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FireLance FireLance is offline

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  1. Silvarion
    8th January 2009 05:35 PM - permalink
    Silvarion
    So is it ok if I take the Longtooth Shifter for my fighter race?
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    16th October 2008 10:46 PM - permalink
    Milambus
    Care to share the Warlord build you used in the Orcus fight for the "Help with math" thread?

    Thanks.

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Posted 2nd November 2009 at 03:38 PM by FireLance Comments 0
Posted in Gaming
The discussion in the thread on neutered wizards has wandered round to the issue of the "I win" button, why it was (effectively) removed in 4E, and whether or not it is a good thing.

On my part, I can see why the "I win" button is such an attractive concept. Having just the right spell to overcome any problem is one of the key tropes of the wizard, a class that many role-players identify with closely, and it also underscores the limitless possibilities of mind and knowledge.

However, in the context of a group game, the "I win" button has a couple of drawbacks:
1. Overshadowing Other Characters: While the effects of this can be minimized through player co-ordination (the wizard simply does not select spells which duplicate the capabilities of the other characters), the temptation to have a "backup" or a "safety net" (just in case the other character fails) is always present. And when that happens, it's about the closest that a fellow PC can get to being that DMPC who steps in to save the day when the PCs fail.

2. Circumventing the Game's Challenges: Whether it's a fight that ends suddenly because the BBEG rolled a 1 on his saving throw against a death spell, or a utility spell that cuts short what should have been a multi-stage challenge, the "I win" button can sometimes deliver what seems to be a quick and easy victory to the party. It's great for the players (in fact, some types of players live for moments like these) but some DMs find it annoying, especially if they have put a lot of work into preparing the encounter.
Previous editions worked round the above problems mainly by limiting the frequency of the "I win" button through a variety of means: random allocation of spells so that the wizard might not have all the spells he wants; spell preparation, which requires the wizard the guess what spells he will need; additional costs in terms of gold, XP, ability scores, age, etc.; or simple unreliability (e.g. random effects, saving throws, spell resistance, immunity, etc.) so that the spell does not always work, and so on. The problems still occured from time to time, but hopefully not often enough that anyone got too annoyed.

I wonder whether it would be possible to re-introduce the "I win" button, but in a way that would avoid the two problems mentioned earlier. For example:
1. "We Win": The idea here is that a spell might make the wizard good, but it makes another character better. It is not a new idea - even in 3E, there were some suggestions that knock should give a bonus to Open Lock checks, while invisibility should give a bonus to Hide checks. So, even though a wizard could cast these spells to open locks and sneak around if there was no rogue in the party, he would be better off if there was a rogue, and he used them to improve the rogue's ability instead.

2. The Narrative Win: Here, the "I win" button becomes a plot point, not a challenge. The wizard can, with a single spell, kill the BBEG in one round. However, before he can do that, he need to find the BBEG's true name. And he needs to find a rare component to power the spell. And he needs to fight through the BBEG's minions and henchmen before he can get close enough to kill him. And the party doesn't get any XP for killing the BBEG, except maybe XP for completing a quest. The lower the risk, the lower the reward, and in any case, they should have earned enough XP in the process of fulfilling all the conditions for casting the "I win" spell.
What do you think? Would you want the "I win" button in your game? If so, which approach would you favor?

Discuss this issue on the forums here.
Posted 2nd October 2009 at 02:08 PM by FireLance Comments 0
Posted in Gaming
Every once in a while, something I read on ENWorld sparks off a really cool neat idea. But first, a quote from Terry Pratchett which was also running through my mind at the time:
"Obviously, he reasoned, if sticking screws up your nose was madness, then numbering them and keeping them in careful compartments was sanity, which was the opposite-
Ah. No. It wasn't, was it ... ?"
- Terry Pratchett, Thief of Time
I think the re-introduction of modrons could tie in nicely with the implied setting's plotline element of the increasing encroachment of the Far Realm into the material world and the subsequent rise of psionics and the appearance of the wilden (further detailed in PH3).
In a remote corner of the Astral Sea, a strange, metallic ball appears, apparently out of nowhere. It lies motionless for a while, but suddenly, with a soft "snick", a panel slides open, revealing a single, large eye.

