Consider this more of a call for clarification. Viper Strike allows for an AoO if the foe hit with it shifts.
And this AoO is with a party ally. So, can a person with a ranged attack handy qualify? Or only someone adjacent in the classical sense?
The very tactical build on the game makes for group support key. I agree, one PC can still hold the PC screen time in the non-combat roles, but in a fight everyone has to keep on their toes.
Some classes if played right (strikers) can solo most things, but not for long. Defenders are built for...
The players (rogue) in my game picked up the slings, crossbows, and every piece of special ammo he could get his hands on. Then used it on the next fight.
But still having both sets of Racial feats is a nice advantage the Half-Elves have. It does allow for some very unique character development as time goes on. ie. Anything that gives more character options = good.
Until you see their magic system. When you can sustain Body of Air, Invisibility, and Shape Air with high stats...well, let me tell you, logic just goes right out the window. So lets not be system centric and focus on the original topic at hand.
We had this problem till the Warlord learned just what Viperstrike could do. Funny thing is the Kolbolds all have shifty which allows them to take their minor action doing a shift. And they would! Move, hit, shift. Frustrated the Paladin and Fighter to no end.
Levels are just merely a pacing guideline for progression of the PCs. If you gave everything a cost value in points you could do much the same with them. However, NPC/monster points don't = PC points. For some very obvious reasons.
But there is the wonder of just waiting till Planescape (among other settings) though. Oh, I'll happily embrace the new FR. I look forward to a much slimmed down world, especially if I'm brining in new players. But, I'm setting Agnostic most the time. I have a few favorites (All hail Dark Sun)...
Heh. But honestly, for the discount I'm getting. I can live with a few days. Really. Sure, they're going to be painful soul sucking days...but I'll deal. The balm of beautiful new books will sooth my poor spirit.
More or less. Taken from someone who ran it last week, the setting is really a by the numbers game. Great for farming out ideas, but not what I'd call a top notch adventure.