Recent content by Iceman

Actually, I'm pretty sure this one works as written. The reference in the power to Enemy is from the acting character's perspective, not the view of the one being slid and forced to swing. In other words, if I had an at-will that said "One enemy" as its target, then I could not use it against...

I'm pretty sure it's a general rule. There are powers that say "until the end of your next turn or you make an attack" and similar, and we've always played them as ending at the earlier occurrence. It's like forced movement. Push 4 is really "push up to 4". ;)

Applying the spellbook rules to encounter powers makes sense. The essentials Mage already does so. Swapping after each rest is powerful or not based on the adventure. If you have a clue what you're facing, it's nice prep. If you don't know what's next, it's not really different than picking at...

A good friend of mine was looking to build a wizard about a month ago, to join a game at 5th level. I tried to explain being a controller to him somewhat like this: You can control with effects. Good or bad damage doesn't matter, you're goal is to be dazing, immobilizing, penalizing and so...

Wizard's Fury. On one hand, it doesn't have a big Daily Power effect on the turn you cast it. On the other, it turns you into an encounter-long artillery piece. Some love it, some hate it, I think it's pretty cool. My shaman loves that power. I tend to identify a melee-only threat, hit him...

pymapper (pymapper | Dungeon Tile Mapping Software) puts together map images using WotC's dungeon tiles. If you're comfortable with what is available through that (which is fairly robust by now), you can put some awesome stuff together. And it's free! -VIC

Backup cleric? Sure. Artillery wizard? Why not. But a frontline defender is going to be (or in a lot of ways should be) in the thick of every fight. I haven't had to do it in 4E (yet), but I don't recommend it, Kevin. But you're probably better at managing such an NPC than I. Of course, on...

Um, how will we find you? Big Sign? Crazy hair? And I do hope that minimal system-knowledge is needed. ;) Looking forward to it. -VIC

Well, if Mike wants to play, I should probably throw my hat in as well. ;) -VIC

Always a good idea - something the rogue in our home group has picked up on as well. Actually, I don't think it's that bad. A big part might be the weapon, which I imagine is an obvious observation. ;) If you were using a rapier instead, that's two points per [W] more. (( but then it cannot...

By your definition, I would have no qualms about playing in such a campaign with a good GM and players. But then, I expect a good GM and players to be able to engage the narrowly scoped plot, develop in-character relationships with the world and each other, and influence the game world in...

Sounds like a great tactical encounter. :) As I understand 4E, you cannot. You can only forced-movement someone into a square that they could move to on their own, which is why you can slide, pull or push enemies through other enemies. But since they cannot move diagonally around that 'hard...

You hang at GrandLAN? I've stopped by there once (to buy a roll and check out the space) but have not made it back for any actual events... -VIC

Yeah, most of the rpga's LFR events would qualify, I think. The ones labeled Mini are for 1st level characters, there are three of them that tell a connected story (and probably advance the character to 2nd level along the way). But you have to bring your own characters. If I'm thinking of the...

The home game I play in, everyone tends to hoard their dailies for the Big Boss. Though we're second level, so we only have one each. There are times when, sure, a daily would help speed along the mid-dungeon-level encounter, but we seem to be more willing to grind through than to blast ahead...