tentacles at Adept Power) (replaces Punishing Storm)
Fighter utility 22: Howl of Defiance
Fighter encounter 23: Snowy Grasp (replaces Blinding Smash)
Fighter daily 25: Prismatic Spray (replaces Masterful Parry)
Fighter encounter 27: Chain Lightning (replaces Vorpal Tornado)
Fighter daily 29: Legion's Hold (replaces Rain of Steel)


ITEMS
Chainmail, Adventurer's Kit, Implement, Staff, Defensive Staff +1, Githyanki Silver Longsword +6, Cloak of Survival +6, Circlet of Indomitability (paragon tier), Demonskin Tattoo (epic tier), Bracelet of the Radiant Storm (paragon tier), Potion of Resistance (epic tier) (8), Potion of Regeneration (epic tier) (9), Viper Belt (heroic tier), Opal Ring of Remembrance (epic tier), Screaming Elderhide Armor +6, Handy Haversack (heroic tier), Everlasting Provisions (heroic tier)
====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ======


 

Think you're on to something.  Ever since I saw Ironpoet's 'Feystorm' build per community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/758... I've thought that fighter-base paragon-multiclassing to wizard achieved one of the most unexpected (but refreshing) synergies that makes paragon-multiclassing totally worth it.   Nice compilation of penalty-stacking!  Being able to mark with every attack combined with large area-burst/blast attacks and piling on more penalties is bound to make monsters (and the many DM's running them) cringe.  Expect to become monster magnet #1 if you're playing with a regular gaming group.  Again, great compilation!
Very nice ! Another good feat for all your blasts/burst might be enlarge spell, which would increase the mark radius even more. If you go Half-Elf instead of Human, you could also add Sword Burst to the mix (which would cover the 7x7 squares surrounding you, and targets enemies only). 
Hmm, any thoughts on maximum penalties you could get as a third or fourth level character? (Where my character currently is.) I'm playing around a bit, and can't seem to get the two key ingredients together in one build, namely chilling cloud and combat challenge. Hybrid restricts combat challenge to fighter powers... multiclass won't get me chilling cloud more than 1/encounter... Any thoughts?
Demonic, I don't think it's possible for a Fighter to mark with Chilling Cloud before lvl 11. Even then, he'll have to either be a half-elf or Paragon Multi-class.
Demonic, I don't think it's possible for a Fighter to mark with Chilling Cloud before lvl 11. Even then, he'll have to either be a half-elf or Paragon Multi-class.



Right, I agree. I was wondering if there was another way of (1) multi-marking; (2) with an at-will that gives penalties to attack.

As far as I can tell, going through the compendium... no. Multimarking comes from either combat challenge, divine sanction, or that warden feature that marks everyone adjacent. And the at-wills we want are either seeker, wizard, or psion. And there's really no way of transplanting those at-wills over to the multimarkers, or multimarking over to those controllers; even hybrid is careful not to give away multimarking.

Sadface.

Very nice ! Another good feat for all your blasts/burst might be enlarge spell, which would increase the mark radius even more. If you go Half-Elf instead of Human, you could also add Sword Burst to the mix (which would cover the 7x7 squares surrounding you, and targets enemies only).

Definitely agree with the Enlarge Spell suggestion.  Note that it won't work with Chilling Cloud since it does static damage. 

Couple more suggestions.  You CAN use a light shield in your off-hand (gaining +1 Ref and +1 AC) while holding the Defensive Staff in your off-hand and still benefit from it's properties...  Since the shield is non-magical, it would stack with Bracelet of the Radiant Storm.

You might as well pick up Siberys Shard of the Mage for a damage boost, although I realize damage isn't your objective.


If you had a means to crit more often (such as switching to Eladrin race with more Dex/Wiz focus than Con and taking Wizard Implement Expertise and Eladrin Sword Wizardry instead of Arcane Implement (heavy blade group)) you could try for the Grim Promise feat (enemies hit by your critical hit attack at -2 until EoNT).  Not sure it's worth the feat cost though.


With more of a Dex focus, you could swap out Armor Specialization (Hide) for Shield Specialization (granting a net +1 Ref) too. 


