Dragon Mag Trust Issues

[Wik]

If you're talking about Focused Expertise, that is a feat from the PH3 Monk preview that allows you gain a +1 to hit with both implement and weapon attacks with the specific item, not a feat that grants both Weapon Focus and Weapon Expertise.

I just checked the character builder, and that must be the one you're referring to.

If memory serves, though, there WAS a feat that was +1 attack and damage. I'm sure of it.

 

[malraux]

Personally, I've only run across one unbalanced dragon item. The wizard power Grasp of the Grave is clearly one of the best powers at that level, and then it got errated to be even more powerful. Other than that, I've found dragon material to be about as good as anything else.

 

[Kez Darksun]

I just checked the character builder, and that must be the one you're referring to.

If memory serves, though, there WAS a feat that was +1 attack and damage. I'm sure of it.

Such feats, when they grant untyped bonuses to hit and damage, are conditional in most cases that I can recall off hand, such as requiring you to be a Druid, charging, in Beast form, be an 11th level or higher Minotaur that is bloodied, etc. Otherwise the feats, from what I recall, will grant a Feat bonus to hit or damage which does not stack with the Focus and Expertise feats.

 

[Ktulu]

Agreeing with the masses; I don't have a solid "no" rule, anymore. If it's in the DDi, I'll allow it, barring some obviously broken issues (most of them have been cleared up nicely in eratta, too).

 

[fba827]

I have to agree with Felon (the OP) on this one -- everytime someone in the group does something -really- out there that makes me say "how the f- did you do that at this level?" it's always followed by a response of "it's a power/feat out of dragon" and then i just cringe inside with a "oh, that's why, makes sense then"

While I don't outright say no to dragon powers/feats in my games, i do tell my players "i have to say okay to it first" (honestly, i almost always say okay if the player wants it so bad he's going through the trouble of making the case for it) - but, yeah, not a huge fan of it's impact for some of them.

 

[Inyssius]

If memory serves, though, there WAS a feat that was +1 attack and damage. I'm sure of it.

Memory has pissed in your soup, Wik, because there is no feat which gives those bonuses unconditionally. Not in Dragon Magazine or anywhere else.

 

[catsclaw227]

Ask Wizards 11.14.08

Q: The Dwarven Weapon Training feat gives you proficiency with all axes and hammers, does this extend to superior weapons like the mordenkrad?
A: Yes, the lucky dwarf with this feat has access to a whole host of axes and hammers, even those that are superior.

Yep. This is how the Dwarf Cleric (MC-Ranger) in our F2F is using the feat. It seemed powerful at first, and I balked, but in reality it's not that big of a deal.

And we have a "if it's in the CB, you can use it." Which sucks for 3PP producing player content. Though I could use some good 3PP adventure sites.

 

[malraux]

I have to agree with Felon (the OP) on this one -- everytime someone in the group does something -really- out there that makes me say "how the f- did you do that at this level?" it's always followed by a response of "it's a power/feat out of dragon" and then i just cringe inside with a "oh, that's why, makes sense then"

I wonder how much of this is selective memory. In my games, I've found stuff from dragon to show up as the key in an over powered build no more often than stuff from AV or even the PHB.

Personally, I think 4e just tend to feel overpowered even when it isn't.

 

[Hussar]

Wow, is this ever a change.

For years, I've seen "No Dragon material" as a fairly common house rule stretching back to 1e days.

Now, it almost appears to be the other way around for Dragon. Quite the change.

 

[FireLance]

Personally, I think 4e just tend to feel overpowered even when it isn't.

I think that 4e tends to be better balanced overall, so game elements that are on the higher end of the power scale tend to stand out.

When you think about it in perspective, one of the items that gets complained about the most grants a scaling bonus to damage rolls (from +2 to +6) with melee attacks.

Boring? Maybe. Broken? Seriously?