Classes are the bedrock of anyDungeons and Dragonscharacter sheet, as they determine which primary abilities the player will use for possibly their whole playthrough. Many official and homebrew classes are split into two major categories: Martial and Caster. The former uses mostly physical attacks using their weapons or bodies, while the latter uses mostly spells to get the job done in combat. The Warlord, fromDungeons and DragonsFourth Edition, has a quality that players won’t usually expect from a Martial class. It’s this unique feature that makes it a prime candidate as an expansion class for current and future editions of the game.
The Warlord is one of the featured classes inDungeons and Dragons 4e’s Player’s Handbook. This class is categorized as one of the “Leaders” of a party because its features allow the player to either improve their character’s combat abilities when they’re in proximity of allies or improve their teammates’ capabilities with their presence. It has the usual stats and proficiencies one would expect from a martial class.
The Warlord’s Features Make it an Exciting and Unique Class to Revive in Dungeons and Dragons
Warlord Stats in Dungeons and Dragons
Most supportiveclasses inD&Dfall under the Caster category, as the game usually lets players heal and buff teammates through spells. However, the Warlord broke this mold inDungeons and Dragons 4eby being an excellent support despite being primarily a Martial Class, thanks to its Warlord Leadership and Commanding Presence Features.
Commanding Presence
Players have six choices under this feature, all of which can boost their allies’ extra actions in various ways.
Warlord Leadership
Players can choose between three versions of this feature. Combat Leader gives the Warlord and nearby allies a plus two power bonus to initiative, which helps in getting the jump on enemies in case a fight breaks out. Battlefront Leader gives Heavy Shield proficiency and the Battlefront Shift power, which lets them move up to half their speed without provoking opportunity attacks from enemies. Meanwhile, Canny Leader gives the Warlord and their allies plus two to their Insight andPerception checks.
The Warlord also gains Inspiring Word, which can target themselves or a nearby teammate. Targets of Inspiring Word can use healing surge and gain bonus HP from doing so. The Warlord is in a league of its own as a supportiveMartial Class, with features that encourage the player to stay close to their allies to protect and buff them. This gameplay isn’t new in any sense, but it will definitely be an interesting addition to5e, if it ever gets revived.