And if you use a shield, Distracting Shield feat for your Combat Challenge attacks might make some sense (impose -2 to enemy's attacks hit by your Combat Challenge MBA) but it is highly situational.


Since you'll likely be a monster magnet (and monsters can avoid -3 to hit marking penalties by targeting you) you might also consider the voidsoul genasi race.  For one round every encounter you'd be completely untouchable.  Genasi have optimal fighter-wizard stats too.


If you went voidsoul genasi, you could also punish attackers who target your weakest defense (Will) by taking the Empty Mind feat feat (dealing 15 psychic damage whenever your Will defense is targeted or you're dealt psychic damage), which kinda fits a psychic lock-out theme.  Genasi also unlocks the Versatile Resistance feat, which combined with Akanul Regional background could grant you resist 10 fire, resist 10 cold, and resist 10 thunder (in addition to your resist 15 psychic if voidsoul).


This could free up some of your resist element item selections.  You might consider getting a Periapt of Cascading Health to replace the neck-slot.  It automatically removes one [negative] condition affecting you every encounter (no saving throw required)... considering that epic foes dish out the worst status effects.


A potent level 22 utility (especially for Str-maximized genasi) is the sorcerer's 'Platinum Scales,' which you could potentially get twice with Eternal Seeker (as the level 26 utility too).  This could give you up to +8(!) to all your (already optimized) defenses for two encounters per day.


Regarding your wizard At-Will.  I'm not so sure Chilling Cloud is the best option... although for your build's stated goals it probably is. 


My concerns with CC are: (1) in many cases monsters can simply leave the area burst before attacking to avoid the additional -2 hit penalty (ideally, you should stay one square deep within the area so they are still penalized if they try to go after you with a melee non-reach attack... 'course this could be good if you want to get adjacent for Combat Challenge bennies); (2) this attacks the strongest overall monster defense (Fort) so you're less likely to get Psychic Lock penalty; and (3) it can not be 'enlarged' via ES feat.  Winged Horde in comparison attacks the weakest overall defense (Will) so Psychic Lock is more likely to activate, and it could be enlarged to burst 3 (if thunder-admixtured). 


So in some cases monsters may more readily be able to attack you with no penalty to hit (after being missed with CC and moving out of the burst 2 area) rather than receive a -2 hit penalty to attack you after being hit with Winged Horde (burst 3).


Anyway, my 2cp...

I'm thinking of using this build on a tiefling with the Birth - On Another Plane background.  I like how it plays out, not relying on damage output to carve a niche in the party but rather making enemies miss more often.  I don't have access to the Character Builder presently, it's on my Windows install and I'm on my Linux install right now, but I noticed it uses some powers from the magazines, could this work as well with material just from the hardcovers?  My GM won't allow anything from the magazines save the Dragon Magazine Annual hardcover.
Nice build!  I've been playing around with the basic concept of maximizing attack debuffs on several different characters, and there are a lot of options out there.  I'd say that this beats them all by a substantial margin, though.  Great mix of marking and debuffs.  I would second the Winged Horde, alternative, though.  More damage, larger area, and if you optimize your defenses, the -2 is still going to be pretty effective.  And -5 against allies is still pretty brutal.

One great combo I've used in practice is a Paladin/Hospitaler throwing around loads of marks.  He uses the Gith sword/psychic lock combo and a handful of blinding powers (including one close burst 3 blind, which is awesome).  Enfeebling Strike is, of course, the at-will staple.  The same -7... but against one target only  He's got a whopping 36 AC at level 14, 3 above the avenger (who's still allowed to use leather by house rule).  The paladin's got the added fun of automatic punishment against challenged enemies, hospitaler healing to allies that get attacked by the mark, and even some autodamage when they attack you.

For encounter-crushing effectiveness, though, the mass-mark, mass-debuff approach you worked up here is absolutely fantastic.  Bravo! 
[20:53] [SadisticFish] yeah Llamas convinced me
I played a character who got the -7 on his marks a little bit differently. Start with a 1/2 Elf Fighter and MC to Paladin. You can get Mark of Warding, Group Defenses (untyped +1defense is functionally a -1 to hit), Psychic Lock, Power of Madness, and Versatile Master/visions of Blood. Total is a -7 to hit others and a -3 to hit me.

