3 Wizard Foci, 3 defenses

[herald]

One more thing to think of. Three foci, three forms of defense.

Staff Foci spells work against Fortitude
Orb Foci spells work against Will
Wand Foci spells work against Reflex

And that is why they dropped tome.

I would be willing to bet during one incarnation of this article, AC was still going to be the 4th defense and that is what tome would have handled. But since that time they have decided to go with 3 forms of defense and tome was dropped.

Could something like this be heading down the pike for clerics?

 

[Alaxk Knight of Galt]

As a 4e Fence sitter, this idea seems really cool. Each of the 3 items attacks a different point of defense on a character.

Take this a step further though, what if different weapon types have this mechanic as well
Swords or Slashing Weapons - Reflex
Maces or Bludgeoning- Will (ability to shake off bludgeoning damage)
Spears and Piercing - Fort

Okay, the will weapons seem a little iffy, but if they ran with this idea, it could be cool.

...On the other hand, it could lead to a book keeping nightmare.

 

[Masquerade]

It is a possibility, but, IMO, it kind of contradicts what Noonan was saying with "You can add your own implements and disciplines/traditions to the mix." [source]

 

[herald]

It is a possibility, but, IMO, it kind of contradicts what Noonan was saying with "You can add your own implements and disciplines/traditions to the mix." [source]

I can see were you are coming from on that. perhaps what he is talking about though is Implement replacement. Dagger for wand ect.

 

[Masquerade]

I can see were you are coming from on that. perhaps what he is talking about though is Implement replacement. Dagger for wand ect.

Right, it's far from an airtight contradiction, but we don't have a lot of evidence for or against your theory at this point.

 

[Szatany]

It is a possibility, but, IMO, it kind of contradicts what Noonan was saying with "You can add your own implements and disciplines/traditions to the mix." [source]

aaand we don't know if there are 3 defenses.

 

[Moon_Goddess]

I thought it had been confirmed AC is in?

 

[Intrope]

I thought it had been confirmed AC is in?

I'm getting a vibe that says:
3e: 'unnamed' AC -> 4e: AC
3e: 'touch' AC -> 4e: Reflex Defense

They'll be tightly tied together, but not the same. AC will probably be described as Reflex + Armor/Natural Armor.

I'm also going to go out on the limb and say that Shields will add to Reflex rather than AC (which would make them noticeably more valuable!)

 

[Lurks-no-More]

I'm also going to go out on the limb and say that Shields will add to Reflex rather than AC (which would make them noticeably more valuable!)

Nice idea; shields tend to be pretty meh-worthy now, good only for adding some armor enhancement bonuses.

 

[Baby Samurai]

I'm also going to go out on the limb and say that Shields will add to Reflex rather than AC (which would make them noticeably more valuable!)

Anything to give shields a boost - poor buggers really need it!

Yeah, I believe AC is still in, but I very much doubt we will still have Touch AC, what with all of the streamlining I doubt they want Reflex and 3 different AC values.