For a few moments, the eye stares blankly ahead. Then slowly, it looks around, and sees nothing but emptiness around it. It blinks, once, and with a faint whirring sound, the ball extends arms and legs, feet and hands.

Cautiously at first, but with rapidly growing confidence, the creature moves its limbs, flexes its joints. Then, apparently satisfied, the creature stands still. It holds up its empty left hand and a lump of metallic substance appears on it. It holds up its empty right hand and a strange tool materializes there. With precise, regular movements, it begins building another creature like itself.
Some sages speculate that just as the wilden were the natural world's response to the Far Realm's gradually growing incursion, the modrons were similarly birthed by the Astral Sea.

Although no god has claimed responsibility for their creation, some argue that their apparently mechanical nature suggests that they are creatures of Moradin. Others believe that their highly regimented and ordered society points to Erathis or even Bane. A more chilling line of speculation is that they were birthed not to counter the Far Realm, but because the growing influence of the Far Realm is slowly driving one or more of the gods insane. Those who believe this fear that the single-minded obsession displayed by the modrons in their battles against creatures of chaos and madness is a form of madness in itself...
Posted 7th September 2009 at 05:20 PM by FireLance Comments 0
Posted in 4e , Gaming
So after some months of work, I've finally released my first product, a pdf of 18 at-will powers with miss effects called Missing in Action.

Here's what the cover looks like:
[Image]

If you'd like to preview it and maybe buy it (please? ) click here.
Posted 30th August 2009 at 04:32 PM by FireLance Comments 0
Posted in 4e , Paladin , The Paladin Guide
My thoughts on the paladin 1st-level encounter attack powers.

Dazzling Flare (Divine Power)
• Charisma attack
• Implement power
• Ranged (short)
• Radiant damage
• Debuff (attack)

Dazzling flare is one of the few ranged encounter powers available to a paladin. As an attack roll debuff, it is numerically less effective than the equal-level fearsome smite for a paladin with a 16 or higher Wisdom, but it also affects enemies immune to fear. A paladin who wants to focus on ranged or implement attacks could find it a good choice.
Divine Pursuit (Divine Power)
• Strength attack
• Wisdom secondary
• Weapon power
• Weapon vs. non-AC defense (Fortitude)
• Forced movement (push)
• Mobility (self)

Divine pursuit is nearly always superior to the higher-level staggering smite, unless the target has a Fortitude defense higher than AC. It is also likely to be more accurate since it is a weapon power that targets a non-AC defense, even though Fortitude tends to be the highest of the non-AC defenses. A paladin who values accuracy, mobility, or the ability to control his opponents' position could find it a good choice.
Fearsome Smite (Player's Handbook)
• Charisma attack
• Wisdom secondary
• Weapon power
• Fear effect
• Debuff (attack)

Fearsome smite is a defensive power similar to the equal-level dazzling flare, guardian light and shielding smite in that it reduces the chance that an enemy's attack will hit. It is most effective at defending against a single enemy as it imposes a penalty on all of its attacks, regardless of the defense targeted or the party member attacked, provided the enemy is not immune to fear. A paladin who wants to focus on interfering with a single target or who has a bonus to fear attacks could find it a good choice.
Guardian Light (Divine Power)
• Strength or Charisma attack
• Wisdom secondary
• Weapon power
• Radiant damage
• Defense bonus (non-AC, self)

In a way, guardian light is one of the least selfless paladin powers as it provides a bonus to the non-AC defenses of the paladin instead of his allies. Perhaps because of this thematic dissonance, it deals less damage than other paladin encounter powers of the same level. Although it does not directly defend the paladin's allies, it can be used to good effect in conjunction with a power that marks multiple opponents such as the 2nd-level utility power call of challenge. A paladin who is less concerned about offense and wants to boost his non-AC defenses could find it a good choice.
Heedless Fury (Divine Power)
• Strength attack
• Weapon power
• Sacrifice (all defenses)