 Riffing off others in this thread, if you take the original, base it as a Fighter, MC wizard, and then take windrise ports for Paladin MC and Group Defenses to increase the base penalty to -8.

 Using a Silver Sword for Psychic Lock/Mark of Warding/Group Defenses, Power of Madness and Enfeebling Strike will give you a -9 against a single target. Both of these functionalities also open up your PP, which must be able to provide an additional suite of penalties although I cant think of anything at the moment.
Winged Horde, a new power from the wizard Class Acts article, does variable damage, so it would be a candidate for Enlarge Spell. Winged Horde is basically Scorching Burst, but with psychic damage and it only targets enemies.

The original core books said that this was our game too. It doesn't feel like that anymore.

Riffing off others in this thread, if you take the original, base it as a Fighter, MC wizard, and then take windrise ports for Paladin MC and Group Defenses to increase the base penalty to -8.

Bravo on the Group Defense feat find!  Looks like Half-Elf maybe THE top-tier race for this concept (maximizing penalties). ; )
I like this build but I wonder how it deals with the fact that being a defender he is likely to have baddies in his face and most of his attacks are area burst that will provoke OA.
Couple more suggestions.  You CAN use a light shield in your off-hand (gaining +1 Ref and +1 AC) while holding the Defensive Staff in your off-hand and still benefit from it's properties...  Since the shield is non-magical, it would stack with Bracelet of the Radiant Storm.


Good idea. I'd be willing to give up the Bracelet for more AC. I can't seem to get the light shield to work on Wizard's character generator if my guy is holding a staff. Am I clicking in the wrong places?
. . . lots of good suggestions . . .


Wow! Awesome suggestions. I'm going to mull over them all and see what works best with the build. I've debated among Chilling Cloud, Winged Horde, and Illusory Ambush as this guy's at-will. Their weakness: CC targets Fort; WW loses some to-hit penalty, and IA only targets 1 target. All-in-all Winged Horde might be the best, but I can't deny the draw of Illusory Ambush. 

I'm thinking of using this build on a tiefling with the Birth - On Another Plane background.  I like how it plays out, not relying on damage output to carve a niche in the party but rather making enemies miss more often.  I don't have access to the Character Builder presently, it's on my Windows install and I'm on my Linux install right now, but I noticed it uses some powers from the magazines, could this work as well with material just from the hardcovers?  My GM won't allow anything from the magazines save the Dragon Magazine Annual hardcover.



Glad you like it! If you wanted the same penalty-to-hit, you could pick Illusory Ambush as your at-will from Arcane Power. But it only targets 1 creature. Otherwise, Scorching Burst or Thunderwave from PHB1 would be good area spells, but you'd lose the additional -2 penalty to hit.
Nice build!  I've been playing around with the basic concept of maximizing attack debuffs on several different characters, and there are a lot of options out there.  I'd say that this beats them all by a substantial margin, though.  Great mix of marking and debuffs.  I would second the Winged Horde, alternative, though.  More damage, larger area, and if you optimize your defenses, the -2 is still going to be pretty effective.  And -5 against allies is still pretty brutal.

One great combo I've used in practice is a Paladin/Hospitaler throwing around loads of marks.  He uses the Gith sword/psychic lock combo and a handful of blinding powers (including one close burst 3 blind, which is awesome).  Enfeebling Strike is, of course, the at-will staple.  The same -7... but against one target only  He's got a whopping 36 AC at level 14, 3 above the avenger (who's still allowed to use leather by house rule).  The paladin's got the added fun of automatic punishment against challenged enemies, hospitaler healing to allies that get attacked by the mark, and even some autodamage when they attack you.

For encounter-crushing effectiveness, though, the mass-mark, mass-debuff approach you worked up here is absolutely fantastic.  Bravo! 



