Comments on: Why You Want A Controller In Your Party

By: Adventuring With A Sub-Optimal Party (Part 3) — Dungeon's Master

Adventuring With A Sub-Optimal Party (Part 3) — Dungeon's Master — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:03:07 +0000

[...] Some would argue that the controller is not an essential role. Of the four roles most players feel the controller is easily the most dispensable. About a year ago we ran a poll asking which role a party could do without. The controller won that dubious honour hands down. While the early heroic tier might support this viewpoint, it quickly becomes evident that controllers are indispensable by the time a party hits the middle of the paragon tier. Controllers are more than capable of carrying a party forward to victory. The fact is you want a controller in your party. [...]

By: Dominic Amann

Dominic Amann — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:23:26 +0000

My first LFR character is a controller, and has played all the way to paragon. Even at early levels, the ability to slow an enemy with a ranged at-will is amazingly useful, and throughout the levels, I have been able to shape the battle – putting two or three monsters on hold while the party finishes off the other 2 or 3 – putting in the killing blow on others, or getting a large bunch all nicely damaged for the strikers to get some quick kills.

There have been a couple of combats with ACs that required even our strikers needed to roll 17s (and the defender to roll a 20) to hit – but I have been able to not only hit with a 13 (will or reflex), but have given my allies combat advantage so they needed only 15s and 18s. The ability to freely choose the defense to target is priceless.

In short, a controller can create blocking, concealing and hindering terrain, damaging (hazardous) terrain, cause damage in up to 49 squares simultaneously (or more with an enlarge), give direct advantage to his allies, or improve his allies defenses. In addition, a large number of utility powers let the controller gain access to inaccessible areas, reveal invisible objects, respond to personal attacks. Then there are rituals – which can turn a skill challenge into a cakewalk even when a vital role is missing in your party.

Take it from me – there is no party which is not stronger with the addition of a well prepared controller.

By: Philo Pharynx

Philo Pharynx — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:28:43 +0000

I’ve been rebuilding my genasi wizard over the last few levels. That’s when playing a controller ‘clicked’ in my head and I realized how to change things to make her work better. When you have the mindset, it works really well. 4e has a number of issues, big and small, that require the right mindset to get the best use out of.

By: Wimwick

Wimwick — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 01:54:43 +0000

@ Matt
If all your controller is doing is flaming sphere, they are sorely neglecting the avilities of their class. Give it a shot, especially if you’re playing at Paragon or higher level.

@ Mike
I agree a well played controller makes everyone play better.

@ Toldain
I agree that controllers aren’t like or at least misunderstood because other players ‘get in the way’. After getting caught by a few blasts the tanks and strikers will look to the controller for direction.

By: Toldain

Toldain — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:36:01 +0000

Having played controller classes in MMORPG’s for a long time, I’m a big advocate of the role, but there’s a limit, which is why their usefulness isn’t obvious at first.

More offense, more damage dealing, is always helpful. More defense than “enough” doesn’t really do much. Control abilities go under the defense category. So if you are running encounters that don’t test the party’s defenses, the controller seems unnecessary.

Then there’s the times when you are about to be overwhelmed by a wave of attackers, the controller waves his wand (or in my case, gives his shiny smile and tosses his fabulous red hair) and the problem goes away. Problem solved, easy mode.

But the other reason that people don’t like controllers in 4e is that it creates a conflict of interest. Melee types want to rush in, but if they do so, it will get in the way of the big area effect spell that was just cast. This stuff doesn’t work with a party that doesn’t trust each other and can’t play as a team.
.-= Toldain´s last blog ..Raven Incoming, Red Tag =-.

By: mike

mike — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:21:53 +0000

The controller in my group is a powerhouse, he takes out minions, creates damaging zones that affect enemies, and sets up the players to do more damage then before. A controller changes the battlefield and combat conditions in the advantage of the party. Its not 20 damage, its 5 damage to 20 guys who gets slowed as well.

I have never seen a situation were a well developed controller could not improve the parties odds

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:06:08 +0000

Hmm, I might have to see if I can prise the reins of Controller from the hands of the player who seems to do not much else other than flaming sphere :/
Reading about them initially controllers seemed like a great role, but what I’ve seen of them in action didn’t inspire.

By: Tiers Of Play: Epic — Dungeon's Master

Tiers Of Play: Epic — Dungeon's Master — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:08:57 +0000

[...] regular group. I will tell you that we had no defender and two controllers. Read my article about why you want a controller in your party and you’ll understand a little bit more about that [...]

By: Wimwick

Wimwick — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:54:44 +0000

@ anarkeith
You’ve hit the nail on the head, when playing a controller you need to realize that you aren’t going to hog the limelight, and you need to be happy with that.

@ Etherrider
You’ve presented an interesting tactic. The controllers are able to keep the majority of npc’s from attacking, which allows the defender to to physically protect the rest of the party.

@ Geek Ken
If you want your players to enjoy the controller role, have them play a Druid or Seeker with Striker as their secondary role. They will immediately see the benefit of the controller and will still get to dish out some damage.

@ Pierre Gagnon
I find when I’m given the option of playing two characters I always end up favouring one of them. Also as you rise through the tiers in 4e tracking powers and daily item usage can become cumbersome, especially if you are running two PC’s.

By: Pierre Gagnon

Pierre Gagnon — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:50:17 +0000

Well, in my game, each player has two characters (very small group), and each of them has a striker and another character class (Rogue and Invoker, Warlock and Cleric, then Ranger and Paladin). I think that in a way, they all seem to enjoy both their roles: the striker aspect gives them the feeling of high numbers, while the other roles grant them the satisfaction of playing strategically.

My next challenge, however, is to put them before a 3 character game, where they’ll really be forced to chose their role wisely.