Defensive Healing Word Cheese

[Kzach]

I just realised that the wording of the Defensive Healing Word feat has no duration attached to it.

So out of combat, a few short rests and everyone walks around with a bonus to all their defences against the first attack made against them, whenever that may be.

 

[renau1g]

Correct as RAW, but I'd say RAI it'd be only against the next attack that encounter as there are very few (if any) powers that aren't rituals that last longer than 1 encounter time.

 

[keterys]

Sounds like a good candidate for errata to me.

 

[korjik]

Yeah, it is cheese, but could you catch a mouse with it?

I dont even think this should be corrected. Yeah, it probably should be till end of encounter, but so what? Either the DM will allow it and just take it into account when playing, or the DM will convince the players that abusing the rules is a bad idea. Can you say 'Wandering Monsters'?

Quite frankly, the second option is a far better way to take care of the situation.

 

[DarkLord Of DForce]

Hmm... everyone?

Unless I'm reading it wrong, the D&D Insider Compendium says "When you use your Healing Word, the target also gains a power bonus to all defenses equal to your charisma modifier against the next attack made against him or her."


Am I missing something (again)?...

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Powers only last 5 mins max. Thats somewhere buried in the rules...

 

[keterys]

Powers only last 5 mins max. Thats somewhere buried in the rules...

No, it isn't. Sustainable powers last for a maximum of five minutes, yes.

 

[kerbarian]

Since it says "also gains a power bonus to all defenses", I'd interpret that to mean the target only gets the bonus if they spend a healing surge. If everyone needs to spend healing surges anyway after a fight, then I'd have no problem with the defense bonus lasting into the next encounter, but if you want to use it at the start of the day or something, it would cost healing surges.

 

[keterys]

How about if they use healing words before an extended rest, to apply to the next day?

 

[DracoSuave]

No, it isn't. Sustainable powers last for a maximum of five minutes, yes.

Also powers that last 'until the end of the encounter.'