Thanks! Great minds think alike. Another build I have on the horizon is exactly the kind of Paladin you describe. I posted an initial description of the mechanic on this thread here and got some cool advice. I'll be posting a full build soon.
I like this build but I wonder how it deals with the fact that being a defender he is likely to have baddies in his face and most of his attacks are area burst that will provoke OA.


The best counter to this would be to wear Shadowdance Armor (you don't provoke OA with ranged/area attacks. I'll have to consider that in my next edit. Thanks for the observation!
There is this button on your posts called 'edit' when you click it, it enables you to alter the content, allowing you to add new replies without taking up half the goddamn page. It might be a worthy investment to master this new feature.
Oh Content, where art thou?
I'm thinking of using this build on a tiefling with the Birth - On Another Plane background.  I like how it plays out, not relying on damage output to carve a niche in the party but rather making enemies miss more often.  I don't have access to the Character Builder presently, it's on my Windows install and I'm on my Linux install right now, but I noticed it uses some powers from the magazines, could this work as well with material just from the hardcovers?  My GM won't allow anything from the magazines save the Dragon Magazine Annual hardcover.



Glad you like it! If you wanted the same penalty-to-hit, you could pick Illusory Ambush as your at-will from Arcane Power. But it only targets 1 creature. Otherwise, Scorching Burst or Thunderwave from PHB1 would be good area spells, but you'd lose the additional -2 penalty to hit.



I can take the Heroes miniature powers, he does collect those for the power cards.  I was more wondering if there were better alternatives to powers like Punishing Storm or Focused Expertise as those aren't reprinted in any hardcover books.

Append: Also, do you not use the Adept Power retrain until level 19?  Seems a waste even if you do have to get it at 10 in order to qualify for Paragon Multiclassing.  And what are you Admixing to Thunder, Chilling Cloud?

Another Append: In trying to fully recreate your build in a means that befits the limits I listed I find your sample build to be a bit confusing.  While I do admit that not having access to magazine content is contributing to that, some power choice also don't mesh with the class they are noted for, like Prismatic Spray at Fighter level 25...?  Am I to assume that you mean it's retrained to Prismatic Spray using one of the multiclass Power feats?  Just some points you might want to address.

Every Extra Append: Okay, I see where I messed up at the end of the build, forgot to take the epic destiny.  That cleared that up but I'm still left with the handful of magazine powers to work around.
The best counter to this would be to wear Shadowdance Armor (you don't provoke OA with ranged/area attacks. I'll have to consider that in my next edit. Thanks for the observation!



Only problem is that Shadowdance only comes in cloth or leather (oh, how my archer wishes it came in hide) and would mean quite a hit in AC especially since this build is low in Dex. Also it would mean no Screaming Armor

 Only problem is that Shadowdance only comes in cloth or leather (oh, how my archer wishes it came in hide) and would mean quite a hit in AC especially since this build is low in Dex. Also it would mean no Screaming Armor



But this build is high in INT (which AC also keys off of), so it would only be the step down from hide (which this build wears already) to leather. Still a painful cut, but it may be worth it to miss the AO. And Screaming Armor would be tough to lose, but it's only a 1 target 1/enc. . . Any other ideas on mitigating the OA threat?
But this build is high in INT (which AC also keys off of), so it would only be the step down from hide (which this build wears already) to leather. Still a painful cut, but it may be worth it to miss the AO. And Screaming Armor would be tough to lose, but it's only a 1 target 1/enc. . . Any other ideas on mitigating the OA threat?

Shift action, Wizard's Escape encounter utility (via Acolyte Power feat or Seeker's Lore), voidsoul genasi's 'Void Assumption' encounter power, Dual Strike or other close blast/burst powers, half-elf with Sword Burst at-will (with Versatile Master feat), halfling with Nimble Spellcaster feat, eladrin's Fey Step encounter power or some other means to teleport before the attack (boots of teleportation are probably best but lvl 28 epic tier)...

But this build is high in INT (which AC also keys off of), so it would only be the step down from hide (which this build wears already) to leather. Still a painful cut, but it may be worth it to miss the AO. And Screaming Armor would be tough to lose, but it's only a 1 target 1/enc. . . Any other ideas on mitigating the OA threat?



