Blinding Barrage: interpretation vs literal reading

[Nikosandros]

I have two issue with this power, that also have a more general relevance.

1) A magic thrown weapon returns to the wielder hand after a ranged attack. BB is, however a close blast. We already had some discussion about this issue in the past: a literal reading of the rules, says that a magic weapon employed with this weapon doesn't return to the attacker. This makes this power a rather poor choice as soon as the rogue has some kind of magic weapon.

2) Since BB is a close blast, it ignores concealment. However, with this power you actually need one projectile or weapon per enemy targeted, and it only attacks enemies. It's not like the blast area is saturated by the attack, like with a breath weapon. It would seem more logical to apply concealment penalties.

Thoughts?

 

[Black Knight Irios]

1)

14. I am using a magical thrown weapon as part of an area of effect power. If I am attacking multiple enemies within that area, do I need multiple weapons, or will one suffice?

One is enough in this case. Magical thrown weapons return to you after each attack, so you’ll be able to use it against each enemy as part of using your power.​

2) You can apply concealment penalties if you like but why do you want to weaken all martial powers that are close or area attacks because by your logic they should all have that penalty?
I wouldn't do it. And by RAW there is no penalty as well.

 

[Oompa]

As said above, with BB your weapon returns after each attack, and you roll separate attack rolls, but one damage roll..

So it would return..

 

[franzel]

Any magic light thrown or heavy thrown weapon, from the lowly +1 shuriken to a +6 perfect hunter’s spear, automatically returns to its wielder’s hand after a ranged attack with the weapon is resolved.

So the FAQ answer is essentially clarifying that when they said "ranged attack" in the text in the PHB, they meant all attacks made at range whether they have the Close, Area, or Ranged keyword.

I wonder if you could use that answer as a precedent to allow the Iron Armbands damage bonus to apply to all attacks made with a melee weapon, whether with the Close or Melee keywords. The same would apply to feats like Hammer Rhythm. Very interesting.

 

[Nikosandros]

So the FAQ answer is essentially clarifying that when they said "ranged attack" in the text in the PHB, they meant all attacks made at range whether they have the Close, Area, or Ranged keyword.

I'm aware of that FAQ answer; however it isn't a clarification, but a change in the rules: the PHB lists only ranged attacks and a close blast most certainly isn't one.

 

[Black Knight Irios]

I'm aware of that FAQ answer; however it isn't a clarification, but a change in the rules: the PHB lists only ranged attacks and a close blast most certainly isn't one.

And do you have a problem with that update or is your question 1 (Q1) solved?
If not I suggest you post in the house rules board because the rules board is done with Q1.

 

[Nikosandros]

Never mind.

 

[Oompa]

"If you’re using a projectile weapon to make a close attack, you need one piece of ammunition for each target, and if you’re using thrown weapons, you
need one for each target."

That is with mundane equipment.. magic just comes back..

 

[Plane Sailing]

I follow the spirit of it (i.e. thrown magic weapons can be used for blinding barrage as effectively as magic crossbows)

 

[franzel]

I'm aware of that FAQ answer; however it isn't a clarification, but a change in the rules: the PHB lists only ranged attacks and a close blast most certainly isn't one.

And? They're not allowed to change the rules? It's not as if this is coming from a CSR. And it's also not like it's the first time they've done that.

Oh wait, maybe it was the first time. But it's not the ONLY time!

For example:

For the blood mage paragon path, how often can you damage an opponent using the Bolstering Blood feature?
You can damage an opponent once per turn and once per power.

I'd say that's far more significant of a "clarification."