Just a quick question what is so wrong with this?
Didn't bows in AD&D used to have a rate of fire 2/1?
If its the notion of the arrows actually curving and hitting 2 opposite targets, well that's just fluff and you can ignore fluff.
You are right. I COULD just close my eyes and say "its just like shooting twice, its just like shooting twice, dont let it bother you." But in a way it isnt. Just ignoring the fluff to me isnt he answer. I agree I could. Here is why I dont like to just ignore it:
First off, because that isnt what it is--it is in fact the ability to fire two arrows at once and have them hit different targets. That, to me, represents a greater shift to the fantastical than I like in my game. I agree, that is a personal preference. And this isnt a tenth level guy, its a first level guy.
Second, it represents what a character can DO, and it can be used as a guide for what players can claim they also should be able to do. While this has never actually happened for me with 4E, I can tell you in my many years of DMing we have often discussed what a character should and shouldnt be able to do when they are making up stuff not specifically covered by the rules. When determining if it is something the PCs can do, we routinely compare the reqeusted effect with actual powers and abilities. "The rules say I can do X, so why in the world cant I do Y?" That type of debate happens all the time. Here you have a power that lets a firstie fire two arrows at once against different targets. That is a pretty substantial power. Granted, it is mechanically very similar to just shooting twice. But that is not what it does. That kind of power sets the bar for discussing other powers and for ajudicating other actions.
I guess in the end my problem is that this is (to me) simply too cinematic (notice I didnt say anime) for my style of play in general and for first level PCs in particular. I am not trying to cram my way of play down your throat.
Thats just my view. I happen to think that this increase in cinematic powers was an intentional design decision and that many people love it. I also happen to think that, as a design decision, I can take that stuff out or change it or scale it back and still be perfectly supportive of 4E
I dont want to get too bogged down in that specific example. It may not be the best one. Its just the one I happened to pick in my post, so I am sticking with it.
Clark
