The Essentials articles are atrocious.

[UngeheuerLich]

@GMfPG:

I also believe DPR is worth nothing in a vaccum. It just doesn´t reflect the actual game.

Sure strike e.g. can be a blessing if you know a monster is barely on his feet with 1 or 2 hp left, where any excess damage is just wasted. Especially if you are using bloodclaw, weapon focus and leader damage riders, the difference is maximum 9 damage at level 28. (If you are not using an axe or hammer where i can actually be 16)
Just for Dausuul: i still wouldn´t take sure strike on most builds. I would rather take an encounter or daily which trades damage for accuracy then.

 

[nightwyrm]

I think the idea that CharOps focus solely on DPR is a bit exaggerated. Sure, if you're looking at a handbook for a striker, of course they'll be focusing on DPR. But if you look at handbooks for controllers or defenders, they'll often recommend powers that inflict conditions or force movements over powers that does higher pure damage but has no other effects.

What they do focus on a lot is your hit rate. Things that allow you to hit easier and carries a good effect are often recommended.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

I think the idea that CharOps focus solely on DPR is a bit exaggerated. Sure, if you're looking at a handbook for a striker, of course they'll be focusing on DPR. But if you look at handbooks for controllers or defenders, they'll often recommend powers that inflict conditions or force movements over powers that does pure damage.

What they do focus on a lot is your hit rate. Things that allow you to hit easier and carries a good effect are often recommended.

hit rate over damage to carry effects (like stoping movment with op attacks) sounds like sure strike and heavy blade op would be a good choice...but they don't like that...

 

[nightwyrm]

hit rate over damage to carry effects (like stoping movment with op attacks) sounds like sure strike and heavy blade op would be a good choice...but they don't like that...

Because it's too specific. You need HBO and thus be using a sword, you need to be making an opportunity attack, and brash strike already does it better. Sure strike by itself doesn't do enough. You're spending too much stuff to make sure strike useful and once you take into account the opportunity cost, it's not an optimized usage of your feats and power for your entire character build.

However, they love stuff like weapon powers that allows you to hit NADs.

For say the invoker, they will recommend Sun Strike (which hits ref and slides) over Avenging Light (which hits fort and does a bit more damage). And they would recommend the ref hitting area attack Vanguard's Lightning much higher over both even though its damage is even less.

 

[Wayside]

it's not an optimized usage of your feats and power for your entire character build.

That's all well and good for Spike, but Timmy and Johnny don't care.

 

[Nifft]

Who is Grimtooth? Do you mean Irontooth or did I get more beers tonight than I seem to recall?

Irontooth. Right. I'm the one with more beers tonight.

Thanks, -- N

 

[nightwyrm]

That's all well and good for Spike, but Timmy and Johnny don't care.

That's true...but I was reflecting CharOps opinion.

But I'm not sure the archetypes from Magic really applies. Aren't johnnies the ones loves their cheese and wins with weird 4 card combos. Timmies are the only ones not well represented in CharOps.

 

[Garthanos]

That's all well and good for Spike, but Timmy and Johnny don't care.

Irresponsible to recommend to a newbie stranger in that way - I am certain they assume you know what you are recommending and that you will recommend something they can handle not something taking esoterica or unusual circumstance to use well.

I would recommend to a newbie interested in "Sure Strike"
"I never miss" and "assured aggressive attack"

Recognize them?

 

[GMforPowergamers]

That's all well and good for Spike, but Timmy and Johnny don't care.

ok, is this a magic the gathering thing...or a movie thing?? eaither way I missed my know: geek DC

 

[nightwyrm]

ok, is this a magic the gathering thing...or a movie thing?? eaither way I missed my know: geek DC

It's a Magic thing describing player archetypes.

Spike likes to win.
Timmy likes big creatures and big effects.
Johnny likes making weird decks and combos.

Detailed explanation here:
http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom/daily/mr11b
and here:
http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom/daily/mr220b