At-Will Powers

[Victim]

Yeah, magic missile just gets to do 4d4 at 21st. Or whatever.

I don't think you're supposed to rely on at-wills as much as people think they are. I think you get two at first level, and you're done for picking them separate from your path/destiny/race.

I agree. As characters level up, they get an increasing array of encounter and daily powers, so At will powers become less important over time. They get an upgrade at 21st so they're not as bad, but at will powers are probably strongest at 1st level.

 

[HeinorNY]

I think there are higher level At-Will powers because all At-Will powers we've seen so far have a level assigned to them.

If all At-Will powers are level 1, there would be no need for that.

 

[keterys]

All powers have a level attached to them. In fact, 'Wizard Attack 1' includes at-will, encounter, and daily powers.

Utility 2, even though there isn't a 1, 3, 4, or 5, etc. The level is when you get it. Full stop.

 

[Vymair]

Agree, At-Wills are the base attack you do when you aren't using an encounter power or a daily. With the number of encounter powers you'll end up with at higher levels, at-wills will be used less often so not in need of replacement. I expect they'll remain the same until epic levels...

 

[bganon]

Personally, I think there won't be many (if any) chances to gain new at-will powers. Partly because, as already mentioned, once you have a several encounter and daily powers (and item powers) you're not really going to need at-will powers all the time.

But the main reason I don't think characters will get new at-will powers is that I think choosing them is meant to be a significant part of the character creation process, just as class/role choice is significant. They'll also serve to distinguish one particular class build from another. You won't just play a "Rogue", you'll play a "Rogue with Piercing Strike and Deft Strike" or a "Rogue with Riposte Strike and Sly Flourish".

Allowing higher-level Rogues to get all those abilities just dilutes your flavor choice, and means high-level Rogues all start to look the same. Where's the fun in that?

 

[Ashardalon]

All powers have a level attached to them.

Except, apparently, racial powers, powers derived from class features (cantrips, channel divinity), and powers derived from feats (channel divinity, again).

I don't think there will be many instances of gaining new at-will powers, but I do think that higher-level at-will powers have a good chance of existing.

 

[Mr. Teapot]

But the main reason I don't think characters will get new at-will powers is that I think choosing them is meant to be a significant part of the character creation process, just as class/role choice is significant.

Except for the fact that PCs can retrain their at-wills to any other class appropriate at wills any time they level up.


I can't find the reference now, but read a developer flat out state that you only had your two starting at-will powers, but they increased in power as you leveled up and you could trade them out via retraining.

The point that Victim made about 21st level is good: by that level, you have a lot of encounter and daily powers to use, so the at-wills need a boost in power or they'll never get used.

I don't think most classes will have higher level at-will powers, though some classes (like wizards and some paragon paths) could easily be exceptions to this.

 

[keterys]

I wonder if features _are_ powers. There's a definition question. Probably, though.

I'd be _extraordinarily_ willing to believe that you get an extra at-will with your epic destiny (matches well with the old ones doubling), and very willing to believe that you can get another level 1 at-will via feat or as part of your paragon path. I'd not be surprised to see an at-will attached to a weapon or shield.

 

[Johnny Bravo]

I may have missed it somewhere, but what exactly are the "utility" powers?

 

[HeinorNY]

I may have missed it somewhere, but what exactly are the "utility" powers?

Don't worry. The problem is with WOTC's incapacity of keeping their fans informed about their new game, not with you.

Utility are Powers that are not attacks. Dispel Magic, Tumble, Insibility, Fly, are all utility Powers etc.
They differ from Rituals, which are "powers" that are used outside combat only.

Thank God we at least have EN-Insider.