D&D (2024) How is Flex still a thing?

[Horwath]

2d6 is 2Handed danage, not d10

Flex is not just an increase in damage. It’s being able to get the damage of a two-handed weapon while also getting the benefits of a shield or dual wielding.

 

[Chaosmancer]

but isn't their point that you're not always going to be in a situation where a mastery is applicable, (correct me if i'm wrong i havent looked too hard into the specifics of how masterys are distributed and availability) your martial will probably have 2-3 weapons so 2-3 masteries available to them, there are probably going to be many situations one of those 3 specific masteries isn't going to do anything, but more damage is always more damage and is always going to be applicable when attacking with your weapon, or from the other side, you now have a free hand to hold a shield for +2 AC or a spell focus or so on and so forth.

Sure, but if you are questioning why people are calling it a weak option, falling back on "you can't always use the better options" seems like a pretty clear answer. It is weak because it is the last choice, if you can use another mastery, that mastery is always better.

 

[Chaosmancer]

Most classes only get 2 (war priest gets 1).

Taking topple and flex would be a solid and safe choice for a tank paladin.

Only Fighters can take enough situational ones to always have the right weapon for the job (probably).

Okay, what makes flex better than Graze?

Graze also always activates, and it guarantees damage, you will never do zero damage with a graze weapon. Are we going to say it isn't good because you can't have your shield with it? Even though you can topple with the battleaxe and use that with your shield?

 

[mellored]

Okay, what makes flex better than Graze?

1 handed vs 2 handed

 

[DEFCON 1]

Okay, what makes Flex better than Graze?

Cue all the players who think 'Damage on a Miss' is the devil's mechanic.

 

[James Gasik]

Cue all the players who think 'Damage on a Miss' is the devil's mechanic.

Please don't; I don't want to trigger my PTSD from the Next playtest.

 

[Vaalingrade]

Cue all the players who think 'Damage on a Miss' is the devil's mechanic.

That's okay. I brought enough earplugs for everyone.

 

[Chaosmancer]

Okay, what makes flex better than Graze?

Graze also always activates, and it guarantees damage, you will never do zero damage with a graze weapon. Are we going to say it isn't good because you can't have your shield with it? Even though you can topple with the battleaxe and use that with your shield?

1 handed vs 2 handed

Well, called that

 

[mellored]

Well, called that

I never said graze wasn't good. I said flex wasn't as bad as people are making it out to be.

Graze and flex are both reliable, simple options.

But one is explicitly one handed, the other is 2 hands. They are not directly competing.

 

[Chaosmancer]

I never said graze wasn't good. I said flex wasn't as bad as people are making it out to be.

Graze and flex are both reliable, simple options.

But one is explicitly one handed, the other is 2 hands. They are not directly competing.

Until you are dealing with a fighter.

Let's say you have a high level fighter, and he has a weapon that has both Graze and Flex on it. He has to chose, before he attacks, which one to use. How often will he chose to guarantee damage over increasing it by +1? Assume a standard accuracy rate, with no advantage or anything like that.