D&D: The Fighter

Since nobody expressed a preference, I thought I would start off with an oldie but a goodie, the oft-maligned Fighter. In previous editions of D&D, Fighters often tended to get the short end of the stick, because at higher levels, a wizard or cleric could not only do everything a fighter could do with spells, but also much much more. 4th Edition changed things, though; by giving each class a set of unique abilities, and a role in which to use them, it tuned down the power of the wizards and clerics, and gave classes like the fighter room to shine. The Fighter is a Defender, a role that is essentially supposed to mean that the class defends the other characters in the party, taking hits for them and distracting monsters, whether through wielding a sword and shield and challenging creatures or taking the fight to them with a 2-handed weapon - or even grappling them into submission with bare hands. With no further delay, I give you Eberk, dwarven fighter!

====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Eberk, level 1
Dwarf, Fighter
Fighter: Combat Superiority
Fighter Talents: One-handed Weapon Talent

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 16, Con 16, Dex 12, Int 9, Wis 16, Cha 10.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 16, Con 14, Dex 12, Int 9, Wis 14, Cha 10.


AC: 19 Fort: 15 Reflex: 13 Will: 13
HP: 31 Surges: 12 Surge Value: 7

TRAINED SKILLS
Intimidate +5, Endurance +8, Athletics +6

UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics -1, Arcana -1, Bluff, Diplomacy, Dungeoneering +5, Heal +3, History -1, Insight +3, Nature +3, Perception +3, Religion -1, Stealth -1, Streetwise, Thievery -1

FEATS
Level 1: Defensive Challenge

POWERS
Fighter at-will 1: Tide of Iron
Fighter at-will 1: Cleave
Fighter encounter 1: Bell Ringer
Fighter daily 1: Knee Breaker

ITEMS
Scale Armor, Battleaxe, Heavy Shield, Adventurer's Kit
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As some description may be needed, I'll give a bit: Eberk uses a shield and axe in fine Dwarven tradition. Tide of Iron allows Eberk to push monsters around at his whim with his shield, while Cleave allows him to strike both the creature in front of him and an adjacent creature. Bell Ringer, which can be used once per combat, allows Eberk to Daze an opponent on a successful hit, and since he is using an axe he does extra damage; he gets the extra damage for Knee Breaker as well, though Knee Breaker Slows or Immobilizes the target if Eberk hits. Eberk may be short, but he's vicious. The feat Defensive Challenge allows Eberk to give a defensive bonus to any ally standing next to him, as well, making him good to have around for both offense and defense.