RP Guides from the Closed WOTC Forums

[Fialova]

I am hijacking this unused subforum to use as a place where I can (temporarily) copy and store the 4e build guides from the WOTC forums, which are closing on the 29th of October. They are a great resource and I'd hate for them to simply disappear. In case anyone wants to help me, the old guides can be found here until the forums shut down.

If anyone from the WOTC forums who created on of these guides finds their way here and wants their guide removed, please PM me and I will gladly do so. I am not trying to step on any toes, just want to retain access to these wonderful resources.

[Fialova]

Helpful Threads and Resources

General Discussion

A Beginner's Primer to CharOp (July 2011) - RuinsFate
The Complete Newbie's Non-Rulebook Glossary (July 2011) - Valenkosh
The Art of Optimization (June 2009) - Phryxian_lawnmower
Posting Guidelines (March 2010) - Phyrixian_lawnmower
The Munchkin Fallacy (August 2008) - AlphatheGreat
The Stormwind Fallacy (repost) (May 2006) - Tempest Stormwind
The Handbook of Broken (wiki), discussion here (November 2010) - kilpatds


General Optimization

Modularity: A Guide to CO Tricks and Tactics (November 2010) - AlphatheGreat
10 Rules of Party Optimization (October 2010) - Rancid Rogue
This Party is Off the Hook! A Miniguide to Party Optimization (August 2010) - GelatiousOctahedron
4e Wealth by Level (February 2010) - Kordak
MONEY, table(s) (September 2009) - awaken_D_M_golem

Non-Class Guides

Creatures

Saddle Up! - A guide to mounts and mounted combat (April 2011) - RuinsFate
The Pet Store - A Familiar Keeper's Handbook (October 2011) - Krika


Items

Weapons of Legacy: A Compendium of Magic Items(January 2013) - Armisael
Holy Symbols for the Non-Divine (January 2012) - mellored
Let's Accessorize: The Item Guide (January 2012) - Soulliard
Ginzu Items: A Guide to Dual Purpose Implements & Weapons (July 2011) - GelatinousOctahedron


Nova

Iaijutsu - A Guide to Alpha-Striking (November 2010) - langeweile
The Big Bang: A Guide to Novas (April 2011) - MC-DrowBane
Ways to Gain or Downgrade Actions (August 2011) - mellored
Using an encounter power more than once per encounter: A Resource Mini-Guide (May 2010) - ChaosMage


Stealth

The_Rules_Of_Hidden_Club: Targeting things you can't see in D&D (January 2012) - LordOfWeasels
Mr Cellophane: How to be unnoticed (January 2012) - mellored


General Combat

List of Bonuses To Saving Throws (April 2011) – mellored
The At-Will to Power: A Guide to At-Will enhancing (August 2010) – Dielzen
When Everyone is Super: A Miniguide to Classless Damage Boosts (June 2013) - svendj
Its Elemental - A Guide to Damage Types (July 2011) – Dielzen
Back to Basics - A Guide to Basic Attacks (August 2012) - Fardiz
Expanded Crit Range - What it's really worth (February 2011) – mellored
BAMF: A Guide To Teleportation (November 2013) – Zathris
And Stay Down: The Polearm Momentum Handbook (November 2011) - Wazat1
Juggling Implements : A simple guide to implement benefits for casters (October 2011) – Kryx
Bag of Blades: A Guide to Off-Hand Properties and Free Action Item-Swapping (March 2011) – LazyNinja
Neener Neener: The Attack Penalties Handbook (December 2011) - MonkeyGentleman
Phalanx tactics and builds. (April 2012) - Mellored
Archer's Companion (March 2012) - Dzance


Skills

Skill Power: a mini-guide to optimizing skill challenges (June 2010) - Ignis_Fatuus
Arcana check optimization (January 2011) - SongNSilence
Comprehensive Skill Substitution List (June 2011) - Scandranon-sg


Class-Independent Power Sources

How I came to be: An adventurer's guide to backgrounds (Sept 2011) - Kryx
Ordered background list (Dec 2012) - captpike
Broken, Beat and Scarred - A Guide to Spellscars (August 2011) - Zathris
Variation on Themes: A Theme Handbook (June 2013) - Mommy_was_an_Orc
-- This is who I am: A Guide to Themes (June 2011) - Lord Ventnor
-- Who am I Really?: The Theme Handbook (January 2012) - ls612
Window Shopping in the Astral Sea - Deity Optimization Continued (September 2013) - PestilenceX
-- Window Shopping in the Astral Sea - A Deity Optimization Guide (May 2010) - GelatinousOctahedron
The Eternal Seeker's Guide to the Galaxy (May 2011) - Litigation