Yeah I keep forgetting about that on these boards, that change in 4e is just a tough one for me to remember.

 Only problem is that Shadowdance only comes in cloth or leather (oh, how my archer wishes it came in hide) and would mean quite a hit in AC especially since this build is low in Dex. Also it would mean no Screaming Armor



But this build is high in INT (which AC also keys off of), so it would only be the step down from hide (which this build wears already) to leather. Still a painful cut, but it may be worth it to miss the AO. And Screaming Armor would be tough to lose, but it's only a 1 target 1/enc. . . Any other ideas on mitigating the OA threat?


Once you're wearing the Shadowdance leather, if you use Winged Horde it also completely shuts down enemy OAs - the rider on a hit is no OAs until the end of your next turn.  And it's enemy only, so you can fire it off in a burst on or around you before moving and be free and clear.
[20:53] [SadisticFish] yeah Llamas convinced me

This looks great.  I'd been meaning to revisit my old Feystorm build after Arcane Power came out, but never had a chance.

One other idea I had was to multi-class Sorceror and use Burning Spray as an at-will Close Blast 3.  It targets Reflex instead of Fort and uses Charisma instead of Int, which would make a Half-Elf Versatile Master a possibility.

Going Sorceror also gives you access to powers like Platinum Scales and Draconic Mastery, which would both work well for multi-marking characters.

I can't seem to get the light shield to work on Wizard's character generator if my guy is holding a staff. Am I clicking in the wrong places?

I think it's a Character Builder glitch... it doesn't seem let you hold something in your hand when you are using a light shield.

One thing you might also consider is to skip the Implement Master feat and defensive staff altogether and use a heavy shield with the shield specialization feat.

You lose:  +3 AC (Staff of Defense, Defensive Staff, Armor Specialization (hide)), +1 Fort (defensive staff), +1 Ref (defensive staff), +1 Will (defensive staff)

You gain:  1 feat (no Implement Master), +3 AC (heavy shield, shield specialization), +3 Ref (heavy shield, shield specialization)

Imo, 1 feat, +2 Ref > +1 Fort, +1 Will ... but you would also need to emphasize Dex (+ Init) over Con (- healing surge/s).  And if you selected shadowdance armor you would then be at a net -1 AC too (all the more reason to consider using a shield with shield specialization feat).

Otoh holding a defensive staff in conjunction with Staff of Defense feature in the hand you using a light shield with shield specialization feat is probably still the best of both worlds, netting the additional +1 AC (that CB doesn't seem to recognize).  Since you aren't technically wielding the staff you couldn't use the Staff of Defense encounter power, making the Con bonus less relevant.

One other idea I had was to multi-class Sorceror and use Burning Spray as an at-will Close Blast 3.  It targets Reflex instead of Fort and uses Charisma instead of Int, which would make a Half-Elf Versatile Master a possibility.
Going Sorceror also gives you access to powers like Platinum Scales and Draconic Mastery, which would both work well for multi-marking characters.

Good to see you back on the boards!

Yeah, I was thinking something similar.  In the case of paragon-multiclassing sorcerer, dragonborn also seems like a good fit.  You are eligible for Sorcerous Power and can get Draconic Spellcaster for an accuracy boost. Halflings make great sorcerers too with the Nimble Spellcaster feat and small size advantage with a goblin totem weapon-implement.


Unfortunately Seeker's Lore doesn't seem to allow you take the same utility power twice... and Seeker of the Many Paths does not appear to work for Utility powers, per Character Builder.  No doubling up on Platinum Scales. ;(

If you can afford Windrise Ports and a paladin MC feat you could pick up Group Defense.  If you don't mind pulling from Ebberon you could add mark of warding,  between those two you could add an additional effective -3 to monster to hits.  You would add 1 to your mark and any ally attacked by a creature you marked would get +2 to all defenses.
. . . compliments and sorcerer ideas. . .


