4th Edition D&D Fighter Paragon Paths

During the early levels of a 4^th edition Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) character, the character's abilities are limited to those choices available from the initial class selection. When the character reaches 11^th level, the character chooses a paragon path that focuses the abilities and skills of the character and more strongly defines the unique attributes of the character. Each class has access to roughly a dozen paragon paths and can alternately choose paragon paths belonging to other classes through the use of the multi-classing mechanic. Described and rated below are the fighter paragon paths from the Player's Handbook (PHB) and Martial Power (MP).

Iron Vanguard (PHB) - Due to its heavy use of the constitution score, Iron Vanguard is best for axe or hammer wielding fighters. It provides a solid balance of offense and defense for any fighter with a constitution score of at least 18. Wardens are also likely to get very good benefit from this paragon path. Rating: B+

Kensei (PHB) - The Kensei paragon path is primarily offensively focused. The path has a major flaw. If a Kensei uses more than one weapon, most of the features of the path are lost temporarily. A Kensei is best served with a weapon that can be thrown. For the bonus to hit, barbarians are most likely to get good benefit from this paragon path. Rating: B

Pit Fighter (PHB) - This paragon path is truly excellent for any fighter with a high wisdom, which will commonly be polearm fighters. The path provides bonuses to both offense and defense. In addition, this is one of the best paragon paths for wisdom secondary rangers. Rating: A

Swordmaster (PHB) - Due to the multiple abilities in this path to regain used powers, there is almost no better paragon path for fighters that wield a light blade or heavy blade. Only tempest fighters gain minimal benefit from this paragon path. This is also a great paragon path choice for any strength based class using the appropriate weapon. Rating: A+

Avenging Slayer (MP) - This path is very offense oriented and focuses on rattling attacks. Unfortunately, to best take advantage of it, a fighter needs good strength and charisma, which is otherwise worthless for most fighters. Some paladins may be able to get good benefit from this path, but most fighters should avoid it. Rating: D+

Dreadnought (MP) - This is one of the most defensive paragon paths available. Most fighters can get good benefit from it, though hammer or axe fighters will get the best benefit. Also, due to the ability to automatically succeed on saving throws at the cost of damage, this is a spectacular warden paragon path. Rating: A

Dread Reaper (MP) - This paragon path is only useful for fighters using two handed weapons and best for fighters with axes or hammers. Many of the powers and abilities are incredibly situational, making the path very effective at times and nearly worthless at other times. There will almost always be a better choice available. Rating: C-

Dwarven Defender (MP) - Only dwarves may choose this incredibly defensive paragon path. The powers synergize well with dwarven preferred weapons and the path is most effective if there are multiple melee oriented party members. Dwarves with high strength from just about any class will do well with this paragon path. Rating: B

Halfling Bounder (MP) - The features and abilities of this halfling only paragon path overlap a little too much with fighter class features. A halfling warden, brutal scoundrel rogue, or barbarian may be slightly better served by this path, but generally it is a poor choice. Rating: D

Inner Dragon (MP) - This is a rather offensive paragon path that only dragonborn can choose. The benefits are somewhat situational, but not too difficult for a character to orchestrate. Barbarians especially may find good use out the large amount of potential extra damage from this path. Rating: B-

Knight Protector (MP) - This paragon path has one truly excellent feature and then a lot of suboptimal features and powers. The ability to conceivably negate an attack on an ally completely may be strong enough to choose this paragon path. This only really works if the party contains multiple melee oriented characters. This benefit may actually be better for a warden than a fighter. Rating: C-

Polearm Master (MP) - This paragon path negates one of the major limitations of fighters: the inability to enforce a mark at reach. In addition the path provides threatening reach once per day. Both features are excellent for a polearm using fighter and are reasonably solid for a polearm using warden or paladin. Rating: A-

Ravager (MP) - This paragon path is purely offensive in nature, actually sacrificing defense for offense. This is a reasonable choice for two handed fighters that are also trying to fill a striker roll, and is one of the best choices for multi-classed barbarians. Rating: B+

Shield Adept (MP) - This paragon path has primarily defensive powers and abilities, though does mix in a limited amount of offense as well. The path has only a single bad ability and the rest of the abilities range from good to excellent, culminating in an attack that dazes and weakens without an attack roll. Due to many leader-like abilities, warlords may do well with this class. Rating: B

Shock Trooper (MP) - Due to the off-hand weapon oriented class features and the powers that require two weapons to be wielded, this path is clearly designed for tempest fighters. For most tempest fighters this is by far the best choice, providing an excellent offensive boost. Rating: A

Tiefling Warfiend (MP) - Tieflings already make pretty terrible fighters and this paragon path does little to change that. The primary features of the path rely on constitution, which is not an attribute tieflings specialize in. Simply mediocre for tiefling fighters, this path is just awful for any other class. Rating: F