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DEFENDERS

General Discussion


Ultimate Defenders (December 2010) - AlphatheGreat
The Art of Defending (July 2009) - mkill
4e, Defenders and the MMO mentality (March 2009) - Unmaker
Defending can be a Two-Person Job - The "Off-Tank" (September 2009) - psk20
Night at the Roxbury: Tricks for Multiple Defender Parties (November 2011) - GelatinousOctahedron


Battlemind


Beyond Bodily Brutality: The Basics of Building Battleminds (January 2012) - Dedekine

Example Builds

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Achilles (August 2010) full Defender, full Striker using Brutal Barrage - langeweile
Ronin (August 2010) Polearm build with big battlefield control and mobility - langeweile

Cavalier


Holy Riders: The Cavalier's Guide (January 2011) - Litigation

Example Builds

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Knight


Death Before Dishonor: A Knight's Guide (May 2011) - lordduskblade

Example Builds

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The Anointed Knight: A Half Elf Knight, Anointed Champion, Ceaseless Guardian (October 2010) - l33

Fighter


Harder than a Rock: The Fighter's Handbook (June 2012) - lordduskblade

Example Builds

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The Wall (July 2010) - warrl
Beowulf, Master of Grabs (December 2010) - lordduskblade
Mr. Smith (January 2011) - lordduskblade
The Taskmaster (November 2010) - lordduskblade
Wolfpack Guardian (October 2010) - lordduskblade
Super-Scrag: Fighter/Pit Fighter/Demigod (June 2010) - Herid_Fel
The Iron Curtain Fighter (April 2010) - langeweile
Tank (v3.0): When Push Comes to Daze (April 2010) - Gnoob
Sir Marks-a-Lot (v2.0): The Penaly-to-Hit Imposition Machine (June 2011) - Valenkosh
How to Build a Black Hole 4e Style (November 2010) - Valenkosh
Charging Bull: A Minotaur Fighter/Beastblooded Minotaur/Demigod - ls612
Ned the Netman: Brawler Fighter/Adroit Explorer/Destined Scion - Lord_Ventnor

Paladin


Pillars of Faith (and Facestabs): The Paladin's Handbook (January 2012) - Litigation

Example Builds

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Dispensing Justice -- A Human Straladin Build (June 2011) - Wyldsong
Inexhaustible Dragon Sovereign (December 2010) - Litigation
Stormhammer of Mercy (June 2010) - Litigation
Davy Jones (June 2010) - Imperil
Iconic Hospitaler of Awsome (May 2010) - Qballony
The Punishing Polepally - Pushing the Straladin's Primary Defender Limits (August 2012) - upho

Swordmage


Masters of Blade Magic: A Swordmage Handbook (March 2012) - Herid_Fel

Example Builds

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Sapphire, Shielding Swordmage / Sigil Carver / Draconic Incarnation (August 2012) - DarthPotater
Thunderstruck, a Striking Swordmage (December 2010) - AlphatheGreat
The Inescapeable Fisherman 2.0, nonhybrid variant (December 2010) - SongNSilence

Warden


A Rock and A Hard Place: A Warden Handbook (January 2012) - AlphaAnt

Example Builds

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Kildok the Primal Tank (August 2010) - Koval
Gorgeous George: The Irresistible Defender (November 2010) - MC-DrowBane

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STRIKERS

General Discussion


The Art of Striking (August 2009) - mkill
Axioms of Striker Construction (April 2009) - ophite


Assassin


All along the crooked Way: An Assassins Handbook (August 2011) - erleni
Look Very Carefully: The Shroud Assassins Handbook (May 2012) - erachima

Example Builds

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Avenger


Righteous Wrath: The Avenger's Handbook(Forum copy of previous Wiki) (January 2013) - kilpatds
Swift & without Mercy: A Guide to Pursuit Avengers (November 2010) - Auspex7

Build Handbooks
Auspex7's Avenger Builds Thread (December 2010) - Auspex7
At the Table - Avenger Tactics, Tricks and Combos (May 2010) - Auspex7

Example Builds

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Mora the unkillable Avenger (October 2010) - mellored

