Dodge, why is it still crappy?

[Stalker0]

Ah, the dodge feat. It is likely one of the most common houserules in the game to simply make the dodge feat a +1 dodge bonus to AC. It is clean, simple, effective. It speeds up gameplay, its easier to remember for dm and player alike. In my many years on this board, I have never heard anyone say this houserule is broken or overpowered. Afterall, we have a feat (weapon focus) that for 95% of all combats provides a +1 to attack rolls (the companion to dodge if you will).

Yet, over the mountain of new books, errata, etc dodge has still been dodge. Why WOTC did not change the phb dodge is understandable. You don't want to go back and change something in print unless you have to. But even with new setting books that give a whole new set of feats, dodge is still dodge. Even with different subsets of the system, still dodge.

Just recently, Star Wars SAGA came out. Guess what, dodge is still dodge. And its so crappy there's another feat that does give a flat out +1 bonus to AC AND another benefit!!

So I just want to ask, why are designers so enamored with the dodge feat? Do they believe its a balanced feat considering the mountain of people who houserule it? Do they believe it would be overpowered with the houserule? Or have they just not noticed?

 

[Felix]

Possibly because of the feat chains that follow dodge? Many of them say, "the target designated by your Dodge feat..." and then outlines a nice little benefit against him. Allowing the +1 to everyone would mean that you could always do that manaeuver against everyone all the time. Which could be too powerful.

*shrug*

 

[Umbran]

Well, for one thing, not all feats are created equal. Dodge is among the most basic feats that 1st level characters would take, and as such, it shouldn't be very powerful.

Also, part of the power of Dodge has nothing to do with the dodge bonus itself - it also grants you access to Mobility and Spring Attack.

 

[sniffles]

I'd like to see someone create an Improved Dodge feat that allows you to apply your dodge bonus to more than one designated opponent. I don't think a +1 dodge bonus to AC against two opponents is unbalancing. Maybe you could have a tree of feats growing out of it that give you the ability to Dodge increasing numbers of opponents, and at the highest level of feat in that tree you'd also get a higher Dodge bonus.

Either that, or let any character use Dodge the same way any character can Trip or Disarm or Grapple. You could still apply that rule the same way the current Dodge feat applies - only versus one designated opponent that you threaten, and only +1 to your AC for that round. Then make the feat Improved Dodge and give it a higher AC bonus. Improved Dodge could become the new prerequisite for Mobility.

 

[Nifft]

SW Saga has at least three feats which a 1st level dude could take to improve his Reflex defense.

- Improved Defenses: +1 to Fortitude, Reflex and Will

- Martial Arts I: +1 to Reflex, the benefits of Improved Unarmed Strike, and your Unarmed Strike damage increases

- Dodge: +1 dodge bonus to Reflex vs. one opponent

Yeah. Tough choice there. Especially considering how Dodge is no longer required for Spring Attack.

IMHO: remove Dodge; make Martial Arts I or Improved Defenses the prerequisite for whatever now requires Dodge.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Particle_Man]

There are some feats (like elusive target) that require Dodge and which have modes that only apply to the "Dodge buddy".

 

[RangerWickett]

Easy solution:

Dodge II [General]
You have learned to dodge your opponents' attacks -- wrenches, cars, and balls.
Prerequisite: Dex 13
Benefit: You gain a +1 dodge bonus to AC.

For the purpose of feats that have Dodge as a prerequisite, you can use this feat in its place. If a feat would have an effect based on which opponent you would normally choose to be dodging, you must choose a single opponent each round on your turn as the focus of such effects.

If you have already taken Dodge, you can replace it with this feat without requiring you to spend another feat slot.

 

[Simplicity]

Other easy solution: Dodge sucks, and is a waste of my time.
Just make it a +1 AC already.

 

[RangerWickett]

Also:

Duck [General]
You dodge quickly.
Prerequisite: Dex 13, Dodge, base reflex save +4
Benefit: Increase the dodge bonus to AC Dodge grants you by +1.

You gain the uncanny dodge ability.


Dip [General]
You dodge multiple foes well.
Prerequisite: Dex 13, Dodge, Duck, base reflex save +6
Benefit: Increase the dodge bonus to AC Dodge grants you by +1.

You gain the improved uncanny dodge ability.


Dive [General]
You dodge area attacks well.
Prerequisite: Dex 13, Dodge, base reflex save +2
Benefit: Increase the dodge bonus to AC Dodge grants you by +1.

You gain the evasion ability.


Dodge (the other one) [General]
You dodge area attacks well.
Prerequisite: Dex 13, Dive, Dodge, base reflex save +7
Benefit: Increase the dodge bonus to AC Dodge grants you by +1.

You gain the improved evasion ability.

 

[Odhanan]

I hate it when a crappy feat is wasted to gain access to decent ones. I don't want to have fun with my feats later. I want to have fun with the ones I get now.

Ergo, for me... Dodge sucks balls. That's right.