Dragon 381 - Know Your Role: Defenders

[Shroomy]

The first article that uses the new shorter format, "Know Your Role" Defenders" is a three page article that features magic items that would be of interest to defenders (duh!). Most of the items give boosts to healing and charges, allow defenders to get out of flanking situations, affect marks, and pull enemies closer. After watching the fighter in my party struggle to get off a hand axe, I think that getting him a fey strike weapon is a must. Other favorites are the diplomat's sheathe, the extending weapon, and the vortex mask.

Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Article (Defenders)

 

[weem]

Interesting.

I like the Foe Maker Weapon, particularly for my fighter - for my Warden? Not as much of a bonus of course. The Crowd Killer shield is cool as well.

 

[Nifft]

That amulet seems a bit too strong.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Shroomy]

That amulet seems a bit too strong.

Cheers, -- N

Why would you say that, it only allows you to spend an extra healing surge once per day. You have to sacrifice two limited resources to gain a healing surge worth of hit points.

 

[Nifft]

Why would you say that, it only allows you to spend an extra healing surge once per day. You have to sacrifice two limited resources to gain a healing surge worth of hit points.

Because it's not per-day.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Shroomy]

Because it's not per-day.

Cheers, -- N

Duh, I didn't notice that. Still, I don't know if that's too powerful.

 

[Kwalish Kid]

I don't like the magic item that mimics the class ability of the assault bond swordmage. It seems a little bit like giving away the special flavour of a class. However, I might get over it.

 

[Phaezen]

Because it's not per-day.

Cheers, -- N

Duh, I didn't notice that. Still, I don't know if that's too powerful.

Seems to be on par with the level 5+ healing armours

 

[Rechan]

That amulet seems a bit too strong.

How would you fix it?

 

[MrMyth]

Duh, I didn't notice that. Still, I don't know if that's too powerful.

Yeah, I'm not too concerned. As a level 5 item, it is at the top 'end' of each tier of bonuses, so the effect should be significant.

One thing to keep in mind - you need to already be spending a healing surge to use the item. That means that if you are out of ways to spend surges, it doesn't help - and earlier in a combat, if a leader uses Healing Word (or similar), you'll need to be pretty low to be able to profit from two surges plus whatever bonuses your ally provides.

Certainly strong, but even as an 'Encounter' power, the ideal time to use it won't occur in every fight.

That said, I'd probably slightly change it to tone it down a bit. I think it would be a bit much to drop it to a daily, but it is hard to find a balance between daily and encounter. Perhaps make it a daily power, which if you hit a milestone and have not already used it that day, becomes an encounter power until your next extended rest.

A bit complicated, but would seem the right level of usefulness - a sudden safety button for early fights in the day, or more reliable healing later... when you are starting to get low on surges anyway.