I'm really glad you like the build. As for the sorcerer, I'll only get one power from it (either Draconic Majesty or Platinum Scales). When I edit this soon, I'm thinking of going half-elf with Windrise and the paladin's Group Defense. So I think you should totally do your sorcerer idea and post it. Thanks for providing some of the inspiration for this build!

If you can afford Windrise Ports and a paladin MC feat you could pick up Group Defense.  If you don't mind pulling from Ebberon you could add mark of warding,  between those two you could add an additional effective -3 to monster to hits.  You would add 1 to your mark and any ally attacked by a creature you marked would get +2 to all defenses.


This may be the way that this guys turns out. If I went half elf, though, it would mean he would get -1 to hit (no racial Int bonus). . . but I think it may be worth it if I switch to Winged Horde.
Playing with hardcover power replacements I think I found a few that were nice and kept in line with the theme of the build.  There are some feats I didn't get in lieu of others as I'm not a fan of equipment-centric builds.  Also, the equipment shown below is for a level 6 build which I will be using in a game I'm in.

Deva Civvyalstread, Sigil-born Tiefling
Deva Civvyalstread, level 30
Tiefling, Fighter, Paragon Multiclassing, Eternal Seeker
Fighter Talents: Tempest Technique
Arcane Implement Proficiency: Arcane Implement Proficiency (heavy blade group)
Arcane Admixture Damage Type: Arcane Admixture Thunder
Arcane Implement Mastery: Staff of Defense
Seeking Destiny: Memory of Cyre
Arcane Admixture Power: Chilling Cloud
Background: Birth - On Another Plane (+2 to Arcana)

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 23, Con 16, Dex 12, Int 26, Wis 13, Cha 12.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 15, Con 14, Dex 10, Int 16, Wis 11, Cha 8.


AC: 41 Fort: 39 Reflex: 40 Will: 32
HP: 220 Surges: 14 Surge Value: 55

TRAINED SKILLS
Intimidate +23, Endurance +23, Athletics +26, Arcana +30

UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +16, Bluff +18, Diplomacy +16, Dungeoneering +16, Heal +16, History +23, Insight +16, Nature +16, Perception +16, Religion +23, Stealth +18, Streetwise +16, Thievery +16

FEATS
Level 1: Arcane Initiate
Level 2: Arcane Implement Proficiency
Level 4: Novice Power
Level 6: Mark of Warding
Level 8: Acolyte Power
Level 10: Adept Power
Level 11: Daunting Challenge
Level 12: Arcane Admixture
Level 14: Resounding Thunder
Level 16: Implement Expertise (Heavy Blade)
Level 18: Armor Specialization (Hide)
Level 20: Implement Master
Level 21: Robust Defenses
Level 22: Epic Will
Level 24: Epic Reflexes
Level 26: Epic Fortitude
Level 28: Durable
Level 30: Toughness

POWERS
Arcane Initiate: Illusory Ambush
Fighter at-will 1: Knockdown Assault (retrained to Chilling Cloud at Paragon Multiclassing)
Fighter at-will 1: Dual Strike
Paragon Multiclassing: Maze of Mirrors
Paragon Multiclassing: Illusory Wall
Paragon Multiclassing: Summon Black Devourer
Seeker's Lore: Draconic Majesty
Fighter encounter 1: Funneling Flurry
Fighter daily 1: Knee Breaker
Fighter utility 2: Defensive Stance
Fighter encounter 3: Blinding Smash (retrained to Maze of Mirrors at Novice Power level 4, retrained to Chill Claws at Novice Power level 11)
Fighter daily 5: Rain of Steel
Fighter utility 6: Defensive Training
Fighter encounter 7: Twofold Torment
Fighter daily 9: Thicket of Blades
Fighter utility 10: Menacing Stance (retrained to Blur at Acolyte Power)
Fighter encounter 13: Scattering Swing (retrained to Prismatic Burst at Novice Power) (replaces Twofold Torment)
Fighter daily 15: Unyielding Avalanche (replaces Knee Breaker)
Fighter utility 16: Bolstering Stride
Fighter encounter 17: Vorpal Tornado (replaces Funneling Flurry)
Fighter daily 19: Protective Sweep (retrained to Evard's Black Tentacles at Adept Power) (replaces Thicket of Blades)
Fighter utility 22: Howl of Defiance
Fighter encounter 23: Snowy Grasp (replaces Blinding Smash)
Fighter daily 25: Prismatic Spray (replaces Rain of Steel)
Fighter encounter 27: Chain Lightning (replaces Vorpal Tornado)
Fighter daily 29: Legion's Hold (replaces Unyielding Avalanche)