*Making the Infidel Flee: An Avenging Feycharger - Ignis_Fatuus
*Avenlock - The Eternal Wrath of Caiphon - The Exarch
*Angel of Wrath - Avenger/Student of Caiphon - Pandexander
*All-Radiant Avenger - Pursuit variant w/ radiant OAs and charges - Llamas Notsheep

Barbarian


Appetite for Destruction: The Barbarian's Handbook (July 2011) - lordduskblade

Example Builds

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The Oracle of Death (October 2010) - Nova Barbarian and general party support - langeweile
Barbarian Bruiser (September 2010) - lordduskblade
Chain Reaction - Barbarian/Shock Trooper/FuryoftheWild Whirling Slayer (July 2010) - Grey Warden
I Like em Big - Barbarian/Kensai/Reincarnate Champion Hammer Wielder (July 2010) - Grey Warden
Eladrin Barbarian: The most dangerous barbarian build in epic (May 2010) - Elwynadas
The San Diego Super Charger (216 DPR) (April 2010) - ShakaUVM

Berserker


Live for the Kill: A Berserker's Handbook (January 2012) - Dragvandil13

Example Builds

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Blackguard


Tainted Faith: The Blackguard's Guide (December 2011) - Litigation

Example Builds

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Executioner


Death Incarnate: The Executioner's Guide (August 2011) - Litigation

Example Builds

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Hexblade


Blades of Cursed Midnight - A Hexblade's Guide (January 2012) - Lord_Ventnor

Example Builds

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Monk


The Book of Five Traditions: A Monk Handbook (June 2013) - MwaO

Example Builds

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Ranger


Thrill of the Hunt: The Ranger's Handbook (June 2012)- lordduskblade

Example Builds

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*Shoot to Thrill (January 2011) - lordduskblade
*The Trailblazer (December 2010) - lordduskblade
*The Hurricane (November 2010) - lordduskblade
*The Time Bomb (November 2010) - lordduskblade
*Battlefield Archer (November 2010) - lordduskblade
*Damage Inc. - An Exercise in Brutality (October 2010) - MC-DrowBane
*Da Bleeder - 96 ongoing damage without needing to-hit (May 2010) - ShakaUVM
*Ziana's Archer - Ziana
*Undying Ranger - Jay_Ibero_911
*Ranger + Warpriest (the Sticky Striker) - Nifft
*Storm Stormtrooper: MC Fighter/Swordmage, Stormwarden, Eternal Defender - upho
*Eladrin "Arcane Archer" - lordduskblade

Rogue


Han Shot First: A Scoundrel's Guide (June 2012) - RenZhe

Build Handbooks
Dagger 101: In depth analysis of Rogue damage, the Dagger and general build advice (September 2010) - langeweile
The Silent Death - A Handbook to Sniper Rogues (May 2010) - Faytte

Example Builds

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The Most Annoying Rogue Ever - Optimized Halfling Rogue (October 2010) - Philip
Deathbeak Bloodletter - Artful Dodger/Daggermaster/Chosen (July 2010) - Fing Fang Foom

*"The Inevitable" - (Half-Elf Rogue/Bard / Daggermaster / Dark Wanderer Build) - McSmashin
*"Monk" build - Thorvald_Grimbjorn
*Darth Maul- The Non-Dagger Brutal Rogue - Xantos000
*An AOE Rogue (rogue/paladin...black flame zealot?!) - Denouema
*Rogue Crossbow Sniper: Revived (April 2010) - Faytte
*Rogue - Optimized - Favored Enemy
*Artful Drowlock: Rogue/Warlock/Shadow Assassin/Demi - JonnyFortune

Scout


Wherever I May Roam: A Scout's Guide (July 2011) - lordduskblade
Two Weapons and a Field Guide: The Scout's Handbook (April 2011) - undergroundplayer

Example Builds

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Slayer


Kill 'Em All: A Slayer's Guide (July 2011) - lordduskblade

Example Builds

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Sorcerer


The Demiurge Molecule: A Sorcerer's (And Elementalist's) Handbook -DuelistDelSol (April 2012)

Example Builds

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Cool Stormtrooper: Dragonborn Sorcerer/Fighter/Kensei/Demigod - upho A-ling of Doom: Wild Sorcerer/Arcane Wellspring/Harbinger of Doom - JonnyFortune
Archetype series: Halfling Chaos Sorc Daggermaster and a Dragonborn Dragonsoul Heir - anomalousman

