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[justanobody]

Originally Posted by Bagpuss

My theory isn't you need the power to do an action. Just that the power system and encounter/daily mechanic better represents the genre (and even reality) than having every martial ability at-will like it was in earlier editions.

I don't see how the powers represent reality in any way. You just have more things told how to do it, rather than figuring it out on your own, and then left to wonder what when you want to do something there is no power for.

Wizards of the Coast: Let’s take a step back into general 4th Edition design philosophy… what can you tell us about the rationale for “power sources”—why were they created, what did you hope to accomplish with them, and how is the “martial” power source best defined?

Rob Heinsoo: Power sources are a way of describing the magical rules and flavor of our world while grouping classes who share some fundamental aspect of their approach to their power. The D&D world already contained the notion that some characters used arcane magic while others used divine magic; we just extended that notion to cover all our characters and to organize our class creation as the game develops over the years.

Power sources give everyone magical abilities across the classes. That doesn't represent reality, or the genre. Power sources are where the powers are derived from, so the concept that a fighter is using some innate magic ability to perform these power is the furthest thing I want from a fighter to be doing. There is no option within the powers system to allow for a fighter, or any other class that doesn't use magic unless they just forsake taking any powers, and then you would have people griping they are "not effective in combat".

At least with your description as martial ability being considered "at-will", which I despise since you are associating some new keyword to something to retcon it to fit, those abilities of the fighter were more natural and fitting to the genre.

Now everyone is tossing magic around with their powers.

That is why I say that funny power doesn't fit. Wrong genre. The genre was changed in order to suit the new edition.

I am sure I read before someone mention in their gripes that all classes were getting spells, and I agree that that is what powers are, and Rob seems to imply so as well.

So it may fit the newly created genre for D&D, but in no way does everyone slinging magic spells around work with reality.

I still prefer a dynamic where you are only limited by your HP and imagination to try things like Stone to Mud.

Sure it wasn't meant to kill people...or was it?

Powers are just something very out of place. They look flashy, but work poorly.