ITEMS
Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Fine Clothing, Pouch, Belt (empty) (2), Rope, hempen (50 ft.), Waterskin, Cloth Armor (Basic Clothing), Screaming Hide Armor +2, Dagger, Implement, Staff, Githyanki Silver Khopesh +2, Everburning Torch


Notations: I discovered a bug in the character generator that prevented me from having Maze of Mirrors at paragon because, despite having been retrained, the level 4 Novice Power retrain was not releasing the power.  Easily worked around.  Also, there's another bug that causes the character generator to forget what power you Admixed.  Not so easily worked around...

I went with Daunting Challenge instead of Psychic Lock as it's neigh impossible to consistently find Githyank Silver swords when the enemy treasure pools are randomized and a +2 weapon just won't cut it after paragon.

The other replacing powers are there to take up where the magazine powers would as, as mentioned in a previous post of mine in this thread, my DM isn't permitting magazine materials unless they are listed in the Annual hardcover.  Admittedly, though, some of them make me sad to lose once in epic, like Unyielding Avalanche.  It's perfect for this build with the AC bonus and free damage.

I hope I managed to catch the heart of the build with my take on it.
Note that you don't have to find new githyanki silver swords.  You can continue to enchant the one you have (if you can get hold of or enchant one in the first place).  AV lets you use Enchant Item to add plusses to an existing item at the cost of the price difference between them.

Also, as a tiefling fighter, you really ought to consider getting your hands on lingering wrath.
Dowanroden, your build totally keeps the essence of Sir Marks-a-Lot. Let us know how it is to play. It's all still theory to me. I have yet to play a marking machine like this yet. I'd imagine that a practical threshold for imposing to-hit penalties would probably be closer to -5. I'm trying to think as a DM: how much penalty to hit would one PC have to inflict on my monsters before I make that PC the primary focus of my monsters' attacks (to remove that PC and get on with slaughtering the rest of the PCs)? I think a -5 or worse would make that decision unavoidable.
Thanks.  Just to note, this thread seems to point out a small problem that some DMs may or may not let slide.  I dodged the issue with my choice of feats but it's worth looking into in your example build.
-5 is doable with two feats as a paladin, three if you have to MC into paladin.

Mark of Warding + Group Defense.  Double dipping on the increased mark and bonus to defense powers is pretty broken.  I had that combo on a level 2 paladin, good fun with the paladin multi-mark powers.

Paladins and Wardens seem to be the way to go at heroic before the fighter ability to mark with at will AEs kicks in.  Warden especially seems like it could be funny, for one round per combat you could pretty much count on the enemies not hitting. 
Thanks.  Just to note, this thread seems to point out a small problem that some DMs may or may not let slide.  I dodged the issue with my choice of feats but it's worth looking into in your example build.


Based on the thread, I'm guessing you're concerned that the Githyanki Silver weapon wouldn't convey the psychic keyword, right?  While just changing or adding a damage type won't give you the damage's keyword, using a magic item to do it will since the item power you're using has that keyword.  It's in the PHB and is clarified in the PHB FAQ:
14. When do a Magic Item's keywords apply?
If you use a magic item's power in conjunction with a power granted to you by your race or class, that item's keywords are added to the regular keywords of the power you are using. For example, if you are have a Flaming Weapon, and you use an at-will power to attack an enemy along with the at-will power of the Flaming Weapon, your attack will have the Fire keyword in addition to the normal keywords of your attack. You have to be using the powers of the weapon for those keywords to be added; simply using the magic item does not necessarily mean every keyword attached to a power of that item will be added.


So the PP feature being discussed in that thread wouldn't add the cold keyword, but magic items specifically convey the keywords of their powers when you use that power to alter one of yours.  Githyanki Silver weapons give you the psychic keyword whenever you want it.


