Old School Holy Avenger in 4e?

Question

I have a vague memory from the old D&D days that a Holy Avenger sword was a lot more powerful than the version in 4e (or many of the AD&D versions for that matter)

Is there a 4e mechanic that allows for the Old-School Holy Avenger in the hands of a Paladin:

• +5 to attack
• 100% resistance to magic (personal only)
• acts as a Flaming Sword (but radiant rather than fire damage, considering)

Answer 1

Nothing is going to give you resistance to magic in 4e; it doesn't even have the concept. There is a radiant weapon enhancement that allows you to convert all the damage you do with the weapon to radiant damage, as well as adding an additional item bonus to damage whenever you do radiant damage, which would be pretty close to the rest of what you're looking for.

From Adventurer's Vault:

Radiant Weapon

lvl 15 +3, lvl 20 +4, lvl 25 +5, lvl 30 +6

Weapon: Any | Enhancement: Attack rolls & damage rolls

Critical +1d6 radiant damage per plus

Property: When this weapon is used to deal radiant damage, add its enhancement bonus as an item bonus to damage rolls

Power(At-Will, Radiant): Free Action. All damage dealt by this weapon is radiant damage. Another free action returns the damage to normal.

Answer 2

They actually do have the Holy Avenger (albeit differently) in 4e!

Holy Avenger Level 25+ Rare

The most prized weapon of any paladin.

Lvl 25 +5 625,000 gp Lvl 30 +6 3,125,000 gp

Weapon: Axe, hammer or heavy blade

Enhancement Bonus: attack rolls and damage rolls

Critical: +1d6 radiant damage per plus, and you can spend a healing surge

Special: A holy avenger can be used as a holy symbol. It adds its enhancement bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls and the extra damage granted by its property (if applicable) when used in this manner. You do not gain your weapon proficiency bonus to an attack roll when using a holy avenger as an implement. Property

Your radiant powers deal 1d10 extra radiant damage when used through the weapon. Power Daily (Minor Action)

You and each ally within 10 squares of you gain a +5 power bonus to fortitude, Reflex, and Will until the end of your next turn.

I'd also suggest Vigilant Blade for the holy concentrated weapon feel with more damage focus available at a lower level.

Vigilant Blade Level 4+ Uncommon

Set with the symbol of an upright gauntlet with an unblinking eye in its palm, this blade bursts into burning white light in the hands of one sworn to bring justice to the wicked.

Lvl 4 +1 840 gp Lvl 19 +4 105,000 gp Lvl 9 +2 4,200 gp Lvl 24 +5 525,000 gp Lvl 14 +3 21,000 gp Lvl 29 +6 2,625,000 gp

Weapon: Heavy blade or light blade

Enhancement Bonus: attack rolls and damage rolls

Critical: +1d8 fire and radiant damage per plus Property

Paladins and avengers can use this weapon as an implement for paladin or avenger powers and paladin or avenger paragon path powers.

Power (Minor Action)

The weapon casts bright light out to 4 squares until you end this effect as a minor action.

Power Encounter (Immediate Reaction)

Trigger: You use this power when an ally adjacent to you is attacked by an enemy adjacent to you.

Effect: You switch places with the ally, and the target grants combat advantage to you until the end of your next turn.

Answer 3

The closest mechanical equivalent to what you describe is the Chill Wind Weapon. Modify it as follows to create something close to the oldschool magic-proof Holy Avenger:

HOLY AVENGER
Lvl 25 +5 625,000 gp

Weapon: Heavy blade
Enhancement bonus: attack rolls and damage rolls
Critical: +1d6 fire damage per plus and ongoing 20 radiant damage (save ends)

Property
You gain resist 30 arcane.

Power (Radiant) ♦ (Free Action)
All damage dealt by this weapon is radiant damage. Another free action returns the damage to normal.

Answer 4

The radiant weapon mentioned in Oblivious Sage's answer is a great start. I would use that and make the following changes:

• Make it deal fire and radiant damage (since it's holy fire that burns evil).
• The damage resistance is best converted like this:

Power(Encounter): Free action. You gain resist 10(paragon)/15(epic) all until the end of your next turn.

Alternatively, if you want an always-on DR effect, you could use this:

Property: This weapon grants a paladin that wields it resist all equal to the weapon's enhancement bonus.