A flaw in the system

[Branduil]

Do all those bonuses stack?

Lead the Attack and Lance of Faith don't. The others do.

 

[jmucchiello]

This is fine, except it goes against the inbuilt characteristics of daily powers that they either a) always have an effect or b) are "Reliable". Daily powers are never wasted, they are just sometimes less effective than at other times.

Not 100% true. Most daily attack powers have a miss effect, an automatic effect, potentially affect multiple targets, or are reliable (fighter mostly). There are, however, some powers (warlock mostly), that have sustained effects but no effect on a miss. Most of them even require repeated attack rolls to sustain because the effect is very bad for the target. I think there were 10-12 of them through the class chapter. So only most dailies are never wasted.

 

[doctorhook]

Well that depends on your risk-taking personality. Just like if I asked someone whether they want either:

a) 100% probability of $20 given to them
b) 1% probability of $2000 given to them

Either way the expected return is $20, but one is "greater glory", but a lower chance, as one would expect from the most difficult enemy.

B! B!! *twitch*

100% chance of getting $20, regardless of your choice, plus an additional 1% chance of $2000. Unless I'm getting this wrong, B really is the clear winner.

...Did you mean 99% chance of $20?

 

[pawsplay]

This system quirk does seem to discourage Big Damn Heroes moments, doesn't it?

 

[Amphimir Míriel]

This system quirk does seem to discourage Big Damn Heroes moments, doesn't it?

Could you elaborate?

 

[pawsplay]

Could you elaborate?

Since your most impressive attacks are most likely to be wasted on the boss, you use them on more vulnerable henchmen. So, those big action scene moments with Swarzenegger one-liners are comparitively rare. Instead, final boss fights are likely to consist of burning up a handful of unused powers followed by Punching Bag Combat.

 

[Lizard]

This system quirk does seem to discourage Big Damn Heroes moments, doesn't it?

Nothing heroic about guaranteed success.

I see this in 3e and I don't expect it to be different in 4e -- you weigh the odds and you make the decisions. Sure, the daily might be less likely to work on the big bad...but so are all your other powers, and they're less effective when they DO work. Further, 4e is dripping in combos to up the odds of success, and I suspect the system is balanced on the assumption your team will execute manuever 47-alpha according to the workout sessions you've had in the danger room. From my admittedly limited 4e experience, it absolutely does NOT encourage "Everyone run around doing their own thing" -- team dynamics and interplay are vital, and I'd call that a good thing, something worth stealing from MMOs. (Well, older MMOs, like EQ. Man, if you didn't know your role, you would TPK. WoW....pretty much, everyone can run around like Leeeeroyyyy Jennnnnkinssss and you'll STILL win 99% of the fights. But I digress.)

Heroism is taking a chance, knowing the consequences of failure are dire. If your daily always works, you might as well call it "Kill The Big Bad" and be done with it.

 

[Amphimir Míriel]

Since your most impressive attacks are most likely to be wasted on the boss, you use them on more vulnerable henchmen. So, those big action scene moments with Swarzenegger one-liners are comparitively rare. Instead, final boss fights are likely to consist of burning up a handful of unused powers followed by Punching Bag Combat.

Sure some players might go that way (although, as people have noted previously, most dailies do at least something on a miss, or are reliable).

However, at least on my game, players play the trope straight and blast the big guns on the big guys. Sure, sometimes they miss, but it is still a narratively interesting moment.

- "Drockmaar's jumps, lifting his mighty axe above his head and bellowing in fury... but his blow misses the mark and just makes a small scratch on the monster! The foul beast roars, and prepares to retaliate..."

-

edit: by "play the trope straight" I meant "they tend to avoid metagaming (unconsciously) and act according to character"

 

[Asmor]

Well that depends on your risk-taking personality. Just like if I asked someone whether they want either:

a) 100% probability of $20 given to them
b) 1% probability of $2000 given to them

Either way the expected return is $20, but one is "greater glory", but a lower chance, as one would expect from the most difficult enemy.

Interesting aside... There was an experiment done a while back which basically said people prefer moderate rewards, but are willing to take greater risks when it comes to punishments.

For example, more people would choose the guaranteed $20 than the 1% probably of losing $2000.

But more people would choose the 1% probability of losing $2000 than the guaranteed loss of $20.

The justification I heard was something along the lines of, evolutionarily speaking, when you're talking about whether you eat tonight or not, it's more important that you get something than get something big. On the flipside, when any setback no matter how small could mean you die, it's better to opt for the less likely setback.

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

Interesting aside... There was an experiment done a while back which basically said people prefer moderate rewards, but are willing to take greater risks when it comes to punishments.

For example, more people would choose the guaranteed $20 than the 1% probably of losing $2000.

But more people would choose the 1% probability of losing $2000 than the guaranteed loss of $20.

The justification I heard was something along the lines of, evolutionarily speaking, when you're talking about whether you eat tonight or not, it's more important that you get something than get something big. On the flipside, when any setback no matter how small could mean you die, it's better to opt for the less likely setback.

Ah, psychology experiments. Informative, entertaining, and--if you participate in them--potentially lucrative.