Effects lasting until the end of the encounter, w00t!

[zen_hydra]

I don't think that it will be a big deal, as long as one can equate "encounters" with "scenes".

 

[GravyFingerz]

Honestly, this is what we have DMs for.

Good rules of thumb are "has it been 5 minutes" and "did we break out of initiative?"

Those are two good rules of thumb. Is that advice that we will see in the books, or your own nugget of wisdom? I'd like to see it in the books, because, as I said, good rule of thumb. If not, I will keep this secret to myself and forsake all others to my knowledge.

 

[delericho]

Very cool, but the new argument will be when does one encounter end and another starts.

I think the key is to tie enough positives and negatives to "the end of the encounter" that it largely becomes just a matter of picking a time that feels right to everyone.

If you regain 50% of lost hit points at the same time as your Bull's Strength wears off, you're unlikely to complain whichever way the DM rules.

 

[Nine Hands]

Well for stuff that lasts an "encounter", when used out of combat would last a "scene". Since I run most of my games in an episodic format, this is easy to deal with.

I've also come to the conclusion that "per Day" abilities can be used once per game session. It makes things a little easier on the players and myself.

 

[Li Shenron]

From the point of view of the gaming rules, it certainly makes life a little easier not to have to count rounds.

A little sad to know that I'll miss the shiver about seeing a buff wears off a bit too early...

Some questions will also certainly be raised when someone will try to run an army scene and all buffs will last two hours.

 

[Aloïsius]

So, I guess we won't see PC fall to their death because of an ending "fly" spell or this kind of things.

 

[jasin]

What glad news that buffs just last until the end of the encounter, and that's it.

This was stated by the designers? I missed it. Things certainly seem to be moving in that direction, but I don't remember anyone actually saying that this is how it's going to be done in 4E.

 

[Deset Gled]

In principle, I am opposed to this change. Too much room for abuse, too many gray areas, too little challenge to the players. But I will reserve my judgement until I see the final version in the books. I'm also assuming that we will see some very detailed information about what constitutes an encounter. If the books just hand wave it as "whatever the DM decides" I'll be really disappointed.

 

[Gundark]

Some questions will also certainly be raised when someone will try to run an army scene and all buffs will last two hours.

Logan said something about 5 minutes up in his post, maybe there is still a time limit to some spells.

 

[sidonunspa]

I like the per-encounter abilities, and the fact that buff spells last the encounter...

But,

Am I the only one worried that the game will end up feeling a lot like (need to be careful here because I know where this can go) playing my world of warcraft character.

Now before we all go off the deep end, let me explain...

When I play my character I have a set strategy, I always cast the same spells, in the same order…

Why do I feel like we may see the same thing in 4e, players will always open up with the best per encounter buff they have, seeing it lasts till the end of the encounter, get it out as fast as you can.