Warlord (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
The warlord, known as the marshal in 3rd edition, is a playable character class
in the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
. They are leaders and commanders, inspiring figures, and master tacticians.
. Marshals are proficient with simple and martial weapons, all armor types and most shields. Marshals project auras, which are divided into major and minor auras. A marshal learns new auras as he or she gains levels, and can project one major aura and one minor aura at a time. Minor auras grant allies within range a narrow bonus based on the Marshal's Charisma modifier bonus, which applies to certain rolls, such as one of the three types of saving throws, skills and ability checks based on a specific ability score, attack rolls for certain combat maneuvers or damage roles in certain circumstances, such as while charging or flanking. Major auras grant allies within range a more broadly applicable bonus which scales with the Marshal's level, such as damage reduction, a bonus to armor class or all saving throws, a bonus to melee or ranged attack rolls or a bonus to all damage rolls. Marshals also have the Grant Move Action class feature, which allows them to grant bonus move actions to allies within range, it can be used a limited number of times per day, based on the Marshal's level. Some newer releases such as Heroes of Battle
and Book of Nine Swords have provided additional materials for Warlord characters to build upon.
The marshal is a military commander whose abilities are focused on leading others into battle and inspiring them to victory. As they progress in levels, marshals gain the ability to project minor and major "auras" that grant a variety of bonuses to nearby allies. Charisma is the marshal's most important ability, as it enhances the effectiveness of his minor auras and is the key ability for several of the marshal's class skills, in particular Diplomacy. The marshal also has the ability to grant nearby allies bonus move actions. Although a military-style class that is proficient with most weapons and armor, the marshal himself is not as good at combat as a fighter: the marshal has the same hit die, saving throws, and attack bonus progression as a cleric.
. Warlords are Martial Leaders. Other martial oriented character classes include the fighter
, ranger
, and rogue
. Other leaders include the cleric
, bard
, artificer
and shaman
. As leaders, warlords are focused on buffing and healing
allies, however, like all 4th edition classes, their attack powers generally include damage dealing capabilities.
Warlords evolved from the marshals of 3rd edition, filling the leader role in 4th edition's new role categories. They were designed to be physically tough, able to stand alongside the defender classes, fighter and paladin
, but their powers are based on directing actions, providing bonuses to attack and defense, and healing their allies. There are two suggested builds for the warlord class: the Inspiring Warlord, focused on Charisma and the Tactical Warlord, focused on Intelligence. Warlord attack exploits are generally strength-based and use melee weapons.
Warlords have three class features. Combat Leader improves the initiative of allies within range. The Commanding Presence class feature has four versions: Inspiring Presence, Tactical Presence, Bravura Presence and Resourceful Presence, one version of Commanding Presence is chosen during character creation, and a second version can be obtained with a feat. Inspiring Presence and Tactical Presence are presented in the Player's Handbook, while Bravura Presence and Resourceful Presence are presented in Martial Power. Inspiring Presence allows allies to regain a number of hit points based on the Warlord's level and Charisma when they spend action points for extra actions, and provides Charisma-based bonuses to many Warlord exploits. Tactical Presence causes allies to gain a bonus to attack rolls based on the warlord's intelligence whenever they use an action point to make an extra attack, and provides Intelligence-based bonuses to many Warlord exploits. Inspiring Word allows the warlord or an ally to spend a healing surge and increases the healing provided by doing so, and can be used several times per encounter.
Paragon paths for warlords include Combat Veteran (Player's Handbook), Battle Captain (Player's Handbook), Knight Commander (Player's Handbook), Sword Marshal (Player's Handbook), Shadow Captain (Manual of the Planes) and the Pack Master (Dragon #364).
Character class (Dungeons & Dragons)
A character class is a fundamental part of the identity and nature of characters in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. A character's capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses are largely defined by his or her chosen class; choosing a class is one of the first steps a player takes in order to...
in the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
. They are leaders and commanders, inspiring figures, and master tacticians.
Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition (2000-2007)
Marshals were introduced in the Miniatures HandbookMiniatures Handbook
The Miniatures Handbook is an official supplement for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons roleplaying game.-Contents:It includes information about the Dungeons and Dragons Miniatures Game, new base classes, prestige classes, feats, spells, and monsters, including aspects of deities and...
. Marshals are proficient with simple and martial weapons, all armor types and most shields. Marshals project auras, which are divided into major and minor auras. A marshal learns new auras as he or she gains levels, and can project one major aura and one minor aura at a time. Minor auras grant allies within range a narrow bonus based on the Marshal's Charisma modifier bonus, which applies to certain rolls, such as one of the three types of saving throws, skills and ability checks based on a specific ability score, attack rolls for certain combat maneuvers or damage roles in certain circumstances, such as while charging or flanking. Major auras grant allies within range a more broadly applicable bonus which scales with the Marshal's level, such as damage reduction, a bonus to armor class or all saving throws, a bonus to melee or ranged attack rolls or a bonus to all damage rolls. Marshals also have the Grant Move Action class feature, which allows them to grant bonus move actions to allies within range, it can be used a limited number of times per day, based on the Marshal's level. Some newer releases such as Heroes of Battle
Heroes of Battle
Heroes of Battle is a hardcover supplement to the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game.-Contents:It is intended for use by Dungeon Masters who want to incorporate large-scale, epic battles into their game...
and Book of Nine Swords have provided additional materials for Warlord characters to build upon.
