Action points/milestones

[Davachido]

A lot of people like the idea of action points, but not the implementation of milestones or use of items by milestones reached. I know the DMG says you don't have to always award only 1 AP but I'd like to see if we can get some ideas down to try to find the best and most fluid way for AP regain.

I'll start:

AP: Start off with 1 at the start of the day, you gain one per encounter to a maximum of 3. Once per day you can activate a power that allows you to use 2 of the action points in the current encounter (however both APs can not be used in the same round).

Items: Each item that has a daily power, is just an item with a daily power not restricted by milestones.

Action points I think should be changed like this because a lot of people hoard them (for that even bigger giant crab) and don't use them then end up wasting them.

I've allowed people to use daily powers of items non-restricted and I've never seem to have any problems with power levels of the characters so I don't see the point of restricting it by milestones.

Anyone else got any ideas?

 

[Alisair Longreach]

The simplest way to use Action Points in my opinion is to let them refresh at the beginning of every encounter. The AP is simply treated as an encounter power.

This rule will interfere with the Warmaster's (from Martial Power) Tactical Genius epic destiny level 30 feature but that is the only problem I can see. Give the level 30 Warmaster three or more APs per encounter and the problem is solved.

I also like my magic items daily powers be daily powers without restrictions. The Milestone limitation really irritates me because it lowers the functionality and usefullness of my magic items.

Just get rid of the Milestones. Houserule Rings by either removing the Milestone bonus or integrate it. Ban or houserule other magic items with Milestone bonuses.

 

[DanmarLOK]

I do like to encourage a longer work day so I still follow the one action point per two milestones. But the magic item limits and the reasons behind them aren't applicable to my group. I have a casual 'no cheese but otherwise use what you have' in terms of magic item daily powers. I see no point in granting 'wonderful toys' but telling people you only get to use one a day, that I had to change the first time it came up.

 

[Neuroglyph]

I tend to have 1 AP as a Daily power and award a "floating" additional AP after each milestone. It makes the players willing to push thru knowing that they will have a gaurenteed AP during the encounter following a milestone. The additional AP, if not used, go away after an extended rest.