[4e] covaithe's E1: Death's Reach

[Atanatotatos]

Best wishes again, sessadore! Hope you enjoy it all!

 

[covaithe]

Right, so that's one encounter down. The adventure calls for a level 20 encounter (15,600 xp) for 5 PCs. I added the goristro, bumping it up to a level 21 encounter for 6 PCs (and adding a credible threat to Massacre's tower, moving the fight outside). So, I think it was supposed to be a bit on the easy side, but I don't think it was supposed to be as easy as you guys made it.

On the one hand, you guys are a pretty pimped-out set of characters. Massacre has the lowest AC among you at 35; I'd have had to raise the goristro by 2 levels to give it a 50% chance to hit Massacre in melee, and he couldn't hit Batin at all except on a natural 20. And his AC was only 31, reflex only 27. You guys won't be missing monsters like him very often, and 450 HP didn't last nearly as long as I thought it would.

On the other hand, this adventure seems to call for lots (and lots and lots) of encounters that are individually fairly easy. I think I'll have to tinker with that, and have fewer encounters that are tougher.

 

[Atanatotatos]

Only slightly relevant to the topic: today I was reading a bit on the WotC optimization boards (you know, to stay informed) and I found a thread where several guys (which you can expect are well versed in the mechanics of the game) argued that a striker, to be competitive (not "optimal") for his level, needs an at-will DPR of at least about 20/40/60 oints of damage (heroic/paragon/epic tier).
Of course I was curious, and after a quick calculation, I found that Anostor's is MUCH lower than this curve requires. Now, of course this encounter is proof that, at this level, encounter powers are often more relevant that at-wills.
Regardless, I'd be interested to hear your opinions. While Anostor isn't really min-maxed, I don't feel he's really unoptimized.

Oh, well, sorry for the OT.

PS: Cov, I agree that fewer, tougher encounters is best for the pbp format! Bring'em on!!

 

[Oni]

Only slightly relevant to the topic: today I was reading a bit on the WotC optimization boards (you know, to stay informed) and I found a thread where several guys (which you can expect are well versed in the mechanics of the game) argued that a striker, to be competitive (not "optimal") for his level, needs an at-will DPR of at least about 20/40/60 oints of damage (heroic/paragon/epic tier).
Of course I was curious, and after a quick calculation, I found that Anostor's is MUCH lower than this curve requires. Now, of course this encounter is proof that, at this level, encounter powers are often more relevant that at-wills.

Maybe at 10th/20th/30th level...

I don't know I have my doubts about that, especially if you're factoring in that you're most likely not going to hit every round, which would cut your damage output by a significant margin.

I know you can get some ridiculously high DPR numbers with the right builds, but I think the numbers you've posted are setting a pretty high bar for simply competitive. I built Kylek with the idea of solid and consistent damage and his at will DPR wouldn't hit that. While I could have pushed the envelope a little farther, I don't think he's struggling just to reach the level of "competitive".

Besides I don't think numbers like these take into account one of the most important aspects of strikers (though one that I chose to downplay) and that is controlled burst. Also the ability to apply your damage to the optimal target.



Back to the last encounter, good gravy I didn't realize Batin's AC was so high, that's a pretty impressive number.

I'll just mention two things, brutes are kind of big punching bags, they seems to have particular bad defenses (excepting maybe Fort) and to hit for their levels. If it were me, I'd definitely make sure to at least keep them at level or maybe higher to make them more credible threats. Second, one thing to keep in mind if reducing the number of encounters (though that may be necessary just by virtue of being PbP) is that dailies will be used with greater density per encounter possibly. Though I guess that in part depends on how you string them together.



Anyway I'm not sure how helpful any of my rattling is, but I am looking forward to seeing what this adventure will hold.

 

[renau1g]

Yeah, having the two defenders and two strikers worked out pretty well (ok I jest, having our controller lock down most of the battlefield was just great!) I know I really like my PC and can't wait to see how things go down.

 

[Oni]

ok I jest, having our controller lock down most of the battlefield was just great!

Indeed, evard's ridiculous tentacles pretty much ended the fight before it started. There is something to be said for basically never coming within reach of 50% of the baddies for most of the fight.

 

[Atanatotatos]

The wizard, after all, is still God...

 

[stonegod]

The wizard, after all, is still God...

Don't tell Invoker's that!

 

[Atanatotatos]

Treantmonk doesn't care for Invokers

 

[CaBaNa]

Only with the dailies, that was the highest level daily Orelal had access to. It better have done something impressive, or this would be a long adventure...