The marshal is a military commander whose abilities are focused on leading others into battle and inspiring them to victory. As they progress in levels, marshals gain the ability to project minor and major "auras" that grant a variety of bonuses to nearby allies. Charisma is the marshal's most important ability, as it enhances the effectiveness of his minor auras and is the key ability for several of the marshal's class skills, in particular Diplomacy. The marshal also has the ability to grant nearby allies bonus move actions. Although a military-style class that is proficient with most weapons and armor, the marshal himself is not as good at combat as a fighter: the marshal has the same hit die, saving throws, and attack bonus progression as a cleric.
Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
The Warlord appears as a core class in the Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition Player's HandbookPlayer's Handbook
The Player's Handbook is a book of rules for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons . It does not contain the complete set of rules, but only those for use by players of the game...
. Warlords are Martial Leaders. Other martial oriented character classes include the fighter
Fighter (Dungeons & Dragons)
The fighter is one of the standard playable character classes in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A fighter is a versatile, weapons-oriented warrior who fights using skill, strategy and tactics....
, ranger
Ranger (Dungeons & Dragons)
The ranger is one of the standard playable character class in most editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. They are protectors of nature, skilled woodsmen, and often live reclusive lives as hermits....
, and rogue
Rogue (Dungeons & Dragons)
The rogue or thief is one of the standard playable character class in most editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A rogue is a versatile character, capable of sneaky combat and nimble tricks...
. Other leaders include the cleric
Cleric (Dungeons & Dragons)
The cleric is one of the standard playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. In the game, clerics are versatile figures, both capable in combat and skilled in the use of divine magic. Clerics are powerful healers due to the large number of healing and curative...
, bard
Bard (Dungeons & Dragons)
The bard is a standard playable character class in many editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The bard class is versatile, capable of combat and of magic . Bards use their artistic talents to induce magical effects...
, artificer
Artificer (Dungeons & Dragons)
An artificer is a skilled mechanic in the armed forces, chiefly British. It may also refer to:* A person who makes artifacts* Artificer Sergeant Major, an appointment held by a Warrant Officer Class 1 in the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers...
and shaman
Shaman (Dungeons & Dragons)
The shaman is an alternate playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Dungeons & Dragons :The Orcs of Thar covers orcish shamans...
. As leaders, warlords are focused on buffing and healing
Healer (gaming)
A healer is a type of character class in video gaming. When a game includes a health game mechanic and multiple classes, often one of the classes will be designed around the restoration of allies' health, known as healing, in order to delay or prevent their defeat. Such a class can be referred to...
allies, however, like all 4th edition classes, their attack powers generally include damage dealing capabilities.
Warlords evolved from the marshals of 3rd edition, filling the leader role in 4th edition's new role categories. They were designed to be physically tough, able to stand alongside the defender classes, fighter and paladin
Paladin (Dungeons & Dragons)
The paladin is one of the standard playable character classes in most editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The paladin is a holy knight, crusading in the name of good and order, and is a divine spellcaster...
, but their powers are based on directing actions, providing bonuses to attack and defense, and healing their allies. There are two suggested builds for the warlord class: the Inspiring Warlord, focused on Charisma and the Tactical Warlord, focused on Intelligence. Warlord attack exploits are generally strength-based and use melee weapons.
Warlords have three class features. Combat Leader improves the initiative of allies within range. The Commanding Presence class feature has four versions: Inspiring Presence, Tactical Presence, Bravura Presence and Resourceful Presence, one version of Commanding Presence is chosen during character creation, and a second version can be obtained with a feat. Inspiring Presence and Tactical Presence are presented in the Player's Handbook, while Bravura Presence and Resourceful Presence are presented in Martial Power. Inspiring Presence allows allies to regain a number of hit points based on the Warlord's level and Charisma when they spend action points for extra actions, and provides Charisma-based bonuses to many Warlord exploits. Tactical Presence causes allies to gain a bonus to attack rolls based on the warlord's intelligence whenever they use an action point to make an extra attack, and provides Intelligence-based bonuses to many Warlord exploits. Inspiring Word allows the warlord or an ally to spend a healing surge and increases the healing provided by doing so, and can be used several times per encounter.
Paragon paths for warlords include Combat Veteran (Player's Handbook), Battle Captain (Player's Handbook), Knight Commander (Player's Handbook), Sword Marshal (Player's Handbook), Shadow Captain (Manual of the Planes) and the Pack Master (Dragon #364).