Constant Powers?

[FireLance]

So far, we've seen at-will, encounter and daily powers. Since it doesn't look like we're going to see much in the way of talent trees, do you think there are going to be constant powers for class abilities such as a wizard's familiar, a ranger's animal companion, or a paladin's special mount?

 

[fafhrd]

I'd expect those to fall under class abilties like sneak attack rather than powers per se.

 

[FireLance]

I'd expect those to fall under class abilties like sneak attack rather than powers per se.

The problems with this approach are:

1. Not all constant abilities may be integral to the class concept (some people don't want familiars/animal companions/special mounts, for example), so it would not be a good idea to build them directly into the class features.

2. Some constant abilities may be too powerful for a 1st-level character.

 

[Ahglock]

Yes I expect there will effectively be constant powers. They will probably not be called that but the idea is solid and I expect to see it.

 

[fafhrd]

1) I hear you. I tend to opt for anything other than a critter for my characters. Something like Rogue tactics comes to mind as a means of addressing the problem.
2) It's a little rigid but perhaps paths will provide additional class abilities. Don't know enough to make a decent guess.

 

[Deverash]

How I always thought it was going to be divided was powers define the things you do, while feats provide modifiers to what you do.

If that's the case, then your constant "powers" will probably fall under feats more than powers. But, that's wild speculation(which makes it fit right in on this forum )

 

[Flobby]

Wait... If the power is at will isn't that the same as being constant? :\

 

[erf_beto]

Wait... If the power is at will isn't that the same as being constant? :\

Not really, since at will powers still require you to spend a (move/minor/standart/full) action in a given round, while a familiar acts on its own.

Though it goes against the "Power=Action, Feat=Static Bonus" design, I still think we can have powers with 'permanent' duration. If you still need to choose/memorize/prepare it, then what's the problem with an epic Mage Armor lasting the whole day when you canswitch it for Big Bad Fireball once per day?

On the topic of Animal Companions and Familiars, maybe a Feat grants you the companion per se, but Powers will give you special attacks and tactics with it. Like a druid gets a wolf companion as a feat, and choses pack tactics as an encounter power that gives bonuses to both his companion and him while wildshaping into a wolf. A Ranger might have the feat, but wouldnt be able to get the power, without wildshaping himself.

 

[Li Shenron]

Perhaps they are all moved to feats and core class abilities.

We still get feats right?

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

On the topic of Animal Companions and Familiars, maybe a Feat grants you the companion per se, but Powers will give you special attacks and tactics with it. Like a druid gets a wolf companion as a feat, and choses pack tactics as an encounter power that gives bonuses to both his companion and him while wildshaping into a wolf. A Ranger might have the feat, but wouldnt be able to get the power, without wildshaping himself.

That's quite an interesting idea - I could see that something along those lines would be very popular and worth picking up on.