Discussion of Scotley's upcoming 4e Swashbuckler Game

[Scotley]

So Lucien doesn't automatically mark the enemy when he attacks, he has to choose to do so?

That is correct! Unlike some of the others he has to attack someone to mark them. You could attack them and not mark them. Doesn't matter if you hit or miss as long as you try.

Ali is special in that he has the option of marking a more distant target which is a really nifty thing to do. I guess Paladin's can too.

 

[Walking Dad]

They could use Divine Challenge at Close Burst 5, but it ends automatically if your are not adjacent or attack the target at your turn.

 

[Lou]

Swordmages normally mark a single target using an aegis at close burst 3. That mark lasts until death or superceded by another mark.

Paladins can mark a single target using the Divine Challenge at close burst 5, unless it is already marked using a Divine Challenge, but must attack or end turn next to the marked target or the mark is gone and the Divine Challenge cannot be used the next turn.

Fighters can mark any target they attack. Does that include a ranged attack? Can a Fighter mark a target at long range by bow?

Scotley--BTW I am editing Ali's last turn to include marking the orc in front of Ali, since the previous mark Ali made is gone. It seems wrong to place Colin in a flanked position and leave the orc flanking unmarked. This way the orcs flanking Colin will both be marked, one by Manous and one by Ali.

 

[Rhun]

That is correct! Unlike some of the others he has to attack someone to mark them. You could attack them and not mark them. Doesn't matter if you hit or miss as long as you try.

I have to ask...what would be the purpose of attacking and NOT marking your enemy?

 

[Walking Dad]

Someone could have a 'better' mark on it. There are some dailies that do a really strong effect for the swordmage, for example.
If the fighter marks the enemy the next round, he effectively ended a daily from another character.

 

[stonegod]

Fighters can mark any target they attack. Does that include a ranged attack? Can a Fighter mark a target at long range by bow?

Yes, but its not generally beneficial as their Combat Superiority only triggers in a range of Melee 1.

I have to ask...what would be the purpose of attacking and NOT marking your enemy?

Not to supersede someone else's mark. Otherwise, no reason.

 

[Scotley]

Yes, a fighter who makes a ranged attack could mark a target at range. However, the big advantage of marking is that you can take a free shot at the marked target if they attack someone else or try to move. Unfortunately, you are limited to melee attacks for this, so if you mark them way off all you'll can is a minus two to hit against one of your fellows assuming they marked target can't attack back at range.

Here's the updated text:
Page 76: In the second paragraph, replace “a marked enemy that is adjacent to you shifts or makes an attack” with “an enemy marked by you is adjacent to you and shifts or makes an attack.”
In addition, whenever an enemy marked by you is adjacent to you and shifts or makes an attack that does not include you, you can make a melee basic
attack against that enemy as an immediate interrupt.

It has been suggested that a fighter can mark more than one target if he uses a power that targets more than one. There aren't that many fighter powers that allow for multiple targets, but there are a few.

There are some questionable tactics for Paladins where you mark a target 5 squares away, chunk a javelin at it and then move even further away forcing them to either find a way to attack you, possibly drawing attacks of opportunity moving past your companions to get at you or not attack or take automatic damage from attacking someone else. Such cowardly tactics would not be appropriate for most Paladins, but with the removal of alignment restrictions, Paladins of non-good deities might well do such a thing. I can see using it against a foe that is almost impossible to hit. But the three plus Charisma mod damage and a basic ranged attack doesn't really seem as valuable as what a Paladin can typically do by just stepping and using an at-will power.

I would guess the Sword Mage is the one best suited to take advantage of the ranged mark.

 

[renau1g]

Another "effective" paladin marking "trick" is to be a half-elf, focus on your damage dealt by ignoring the mark, and at Paragon levels take the feat to have your 1/encounter Diletante power into at-will, select Eyebite from Warlock and if you hit you are invisible to that creature. If they attack you they're -5 from you being invisible, if they attack an ally it's either -2 (or -3 with a feat) and they take a bunch of damage.

 

[Rhun]

Thanks guys! It will take a couple of years, but eventually I'll be up to speed on 4E! (Just in time for 5E to be released, I'm sure.)

 

[Leif]

renau1g, I didn't really get the import of your post, but since you mentioned Paragon powers I guess it's not something that Manous needs to worry too much about at the moment, eh?