Battle Champion

"These scars tell you all you need to know about my experience. Follow my lead and you'll get your victory."

Prerequisite: Warlord and fighter

You have seen more battles than you can count. The clash of weapon against armor, the bitter screams of dying soldiers, the creaking of saddle leather, all of this and more are as much a part of you as the blood in your veins and the heart that pumps it. No training could prepare you for the atrocities you witness. No drill simulates the life and death struggle between enemies. You may have learned the fundamentals from your mentor, but the battlefield was your true instructor.
You combine tactical genius with practical application, blending your talent for maneuver with your mastery over fighting techniques and weaponry. You lead from the front, charge into battle, and smash through your enemies. You can direct your allies to positions where they can be most effective. Those who fight on your side learn much from your techniques, and by following your example are better able to respond to the enemies arrayed against you.
The battle champion paragon path is best suited to tactical warlords and guardian fighters. Your path features improve your allies' performance, giving them a powerful edge when using action points and the ability to match your attacks when you spend an action point. Your powers work best when you are engaged with an enemy while allies are nearby.

BATTLE CHAMPION PATH FEATURES

    Champion's Presence (11th level): Whenever an ally you can see spends an action point to make an extra attack, the ally makes two attack rolls on its first attack and uses the higher result. The attack scores a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20.
    Defensive Word (11th level): Any ally that regains hit points from your inspiring word also gains a +2 bonus to all defenses until it makes an attack.
    Veteran Action (16th level): When you spend an action point to make an extra attack, one ally adjacent to you may also make a melee basic attack as a free action.

End ThisBattle Champion Attack 11

You send your enemy onto a waiting ally's weapon with a mighty swing.

Encounter ✦ Martial, Weapon
Standard Action Melee weapon

Target: One creature

Attack: Strength vs. AC

Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage, and push the target to any unoccupied space within 5 squares of you that is adjacent to an ally you can see. That ally makes a melee basic attack with combat advantage against the target as a free action.

Vigilant DefenseBattle Champion Utility 12

A harsh command sharpens your allies' focus so no enemy can get past them.

Daily ✦ Martial, Zone
Minor Action Close burst 1

Effect: The burst creates a zone of shouted commands that lasts until the end of the encounter. The zone moves with you. Allies in the zone gain a bonus to opportunity attack rolls equal to your Intelligence modifier.

Decisive StratagemBattle Champion Attack 20

Even as you press your attack against your opponent, you bark commands to your allies to ensure a swift and final victory.

Daily ✦ Martial, Weapon
Standard Action Melee weapon

Effect: Before the attack, each ally within 5 squares may slide 1 square.

Target: One creature

Attack: Strength + 2 vs. AC

Hit: 2[W] + Strength modifier damage.

Effect: After the attack, each ally within 5 squares may either shift 1 square, gain 5 + your Intelligence modifier temporary hit points, or make a melee basic attack.

Published in Dragon Magazine 390.