Heedless fury can be considered the diametric opposite of the equal-level guardian light as it lowers the paladin's defenses but deals more damage than most other equal-level paladin encounter powers. This contributes to the paladin's ability to act as a defender and draw attacks from enemies by simultaneously causing him to appear as a serious threat and making him a more attractive target. Paladins who use highly damaging weapons get the most benefit from this power and could find it a good choice.
Piercing Smite (Player's Handbook)
• Strength attack
• Wisdom secondary
• Weapon power
• Weapon vs. non-AC defense (Reflex)
• Mark (multi-target, basic)

Piercing smite is one of the most accurate of the equal-level paladin encounter powers as it is a weapon power that targets a non-AC defense. It also enhances the paladin's ability to defend his allies by allowing him to mark multiple adjacent enemies, albeit only with a basic mark. A paladin who values accuracy or the ability to mark multiple opponents could find it a good choice.
Radiant Smite (Player's Handbook)
• Strength attack
• Wisdom secondary
• Weapon power
• Radiant damage

Radiant smite deals more damage than most other equal-level paladin encounter powers. Paladins who have a high Wisdom or who use less damaging weapons may find it superior to the equal-level high-damage paladin encounter power, heedless fury. A paladin who wants to focus on radiant damage or who is primarily focused on defense but still wants a damaging attack could find it a good choice.
Shielding Smite (Player's Handbook)
• Charisma attack
• Wisdom secondary
• Weapon power
• Defense bonus (AC, ally)

Shielding smite is the most reliable of the equal-level defensive paladin encounter powers in that it provides a boost to an ally's AC as an effect; the paladin does not need to hit with the power first. A paladin who wants to focus on protecting a single ally could find it a good choice.
Valorous Smite (Divine Power)
• Charisma attack
• Weapon power
• Mark (multi-target, divine sanction)

Valorous smite is another power that allows the paladin to mark multiple enemies. In comparison to the equal-level piercing smite, it is less accurate, but it can potentially affect more enemies and it imposes a better mark. A paladin who is focused on marking multiple opponents could find it a good choice.
Posted 9th August 2009 at 03:50 PM by FireLance Comments 0
Posted in 4e , Paladin , The Paladin Guide
My thoughts on the paladin 1st-level at-will attack powers.

Ardent Strike (Divine Power)
• Strength or Charisma attack
• Weapon power
• Mark (divine sanction)
• Melee basic attack (when charging)

While in theory, the combination of divine challenge and ardent strike will allow a paladin to mark two enemies simultaneously, it may not always be feasible to do so in practice, as he will need to hit one enemy with ardent strike and end his turn adjacent to the target of his divine challenge. Still, a paladin who wants to really focus on his defender role might select this power. The ability to use this power in place of a melee basic attack when charging is a bonus, but a Charisma-focused paladin who takes it for this reason may be better off with virtuous strike instead.

Domains
• Darkness: Defense bonus (self)
• Destruction: Damage bonus (self)
• Strife: Damage bonus (self)
• Torment: Attack bonus (ally)

The domains associated with ardent strike are somewhat dark in flavor, perhaps due to the default flavor text of making the target "the focus of your god's anger". The Destruction and Strife domains fit fairly well with this thematically as they grant damage bonuses under certain circumstances (IMO, the Strife domain power may be a little too good when facing large numbers of opponents), as does the Torment domain, which causes the target to grant combat advantage to an ally, presumably from the pain caused by the attack. The Darkness domain seems an odd fit both with the theme and with the mechanical effect of the power as it grants the paladin concealment, which actually offsets part of his marked target's incentive to attack him.
Bolstering Strike (Player's Handbook)
• Charisma attack
• Wisdom secondary
• Weapon power
• Temporary hit points (self)

As a defender, a paladin is likely to get targeted by attacks and take damage fairly often. Hence, the steady stream of temporary hit points provided by bolstering strike can significantly increase his durability. Since temporary hit points don't stack, the power becomes less useful if the paladin has access to another source of temporary hit points, e.g. the 2nd-level utility power vigor.