Thief


What Is Yours Can Be Mine: A Thief's Handbook (October 2011) - tsuyoshikentsu

Example Builds

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Warlock


Walk With Me in Hell: The Warlock's Guide (January 2012) - DuelistDelSol

Example Builds

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The Defenderlock (November 2010) - AlphatheGreat
The Pariah - the_build_with_a_constant_24_damage_aura (September 2010) - Malkonnen
Let the righteous simite me (August 2010) - Landsknecht73

*Dr. Mindbender, Warlock/Divine Oracle (optimizing the "roll 2x vs. Will") - Zaruthustran
*Hexhammer of the Gods, Warlock/Paragon Multiclassed Cleric - MwaO
*Hexhammer Gish - Nifft
*The Feyknight of Corellon- Warlock/Paladin/Justicar Combo - MeltedCanary
*Mittens the Warlock - McDungeon
(nerfed) Arcane Slasher (June 2010) - AlphatheGreat

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CONTROLLERS

General Discussion


Controlling 101 (December 2009) - alien270


Bladesinger


Masters of Sword and Spell: The Bladesinger's Handbook (November 2011) - AdamClare

Example Builds

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Bladesingers a-go-go: a list of builds (August 2012) - svendj

Druid


Call of the Wild - A Druid Handbook* (January 2012) - alien270
*including Sentinel Druid

Example Builds

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Hunter


Harrying Your Prey, the Easy Way: A Hunter's Handbook (January 2012) - thespaceInvader

Example Builds

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John McLane: A sample Crossbow Hunter build, with some Hunter commentary - Human Hunter/Adroit Explorer/Destined Scion - Auspex7

Invoker


The Art of the Covenant: A Guide to Invokers (November 2011) - Cazzeo
The Whole Duty of Man: A Guide to Invokers (Wiki) (May 2011)

Example Builds

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Cleric Spells for the Wrathful Invoker - iconoplast

Psion


The Mind's Eye: a Psion Handbook - (June 2012) - svendj

Example Builds

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Ms. No (August 2010) hard mob control with multi-target action denial - langeweile
The Doombringer - Tiefling Psion(Bard)/Life Singer/Sage of Ages - Belile
The Mind Trickster - Gnome Psion/Master Summoner/Topaz Crusader - Belile
The Stormbringer - Shardmind Psion/Dreamwalker/Planeshaper - Belile

Seeker


To Strive, To Seek, to Find, and Not to Yield: The Seeker's Handbook (January 2012) WEContact

Example Builds

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The Dominatrix: aka The Ace of Spades - a Seeker Assassin Controller (December 2010) - MC-DrowBane

Wizard


Archmage's Ascension: The Wizard's Handbook (January 2012) - RuinsFate

Example Builds

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Lucid, Star of Mourning: Prince of Hell (September 2010) - MC-DrowBane
Orbizard (December 2009) - lordduskblade

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LEADERS

General Discussion

Indestructible Parties - Ultimate Leaders (August 2010) - saigon
The Art of Leading (September 2009) - mkill


Ardent


Ardent Admiration: An Ardent Handbook (January 2012) - Dedekine

Example Builds

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Sir Slidesalot (May 2010) - Cazzeo
Accurate Ardent (May 2010) - Kryx

Artificer


Potent Potables - The Artificer Manual (January 2012) - Zathris

Example Builds

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Bard


Cruel Lullabies: The Bard Handbook (January 2012) - Litigation

Example Builds

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The Dashing Swashbuckler (January 2011) - Thorvald Grimbjorn
Jerry the God Slaying Ninja Bard (November 2010) - MC-DrowBane
The Tenacious Troubadour (November 2009) - Parshias337

Cleric


Holy Smoke! A Cleric's Handbook Forum (December 2011) - GelatinousOctahedron

Build Handbooks
Exemplars of the Faith: A Cleric Build Handbook (October 2011) - GelatinousOctahedron
Miniguide to Bow Clerics (May 2011) - GelatinousOctahedron
The White Mage - the healic guide (December 2010) - Nausicaa

Example Builds

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Runepriest


That Rune Aimer: A Runepriest's Handbook (June 2013) - rayjeeliwan
Runepriest Wiki & Discussion Thread (December 2011) - MelloRed

Example Builds

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The Runeknight: A Defending Leader - Rich_The_Mad

