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Discussing 4e Subsystems: POWERS!
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<blockquote data-quote="pukunui" data-source="post: 4545405" data-attributes="member: 54629"><p>Sorry ... tumbling was a bad example (or perhaps it would be better to say that naming a power "Tumble" was a bad decision on WotC's part).</p><p></p><p>I think my main point still stands though - as a player, I don't feel <em>empowered</em> or more in control of the narrative using 4e's powers system. I feel <em>less</em> in control because the actual rules system - as opposed to the DM - is putting these arbitrary limits on what I can do and how often I can do it. I can reason with the DM and say, "Hey, look, I've got this cool ability and I'd actually like to be able to use it ... do you think you could give me some opportunities to do so in future encounters?" I can't reason with the ruleset. It just is the way it is and I have to either convince my DM to house rule it or just put up with it.</p><p></p><p>Mind you, this issue only really irks me as it relates to the Martial power source. I don't find it problematic in relation to magic ... and I don't have a problem with the way it's done in SWSE because in that system, the encounter/daily limits are almost always applied to abilities that involve an element of chance/luck or Force usage.</p><p></p><p>Being told that I can only use a certain spell/Force power once per encounter/day is OK. I can rationalize that by saying that it requires a great deal of stamina and I need to rest before I can use it again or whatever. (Also, with Force powers at least, the system also allows you to use spent Force powers again through a few mechanics that can be said to represent the Force being with you or that you got lucky or whatever.) Being told that I can only negate a hit once per day because I got lucky and the shot ricocheted off my belt buckle or whatever is OK too as it explicitly involves an element of randomness. But being told that I can only garrote someone and use them as a living shield once per day for no apparent reason just doesn't do it for me. You can argue that it's a difficult maneuver to set up, but that implies the involvement of forces outside of my control - be it luck or magic or whatever - and there is no suggestion of that in the power's description. If I have been trained in garroting people and using them as shields, then I should be able to do it as many times as I want/need to and/or the narrative calls for it. Either that or the power should specifically state: "You got lucky. The circumstances were just right ..."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="pukunui, post: 4545405, member: 54629"] Sorry ... tumbling was a bad example (or perhaps it would be better to say that naming a power "Tumble" was a bad decision on WotC's part). I think my main point still stands though - as a player, I don't feel [I]empowered[/I] or more in control of the narrative using 4e's powers system. I feel [I]less[/I] in control because the actual rules system - as opposed to the DM - is putting these arbitrary limits on what I can do and how often I can do it. I can reason with the DM and say, "Hey, look, I've got this cool ability and I'd actually like to be able to use it ... do you think you could give me some opportunities to do so in future encounters?" I can't reason with the ruleset. It just is the way it is and I have to either convince my DM to house rule it or just put up with it. Mind you, this issue only really irks me as it relates to the Martial power source. I don't find it problematic in relation to magic ... and I don't have a problem with the way it's done in SWSE because in that system, the encounter/daily limits are almost always applied to abilities that involve an element of chance/luck or Force usage. Being told that I can only use a certain spell/Force power once per encounter/day is OK. I can rationalize that by saying that it requires a great deal of stamina and I need to rest before I can use it again or whatever. (Also, with Force powers at least, the system also allows you to use spent Force powers again through a few mechanics that can be said to represent the Force being with you or that you got lucky or whatever.) Being told that I can only negate a hit once per day because I got lucky and the shot ricocheted off my belt buckle or whatever is OK too as it explicitly involves an element of randomness. But being told that I can only garrote someone and use them as a living shield once per day for no apparent reason just doesn't do it for me. You can argue that it's a difficult maneuver to set up, but that implies the involvement of forces outside of my control - be it luck or magic or whatever - and there is no suggestion of that in the power's description. If I have been trained in garroting people and using them as shields, then I should be able to do it as many times as I want/need to and/or the narrative calls for it. Either that or the power should specifically state: "You got lucky. The circumstances were just right ..." [/QUOTE]
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