Domains
• Change: Attack bonus (self)
• Creation: Defense bonus (AC, self/ally)
• Earth: Condition (slowed)
• Life: Temporary hit points (ally)
• War: Attack bonus (self)

The Life domain is probably the closest fit with the mechanics and flavor of bolstering strike as it basically extends the benefit of the power to an ally. However, most of the other domains associated with it are compatible with the theme of enhancement. The War and Change domains grant a bonus to attack under certain circumstances, and the Creation domain grants an AC bonus to the paladin or an ally. The Earth domain fits the least well with the theme of the power as it slows the target.
Challenging Strike (PH Heroes: Series 1)
• Strength attack
• Weapon power
• Weapon vs. Non-AC defense (Will, while bloodied)
• Mark (basic)

Challenging strike allows a paladin to mark two creatures at once, but as previously discussed (see ardent strike), it is not always feasible to do so. Its accuracy also increases when the paladin is bloodied, but this can be a risky tactic as the paladin marks the target if he hits. In addition, it provides mechanical support for the concept of a paladin who fights harder after he is seriously injured.

Domains
Challenging strike is not associated with any domains. However, the Life and Justice domains (see valiant strike and virtuous strike respectively) can be linked with the theme of turning the tide, and the Destruction, War and Sea domains (see ardent strike, bolstering strike and virtuous strike respectively) have mechanical effects that relate to that idea.
Enfeebling Strike (Player's Handbook)
• Charisma attack
• Weapon power
• Debuff (attack)

Enfeebling strike fits very well with the defender's role as it reduces the target's attack bonus. When combined with the paladin's mark, it can make it difficult for the target to hit the paladin's allies.

Domains
• Death: Damage bonus (self)
• Madness: Debuff (attack)
• Moon: Debuff (AC)
• Poison: Poison damage, damage bonus (self)
• Trickery: Mobility (self/ally)
• Tyranny: Debuff (saving throw)
• Undeath: Necrotic damage, damage bonus (self)
• Winter: Cold damage, damage bonus (self)

Many of the domains associated with enfeebling strike have sinister connotations, in line with the power's weakening effect. Mechanically, most of them either grant damage bonuses or inflict further penalties on the target. The Death domain grants damage bonuses under certain circumstances, and the Poison, Undeath and Winter domains do so in addition to changing the damage type of the power. The Madness and Moon domains inflict a further penalty to attack rolls and a penalty to AC respectively, and the Tyranny domain imposes a penalty on the target's saving throws. The Trickery domain may have the weakest thematic link to enfeebling strike as it allows the paladin or an ally to shift.
Forbidding Strike (PH Heroes: Series 2)
• Strength attack
• Weapon power
• Shield requirement
• Resist (all, ally)

Forbidding strike defends an ally by granting him resistance to all damage. This power is suited to a paladin that is focused mostly on defense since the requirement that he use a shield means that he cannot wield the more damaging two-handed weapons, and the power's damage does not increase at the epic tier.

Domains
Forbidding strike is not associated with any domains. However, the Life, Protection and Love domains (see bolstering strike, valiant strike and virtuous strike respectively) are in line with the theme of defending an ally, and the Creation and Freedom domains (see bolstering strike and holy strike respectively) have mechanical effects that also grant defensive bonuses.
Holy Strike (Player's Handbook)
• Strength attack
• Wisdom secondary
• Weapon power
• Radiant damage
• Damage bonus (self)

Holy strike deals the most direct damage of the at-will paladin powers. It also deals radiant damage, so Strength-focused paladins who want to deal more damage or who want to be especially effective against undead might select this power.

