Dragon's Tail Cut?

[Fifth Element]

Perhaps Bap, Kapow or Kablam? Players can hold up colorful little cards when they perform their maneuvers.

Alright, that would be awesome. As long as they include the cards with the core books, and don't sell them in randomized booster packs.

 

[Doug McCrae]

And the name is gone: http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=14071597&postcount=22

This is really, really terrible. I don't want WotC changing decisions because someone spends 30 seconds typing an ill-thought out opinion on the interweb.

Names are very important. I want WotC to have this figured out. I want them to have a plan. Whether they go flavourless or different varieties of flavourful, or both, HERO style, doesn't particularly matter. What's important is that these things are done or not done for good reason.

A few dozen message board posters saying, "This name sucks" isn't a good reason.

Remember also that many people complained about the 3e names not being flavorful enough. You'll always get complaints no matter what you do. They mean nothing.

 

[Rechan]

I resubmit my suggestion, "Reaping Blade."

I like how you think and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

 

[Jim DelRosso]

You like "Dragon's Tail Cut", but have a problem with "wallop" because it is "archaic" and "removed from everyday speech"?

No. I was pointing out that "wallop" was not flavor-free, as was being claimed. Both "wallop" and "Dragon's Tail Cut" have inherent flavor to them; I prefer the latter's.

 

[Baduin]

In capoeira, this move (crouching down and sweeping at an opponent's legs -- in this case with your own leg) is called Stingray's Tail ("Rabo-de-Arraia"). So colorful names do exist in Western tradition.

OTOH, stomping on an opponent's sternum is called "Hammer" ("Martelo"), so there.

If the manouver was called Dragon's Tail, it would be at least short and on topic. Dragon's Tail's cut is too much of a muchness.

 

[Azgulor]

As I said elsewhere...

Don't we already know that dragons can knock people down/back with their tails? If that's indeed the case, Dragon's Tail Cut makes perfect sense--in character, without the need for anime or wuxia influences on the culture or setting--for an attack that knocks people down.

You can try to justify this lemon all you like, but it doesn't make it suck any less. Sometimes a piece of dung is just a piece of dung.

 

[CleverNickName]

A few dozen message board posters saying, "This name sucks" isn't a good reason.

But it is a good reason...probably the best reason of all. Who better to take advice from, than the future customers who will be buying the product? I am both happy and relieved that they are listening to their fan base. Their success depends on us, after all.

My vote is still with "Knockdown." Because it is an attack that, well, knocks you down. If the neighborhood DM wants a more descriptive name, he can give it one that fits his personal game style. In the meantime, everyone else knows at a glance what the ability does and how it works.

 

[jgbrowning]

I wonder if Fireball is getting a more poetic name too.

Fiery Guano Ball?

joe b.

 

[HeavenShallBurn]

Fiery Guano Ball?

joe b.

Explosive Bat
or maybe sanguine blossom of flaming putrescence if they're trying for the knockoff Exalted vibe.

 

[BryonD]

No. I was pointing out that "wallop" was not flavor-free, as was being claimed. Both "wallop" and "Dragon's Tail Cut" have inherent flavor to them; I prefer the latter's.

um, ok.

I think I'll just treat that assessment as I would any other outlier.

Pretty much everyone else on the pro-DTC side is complaining about how dull it is. To claim that "wallop" is a flavor name in the same context of DTC is such an absurd stretch of the meaning of flavor that it just can not be taken seriously. If you are wiling to stretch the concept that far beyond recognition then Power Attack and Cleave are also heavy with flavor.

Back in reality I'll stand by my preference for neutral terms that more freely allow DMs to build the world as they wish.