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Blinding Barrage: interpretation vs literal reading
I have two issue with this power, that also have a more general relevance.
1) A magic thrown weapon returns to the wielder hand after a ranged attack. BB is, however a close blast. We already had some discussion about this issue in the past: a literal reading of the rules, says that a magic weapon employed with this weapon doesn't return to the attacker. This makes this power a rather poor choice as soon as the rogue has some kind of magic weapon.
2) Since BB is a close blast, it ignores concealment. However, with this power you actually need one projectile or weapon per enemy targeted, and it only attacks enemies. It's not like the blast area is saturated by the attack, like with a breath weapon. It would seem more logical to apply concealment penalties.
14. I am using a magical thrown weapon as part of an area of effect power. If I am attacking multiple enemies within that area, do I need multiple weapons, or will one suffice?
One is enough in this case. Magical thrown weapons return to you after each attack, so you’ll be able to use it against each enemy as part of using your power.
2) You can apply concealment penalties if you like but why do you want to weaken all martial powers that are close or area attacks because by your logic they should all have that penalty?
I wouldn't do it. And by RAW there is no penalty as well.
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Any magic light thrown or heavy thrown weapon, from the lowly +1 shuriken to a +6 perfect hunter’s spear, automatically returns to its wielder’s hand after a ranged attack with the weapon is resolved.
So the FAQ answer is essentially clarifying that when they said "ranged attack" in the text in the PHB, they meant all attacks made at range whether they have the Close, Area, or Ranged keyword.
I wonder if you could use that answer as a precedent to allow the Iron Armbands damage bonus to apply to all attacks made with a melee weapon, whether with the Close or Melee keywords. The same would apply to feats like Hammer Rhythm. Very interesting.
So the FAQ answer is essentially clarifying that when they said "ranged attack" in the text in the PHB, they meant all attacks made at range whether they have the Close, Area, or Ranged keyword.
I'm aware of that FAQ answer; however it isn't a clarification, but a change in the rules: the PHB lists only ranged attacks and a close blast most certainly isn't one.
I'm aware of that FAQ answer; however it isn't a clarification, but a change in the rules: the PHB lists only ranged attacks and a close blast most certainly isn't one.
And do you have a problem with that update or is your question 1 (Q1) solved?
If not I suggest you post in the house rules board because the rules board is done with Q1.
__________________ The Death is my steady companion.
I'll make him your last!
Here I come - Prepare yourself! =Irios=
If you're not satisfied with your char - ask for help!
"If you’re using a projectile weapon to make a close attack, you need one piece of ammunition for each target, and if you’re using thrown weapons, you
need one for each target."
That is with mundane equipment.. magic just comes back..
I'm aware of that FAQ answer; however it isn't a clarification, but a change in the rules: the PHB lists only ranged attacks and a close blast most certainly isn't one.
And? They're not allowed to change the rules? It's not as if this is coming from a CSR. And it's also not like it's the first time they've done that.
Oh wait, maybe it was the first time. But it's not the ONLY time!
For example:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Mearls & Chris Sims
For the blood mage paragon path, how often can you damage an opponent using the Bolstering Blood feature?
You can damage an opponent once per turn and once per power.
I'd say that's far more significant of a "clarification."
And yet, I bet that was always the way it was intended to be read
I don't doubt that it is RAI. I've been playing my rogue that way since day one since none of us noticed the specific wording in the magic item section.
What it seems like the original poster has an issue with (as do I, for that matter) is that we don't know when the designers intend for a word like "ranged" or "melee" to be used in a generic fashion or when they are referring to specific keywords. They should probably italicize text for when it's supposed to be a keyword, then it's clear.
A weapon that can be used at range is just flat out better than one that can't.
Sure... so that might explain a comparison between a bow and a sword. Now compare a thrown weapon and a bow... why use a shuriken if it's worse in every way, damage, range, and doesn't return?
Sure... so that might explain a comparison between a bow and a sword. Now compare a thrown weapon and a bow... why use a shuriken if it's worse in every way, damage, range, and doesn't return?
I'd always use a bow with returning arrows over a shuriken that doesn't return.
Actually, going by history, bow beats shuriken about a zillion to one, and theirs didn't return. Maybe because... bows are better?
Whats next, a complaint that spoons aren't shown equal representation on the battlefield, so they should be given magical powers to make them on par with polearms?
*shrug* You're directly reducing the power and capability of the rogue class, and having some minor impact on some other classes like the fighter and warlord. You don't _have_ to make it Xena to allow it to work.
After all, Returning weapons have been in D&D for many, many years. I'm not sure of the first time but I think we're talking a couple decades, preceding Xena's cinematographic existence.
I follow the spirit of it (i.e. thrown magic weapons can be used for blinding barrage as effectively as magic crossbows)
Exactly. It's partly to balance a thrown weapon build and allow this kind of power to be effectively used on an equal footing for both.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Saeviomagy
Fundamentally:
A thrown weapon user would be significantly penalized if he needed to buy multiple thrown weapons in order to use such an attack.
That's bad for the game.
So why would you want to interpret the rules to mean that in the first place?
The dnd realist... can suspend disbelief as to flying monsters, walking undead, instantly removing grievous wounds, invisibility, teleportation,
massive discharges of lightning, thunder, fire and cold but a weapon that repeatedly returns to the hand of the thrower... improbable to say the least...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Regicide
I'd always use a bow with returning arrows over a shuriken that doesn't return.
Actually, going by history, bow beats shuriken about a zillion to one, and theirs didn't return. Maybe because... bows are better?
Whats next, a complaint that spoons aren't shown equal representation on the battlefield, so they should be given magical powers to make them on par with polearms?
Actually, bows are better. They do more damage and have a greater range. We won't talk too much about the relative rate of fire of a shuriken wielding ninja vs an archer or how that's been modified to preserve play balance and simplify the game.
It's a game. The reasons for some of the rules are directly attributable to play balance with realism taking a back seat when the two collide.
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