Sentinel


Call of the Wild - A Druid Handbook (February 2011) - alien270

Example Builds

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Shaman


Spirited Away: A Shaman Handbook (January 2012) - GelatinousOctahedron

Example Builds

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Warlord


The Warlord, Or How to Wield a Barbarian One-Handed (June 2012) - Zelink551

Build Handbooks
Optimising Basic Attacks in your Party (January 2010) - Erudo
Re-roll Optimisation for your Allies (April 2010) - 11235

Example Builds

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Stormbringer (September 2010) - lordduskblade
Genasi Novalord (October 2010) - lordduskblade
Toppling Giants - a Warlord Concept (October 2010) aggressive build to prone mobs for control and leadership - langeweile
A Lazy, Lazy, Clever Commander (Mar 2010) - Adslahnit

Warpriest


Master of My Domain: A Miniguide to Warpriests (March 2012) -GelatinousOctahedron

Example Builds

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[Fialova]

Hybrid and Paragon Multiclass

Miscibility Table: A Hybrid Handbook (December 2011) - Mommy was an Orc
Miscibility Table: Hybrid Builds (November 2011) - Mommy was an Orc

Striker-Striker

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The Lightning Ranger (December 2010) - SongNSilence
Deadly Little Miho - A Godslaying Build (September 2010) - MC-DrowBane
Diligence over Dexterity: Introducing the Eladrin Eldritch Executioner (September 2011) - psk20

Striker-Leader

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Rune of Vengence (Runepriest|Avenger/Hammer of Vengence) (January 2011)
Battery: Circle of Destruction (January 2011) - MC-DrowBane
Master of the Radiant Way - Elf Cleric of PelorCentered Breath Monk Radiant Fist (December 2010) - GelatinousOctahedron

Striker-Defender

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Darth Vader, SwordmageDefenderlock (November 2010) - AlphatheGreat
A Safe Haven: Optimizing Sigil Carver to be an Ultimate Defender (November 2010) - billyh
The Raging Teleporter: Genasi, BarbarianSwordmage, Ghost Blade, Demigod (September 2010) - GelatinousOctahedron
Crimson Legion Champion: Hybrid PaladinWarlock, Questing_Knight, Legendary Sovereign (August 2010) - dkay807

Striker-Controller

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Kevin Costner, Prince of Thieves: How i intend to steal the Wand of Orcus (September 2010) - MC-DrowBane
Harry Callahan: a Seeker|Ranger Controller, OR How to Play a Hunter with Dailies (January 2011) - WEContact
The Distant Cousin - Avenger|Seeker/Son of Mercy (May 2010) - ShakaUVM

Leader-Leader

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Painless: The Damage Reducer. Dwarf, ClericShaman, Compassionate Healer, Demigod (June 2010) - GelatinousOctahedron

Leader-Defender

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White Raven Crusader (paladin|warlord) (July 2010) - Litigation
Luke Skywalker Swordmage-Warlord (November 2012) - Windgate

Leader-Controller

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Violent Pacifist: Githzerai, ClericWizard, Zealous Demagogue, Archmage (September 2010) - GelatinousOctahedron
Mike's Netizard (wizard|cleric) - mdonais
Stunning Thunder-glaive Immo-bola-zer (wizard|cleric) - Valenkosh

Defender-Defender

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The Inescapeable Fisherman 2.0 (December 2010) - SongNSilence
Ioun Grey Stone Marker: Half-Elf Tank 3.0 Catch-22 (October 2010) - Mommy_was_an_Orc
The Man of Steel: a tough but flexible Defender (September 2010) - BaronSengir
Slammin Sammy - A defender build (Ftr|SM) (May 2010) - Dielzen

Defender-Controller

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Sir Marks-a-lot: The Penalty-to-hit Imposition Machine (fighter pmc wizard) - Valenkosh,
Swordburst Maximus (ultimate catch-22 build) (swordmage|wizard) - mellored

Controller-Controller

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[Fialova]

RACES

(alphabetical by race name)

Heart of the Dragon: A Dragonborn's Handbook (January 2011)- Lord_Ventnor
Hammer and Stone 2.0: A Dwarf Handbook (September 2010) - DSCrankshaw
Crivens! A Pictsie's Guide (April 2012) - Mellored
The Ghost with the Most - Revenant Handbook (February 2011) - mellored
Infernal Wrath: A Tiefling's Handbook (November 2010) - Lord_Ventnor
Strength of Steel: A Warforged Handbook (February 2011) - Maevok