Black Arrow Madness

[Nytmare]

I've only had experience with one serious striker in my campaign. Unfortunately, with such a limited world view, I can't tell how obnoxious the character really is.

He's a sneak-attackey kobold rogue who just hit 6th level and discovered Black Arrow Style. Over the course of the evening, in three and a half fairly large encounters, I think I was able to deprive him of sneak attack damage on two of his attacks, and he never felt the need to use any power other than Deft Strike.

Question #1: In the grand scheme of things where does a reliable 1d6+2d8+7 damage every round fall? I know it could easily be higher, but I have no idea what the baseline is among strikers.

Question #2: Do I have a right to be as bothered as I am about a feat that stops a player from ever wanting to use an encounter or daily power? I don't like the idea of one feat choice making 85% of a player's combat options obsolete.

 

[Blizzardb]

I honestly don't see the problem with Black Arrow Style. It has two conditions - move into concealment or cover and suceed on a Stealth check. Even if both are fairly easy to satisfy, Rogues are supposed to get sneak attack almost every round and he is limited to an at-will power.

So:
Question 1: I certainly don't think that the damage output is disbalanced. The melee rogue in my campaign did more damage at this level and he rarely had problem to apply his sneak attack.
Question 2: I think the player handicaps himself if he never wants to use encounters or dailies. I certainly wouldn't do so, even with this feat.

 

[tmatk]

As a player, I find a one-trick pony to be very boring. If your player is enjoying that, then more power to him/her.

Is the rogue just sitting there behind a tree, rolling a stealth check before every attack? I would rule that the player has to actually move to a new location every round, otherwise the target gets a perception bonus.

 

[Nytmare]

He's moving. Dancing back and forth behind/over the front line so that he has cover from the people he's sniping. Doubled up with Chameleon he's hard to even legitamately notice.

 

[tmatk]

He's moving. Dancing back and forth behind/over the front line so that he has cover from the people he's sniping. Doubled up with Chameleon he's hard to even legitamately notice.

Keep in mind, using that feat does not constitute an actual stealth check. It just gives CA against the target.

A legitimate stealth check requires superior cover or total concealment from all enemies and he needs to beat all of their passive perceptions.

 

[Piratecat]

I don't think the damage is a problem; monster hit points assume that sort of damage output from a striker. I have two rogues and a ranger in my game, and I never see grind.

The trick is making sure the player doesn't get bored or complacent. Understand the stealth rules. Hit him from behind with lurkers. Catch him in area attacks. Have a leader scream "find and kill that archer" after he shoots, so every monster tries to see and target him.

 

[Nytmare]

A legitimate stealth check requires superior cover or total concealment from all enemies and he needs to beat all of their passive perceptions.

No, I know. He usually doesn't even need to roll however to beat all of their passive perceptions.

 

[frankthedm]

He's moving. Dancing back and forth behind/over the front line so that he has cover from the people he's sniping. Doubled up with Chameleon he's hard to even legitamately notice.

uhm are you certain that works? I thought Cover as defined by the PHB is provided by objects. Allied Creatures provide cover against , not being actual cover. The confusion over this swiftly lead to the Stealth Eratta soon after the books were published.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

Question #1: In the grand scheme of things where does a reliable 1d6+2d8+7 damage every round fall? I know it could easily be higher, but I have no idea what the baseline is among strikers.

Question #2: Do I have a right to be as bothered as I am about a feat that stops a player from ever wanting to use an encounter or daily power? I don't like the idea of one feat choice making 85% of a player's combat options obsolete.

In the campaign I run, there are a number of Strikers, and I like running strikers myself. So..

#1. 1D6+2D8+7 at 6th level is reasonable for a striker at this level

#2 Nope. My own character is a Druid turned striker whose primary tactic 80% of the time is to charge.. at 13th level he was dealing 1D8 + 2D6 + 16...
sure I had to soak up an OA every round.. but that was okay. I have been playing Tor for a number of months and very much enjoy playing the furball from hell.

And like frankthedm says, you need real cover, not hiding behind allies.

 

[tmatk]

uhm are you certain that works? I thought Cover as defined by the PHB is provided by objects. Allied Creatures provide cover against , not being actual cover. The confusion over this swiftly lead to the Stealth Eratta soon after the books were published.

I think you're right, allies don't provide cover as far as stealth is concerned; only for ranged attacks.