-5 is doable with two feats as a paladin, three if you have to MC into paladin.

Mark of Warding + Group Defense.  Double dipping on the increased mark and bonus to defense powers is pretty broken.  I had that combo on a level 2 paladin, good fun with the paladin multi-mark powers. 



Interesting.  I'm not an Insider, so I don't have access to Character Builder, but I'd really love to see a build based on:

1) Half-Elf, using Sorceror's Burning Spray as the Dilettante Power
2) Multi-Class Paladin, taking primarily Charisma based powers
3) At Paragon, take Versatile Master + Paragon Multiclass Paragon (so you can take powers from any class starting at Paragon)

At Paragon, you'd have:
- At will Tide of Iron, Enfeebling Strike, and Burning Spray
- Access to any class's powers at level 11, 12, and 20
- Access to the Star of Corellon Holy Symbol, which means you could save a feat on "Arcane Implement Proficiency" and you could choose any weapon you wanted.
- Paladin powers to help you survive after you become a target (plus Wrath of the Gods and a high Charisma score)
Just noticed, if you want the benefits of this build without PP loss or a specific main class, you can also pull it off with any Halfelf Mc Warden, + Dilettante's Mark & Versatile Master. Only works on the versatile power however (but a thunder powered 7x7 square sword burst is nice ! And you keep the PP and free choice of base class)
I'm glad I found this thread, its given me some more ideas. I actually just finished up a version of a hit debuff half-elf fighter/rogue paragon multiclass. I might post it later to get some more ideas for it, but for your build if you choose to switch to half elf I can give you a couple of options for the versatile master paragon multiclass (I thought about trying to make a racial handbook for the half elf because of versatile master multiclassing).

Encounter: Disruptive Strike (Ranger 3, PHB1)

Immediate interrupt, on hit 3+wis attack penalty. Since its a weapon attack your getting psychic lock + marking.

Utility: Shield of Light (Encounter)(Invoker 6, PHB2)

Immediate interrupt when an enemy targets an ally, ranged 10, -3 to hit. Just a simple debuff effective if somethings already marked, but useful if its not.

Executioner's Mein (Daily, Stance)(Rogue 10, MP)

Your going to need to retrain a skill into intimidate to use it, but it adds rattling to all of your attacks. An additional -2 to all atacks that hit during an encounter is great, more so for your build which has no rattling attacks anyways.

Daily: Rage of the Death Spirit(Barbarian 9,PP)

Mark everything within 2 squares as a free action at the start of your turn while your raging, and you get a +2 to hit any marked target. Simple.

A feat, rattling exploit gives an encounter martial attack the rattling keyword, you'll still need to be trained in intimidate to get the rattling effect.
The main problem I've found with finding the perfect half-elf dilletente power is that Githyanki Silver weapons are Heavy Blade only and it is very difficult to gain implement usage of Heavy Blade unless your main class is Swordmage (hybrid? - but that screws up your fighter marking) or you multiclass an arcane class and take Arcane Implement Proficiency.

The only way I can find to use the dilettente power effectively is to either use Twin Strike (which ties you down to melee) or to multiclass into invoker (to get invoker implement usage) and take visions of blood (which has the psychic keyword) as your dilletante.  In order to mark with it you'd need Warden in there somewhere and maybe a paladin mc too.

I'd maybe go Warden as the main class and take Windrise Ports to snag paladin and invoker mc.  Alternatively - maybe there's a bardic solution...

You only need the Silver Weapon if you want more than a -5 penalty on your mark.

If you're happy with a -5 penalty then you can avoid a lot of the arguments about being able to use a weapon as an implement to add keywords.

If you used Chilling Cloud you could Impose a -7 to hit anyone else and a -2 to hit you as an AE marking attack.  At that point I don't think you need to tack on a lot more hit penalties before everyone tries to mob you and beat you down.  You would probably be better off at that point if the enemies decide to take a swing at your friends at a -7 to hit.  In most cases that means they're hoping to roll what, 16+?  Or more? 
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