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<blockquote data-quote="MadScientist" data-source="post: 1034924" data-attributes="member: 5277">I also hate the auto-success mechanic of the new Deflect Arrows. I agree that it is not terribly unbalanced in a typical game (although it is powerful because it auto-negates a successful hit).&nbsp; It does, however lend itself to wonky metagame thinking that I don't like. It also breaks my suspension of disbelief in certain situations. (Monk stands against pole, single x-bowman shoots at him ALL DAY AND NEVER HITS, well the monk should join the circus, make a fortune!)For example, in a fight with a group of enemies where only one of them is using ranged attacks and has a cross-bow.&nbsp; The PC with Deflect Arrows has no reason at all to seek cover from the x-bowman because he knows it is impossible for him to get hit. As a DM I have two x-bowman targeting the party.&nbsp; I know they both have to shoot the monk in the same round to have any chance of hitting, but do THEY know that? How long would it take them to figure it out? Now I have a weird meta-game situation where I have to choose between playing NPC's effectively and not making the monks player feel as though I'm metagaming to negate one of his powers.I also do not ascribe to the theory that the skill of the archer would have nothing to do with how difficult it is to deflect an arrow. The baseball analogy presented by MarauderX demonstrates this nicely IMO.&nbsp; A skilled archer could shoot you in locations that are difficult to reach.&nbsp; Also punch, once initiated, is pretty much has a predetermined path, but some blows are still much harder to deflect than others.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="MadScientist, post: 1034924, member: 5277"] I also hate the auto-success mechanic of the new Deflect Arrows. I agree that it is not terribly unbalanced in a typical game (although it is powerful because it auto-negates a [i]successful[/i] hit). It does, however lend itself to wonky metagame thinking that I don't like. It also breaks my suspension of disbelief in certain situations. (Monk stands against pole, single x-bowman shoots at him ALL DAY AND NEVER HITS, well the monk should join the circus, make a fortune!) For example, in a fight with a group of enemies where only one of them is using ranged attacks and has a cross-bow. The PC with Deflect Arrows has no reason at all to seek cover from the x-bowman because he knows it is impossible for him to get hit. As a DM I have two x-bowman targeting the party. I know they both have to shoot the monk in the same round to have any chance of hitting, but do THEY know that? How long would it take them to figure it out? Now I have a weird meta-game situation where I have to choose between playing NPC's effectively and not making the monks player feel as though I'm metagaming to negate one of his powers. I also do not ascribe to the theory that the skill of the archer would have nothing to do with how difficult it is to deflect an arrow. The baseball analogy presented by MarauderX demonstrates this nicely IMO. A skilled archer could shoot you in locations that are difficult to reach. Also punch, once initiated, is pretty much has a predetermined path, but some blows are still much harder to deflect than others. [/QUOTE]

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