Cones and Lines

[frankthedm]

3.5E lines were good for modeling energy attacks

4E lines were looking to be better for modeling piercing shots

Now it is VERY interesting to hear about the chain lightning effect.

 

[doctorhook]

Not actually true. The D&D Minis designers want the minis game to be as close to the RPG as is reasonably possible. Cones were still in the RPG when the minis rules were finalized.

Lines have been replaced. They operate more like 3.5's chain lightning, affecting a series of individual targets.

Well, that's about as official an answer as I could hope for! Thank you, Mr Bonner! It sounds like an effective and easy to adjudicate mechanic, as well.

Any chance you'd like to tell us about the Blue Dragon's breath weapon, while you're here?

 

[Reaper Steve]

Not actually true. The D&D Minis designers want the minis game to be as close to the RPG as is reasonably possible. Cones were still in the RPG when the minis rules were finalized.

Lines have been replaced. They operate more like 3.5's chain lightning, affecting a series of individual targets.

If I may...
I love DDM 2.0, except the cones. I really don't like how cones are executed in that game. I dislike them so much it detracts from my enjoyment of the game.

I LOVE the burst/blast of 4E and find them imminently more flexible than any cones ever were. It kind of amazes me that we just now had this gaming breakthrough.

I fervently hope that DDM2.0 will errata in the burst/blast to parallel 4E. I read rumor of having a new starter pack every year... maybe next year's DDM starter can replace cones with bursts/blasts?

 

[Mort_Q]

Lines have been replaced. They operate more like 3.5's chain lightning, affecting a series of individual targets.

Interesting.... added for context.... 'cause I need it.

Chain Lightning

This spell creates an electrical discharge that begins as a single stroke commencing from your fingertips. Unlike lightning bolt, chain lightning strikes one object or creature initially, then arcs to other targets.

The bolt deals 1d6 points of electricity damage per caster level (maximum 20d6) to the primary target. After it strikes, lightning can arc to a number of secondary targets equal to your caster level (maximum 20). The secondary bolts each strike one target and deal half as much damage as the primary one did (rounded down).

Each target can attempt a Reflex saving throw for half damage. You choose secondary targets as you like, but they must all be within 30 feet of the primary target, and no target can be struck more than once. You can choose to affect fewer secondary targets than the maximum.

 

[DerekSTheRed]

Not actually true. The D&D Minis designers want the minis game to be as close to the RPG as is reasonably possible. Cones were still in the RPG when the minis rules were finalized.

Lines have been replaced. They operate more like 3.5's chain lightning, affecting a series of individual targets.

By 'were' you mean past tense and cones are no longer in 4E? So the iconic Cone of Cold and Lightning bolt line are now sacred hamburger I take it. I don't think I'll miss them too much.

Now fire cubes instead of fire balls does mess with my verisimilitude a bit. But as someone in another thread pointed out, using hexes will probably fix that problem. Or I could just introduce Steel Sqwire's wire spell templates into 4E. I don't think the change from targeting an intersection versus a target square is that big of a deal.

Derek

 

[doctorhook]

By 'were' you mean past tense and cones are no longer in 4E? So the iconic Cone of Cold and Lightning bolt line are now sacred hamburger I take it. I don't think I'll miss them too much.

Now fire cubes instead of fire balls does mess with my verisimilitude a bit. But as someone in another thread pointed out, using hexes will probably fix that problem. Or I could just introduce Steel Sqwire's wire spell templates into 4E. I don't think the change from targeting an intersection versus a target square is that big of a deal.

Derek

I'm pretty sure cone of cold is now blast of cold, the Wizard Daily Attack 15 that I found the PrRC.

 

[Kaffis]

By 'were' you mean past tense and cones are no longer in 4E? So the iconic Cone of Cold and Lightning bolt line are now sacred hamburger I take it. I don't think I'll miss them too much.

Now fire cubes instead of fire balls does mess with my verisimilitude a bit. But as someone in another thread pointed out, using hexes will probably fix that problem. Or I could just introduce Steel Sqwire's wire spell templates into 4E. I don't think the change from targeting an intersection versus a target square is that big of a deal.

Derek

Or you can just train yourself to think in Chebyshev distances. In which case, you realize that a Euclidean square is a Chebyshev circle, so you're still casting a fireball.

This is a little easier to do with Manhattan distance, as a diamond is closer to a gridified Euclidean circle, and has rough edges to remind you that this is an approximation. But Manhattan distance has the unfortunate problem of explaining why to move diagonally is 2 squares, yet it's considered "adjacent" if a guy's standing there. Or you have to try to tell people they can't melee attack diagonally.

 

[Lanefan]

Or you can just train yourself to think in Chebyshev distances. In which case, you realize that a Euclidean square is a Chebyshev circle, so you're still casting a fireball.

This is a little easier to do with Manhattan distance, as a diamond is closer to a gridified Euclidean circle, and has rough edges to remind you that this is an approximation. But Manhattan distance has the unfortunate problem of explaining why to move diagonally is 2 squares, yet it's considered "adjacent" if a guy's standing there. Or you have to try to tell people they can't melee attack diagonally.

Either I'm supposed to reply something like "The motorboat cuts down the apple tree in July" and you'll let me in the secret room, or there's some jargon here I just don't understand.

Lanefan

 

[Blackeagle]

Either I'm supposed to reply something like "The motorboat cuts down the apple tree in July" and you'll let me in the secret room, or there's some jargon here I just don't understand.

But I thought everyone was familiar with non-Euclidian distance measurements? Chebyshev distance, Manhattan distance.

 

[doctorhook]

Either I'm supposed to reply something like "The motorboat cuts down the apple tree in July" and you'll let me in the secret room, or there's some jargon here I just don't understand.

Lanefan

This made me lol.