Domains
• Fate: Attack bonus (self)
• Freedom: Saving throw bonus (self/ally)
• Luck: Critical range increase (self)
• Strength: Damage bonus (self)
• Vengeance: Action consequence (damage)

The domains associated with holy strike are a mixed bag. The Strength domain probably has the strongest thematic link to the power as it provides an additional damage bonus. Similarly, the Vengeance domain effectively provides a damage bonus since most of the time, an enemy will attack on his turn. However, flavor-wise, it does not seem to relate strongly to the power. The Fate and Luck domains both increase the power's effectiveness in combat, with a situational attack bonus and an increase to the critical range respectively. The Freedom domain seems somewhat out of place both mechanically and thematically, as it grants the paladin or an ally a saving throw bonus.
Valiant Strike (Player's Handbook)
• Strength attack
• Weapon power
• Attack bonus (self)

Valiant strike is more accurate than most of the other at-will paladin powers. It also provides mechanical support for the concept of a paladin who fights harder the more he is outnumbered.

Domains
• Civilization: Damage bonus (self)
• Hope: Attack bonus (ally)
• Protection: Defense bonus (all, ally)
• Skill: Melee basic attack
• Storm: Thunder damage, damage bonus (self)
• Wilderness: Mobility (you and adjacent allies)

Some of the domains associated with valiant strike evoke the image of the paladin inspiring his allies or himself when he fights multiple opponents, even though he does not need to be outnumbered to enjoy the benefits. The Hope domain and the Protection domain grant an ally a bonus to his attack roll and defenses respectively, while the Civilization domain grants the paladin a damage bonus. The Skill domain, which allows the power to be used as a melee basic attack, is likely associated with it because it grants an attack bonus. The power has less obvious ties with the Storm domain, which changes the damage type of the power and grants damage bonuses, and the Wilderness domain, which allows the paladin and adjacent allies to ignore difficult terrain.
Virtuous Strike (Divine Power)
• Charisma attack
• Weapon power
• Radiant damage
• Saving throw bonus (self)
• Melee basic attack

While the saving throw bonus granted by virtuous strike is a nice benefit, the key advantages of this power for Charisma-focused paladins are that it deals radiant damage, which is particularly effective against undead, and that it can be used as a melee basic attack, which can help offset his potential weakness in this area.

Domains
• Arcana: Attack bonus (self)
• Justice: Attack bonus (allies)
• Knowledge: Defense bonus (all, self)
• Love: Temporary hit points (allies)
• Sea: Extra save (self)/Debuff (saving throw)
• Sun: Vulnerability (radiant)

Apart from being a radiant power that grants the paladin a bonus to his saving throws, the flavor of virtuous strike is not very well-defined. Hence, it is unsurprising that many of the domains associated with the power seem to have very different themes. The Sun domain, which makes the target vulnerable to radiant damage, ties in with the power's mechanical effect, as does the Sea domain, which allows the paladin to either make a saving throw or impose a penalty to the target's saving throws. The Knowledge domain, which grants the paladin a bonus to defenses, and the Arcana domain, which grants a bonus to his attack rolls with arcane powers, can be broadly linked to the power's default flavor text of filling the paladin with resolve. Similarly, the Love domain, which grants temporary hit points to one or two allies, and the Justice domain, which grants bloodied allies a bonus to attack rolls, can be flavored as doing the same for allies.
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93 point(s) total     Latest Experience Points Received
  Thread Date Comment
Things that WOW didn't... 4th November 2009 05:51 PM Excellent point.
attacking without... 12th October 2009 04:41 PM Well stated!
Bring Back Modrons 2nd October 2009 12:24 PM
Should spellcasters... 2nd October 2009 10:01 AM Good idea for a thread. Thanks for posting.
new preview DMG2 19th August 2009 02:13 PM Dude, that Clerks comment is gold!
Darkness and the Black... 13th August 2009 10:21 PM Awesome idea!
Darkness and the Black... 13th August 2009 11:06 AM Totally agree with your summation of the black dragon's difficulty
So, you're going to the... 12th August 2009 06:38 AM funny
Is "Old School"... 11th August 2009 11:28 AM You were way faster than me. Dang!
Achieving Balance 6th August 2009 07:04 PM Genius!


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