[Exploits] Ranger Daily: Split the Tree

[Wolfspider]

btw 3e had numerous instances of these kinds of effects. I've never heard of people complaining about it in this edition. so why has it suddenly become a problem in the new edition?

What's third edition got to do with it?

Anyway, I have no problems at all with this kind of maneuver. I've seen it enough in movies that it makes sense for a cinematic style combat. Maybe the description of the maneuver needs to be clarified a bit, but it otherwise seems fine with me.

 

[Knight Otu]

1st level is the new 4th level.

That, and Manyshot is essentially an at-will ability, while Split the Tree is a daily ability.

Now, for the real puzzler - How do you explain this Exploit with, say, crossbows? It is a Ranged Weapon power, not a Ranged Weapon - Bow power (or however that would be written).

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

Minimum Greater Manyshot level = 6
Minimum Split the Tree level = 1

So? The OP was complaining that Split the Tree is some kind of magic arrow-steering power, and that this made the ranger into some kind of crazy magic class. However, not only does this power not require a supernatural explanation, but it was also regarded as a perfectly fine thing for a (presumably non-magical) fighter to take in 3e under the name Greater Manyshot, unless you can dredge up some posts decrying this "magikal japenerse anime abilit[y]" to refute me.

The same thing goes for those bringing up star footballers, Legolas and Beckham. None of those guys are 1st level.

None of those guys use magic to aim their arrows or sports equipment, which is the point.

 

[Snarls-at-Fleas]

The flavor text explicity states the arrows split in middair.

Actually no - "You fire two arrows, which separate in mid-flight to strike two different targets".

 

[jaer]

I think it was Costner in his Robin Hood version who ripped off part of the fletching of two arrows, nocked and shot them as one, only to have them veer apart somewhen inbetween him and his targets. Could be faulty memory, though..but i'm sure I saw that scene somewhere. I'd not ascribe magical properties to that ability outright.

Indeed he does.

In fact, as I recall, he seens two horsemen riding at him, grabs and arrow and pulls one out of a dead guy, bite-tears the fletching off of one of the arrows.

I think he does it this way (and this is something I have seen trick archers do before): hold the bow sideways, set one arrow above the handel and the other below it. Hold the arrows together and set the angle of divergence based on were you hold the arrows (i.e., the arrow set properly above the handle, either intend to shoot it straight and pull it straight back, or intend to send it at an angle and pull it lower on the string).

In this case, the reason to remove the fletching is not to make the arrow go off-course, but to because if you don't, the arrow fletchings are smashed together since you are drawing two arrows with one hand and it adds addition drag and could potentially snaggle them together or spring them further apart if they both have feathers.

 

[lkjopajdowma]

The name "exploit" makes sense for martial powers, but I find myself reading through threads and thinking it's a bad thing when someone is talking about an "exploit". My mind registers it as an exploit in the rules to be taken advantage of for a bit.

I'll get used to it, it's just kind of...confusing at the moment. Anyone else having this "problem"?

 

[Knight Otu]

The name "exploit" makes sense for martial powers, but I find myself reading through threads and thinking it's a bad thing when someone is talking about an "exploit". My mind registers it as an exploit in the rules to be taken advantage of for a bit.

I'll get used to it, it's just kind of...confusing at the moment. Anyone else having this "problem"?

That's why I capitalized it in my post above, to make it clear that I'm talking about the game term rather than the common meaning.

 

[Toryx]

The Kevin Costner as Robin Hood thing was exactly what I imagined when I read it, so I'm glad I'm not the only one. As impossible as it may be in the physical world it certainly had a spectacular and not at all magical effect in the movie, and I don't have a problem with it being possible in a game.

Actually, it sounds like a pretty nifty ability to me, though the name isn't one I would have picked.

 

[Wulfram]

1st level is the new 4th level. WotC seems to have realized that making "1st level PC" equal "wet-behind-the-ears novice" is stupid.

There's a long way between "wet-behind-the-ears" and "brilliant master". Of course even a starting hero should be more than competent in his occupation, but that's a long way from being able to pull this sort of thing off.

After all, he's got to have some new, presumably better, tricks to learn at level 2.

That, and Manyshot is essentially an at-will ability, while Split the Tree is a daily ability

While makes no sense at all. Though obviously nonsensical daily restrictions is something I'll have to learn to live with.

So? The OP was complaining that Split the Tree is some kind of magic arrow-steering power, and that this made the ranger into some kind of crazy magic class. However, not only does this power not require a supernatural explanation, but it was also regarded as a perfectly fine thing for a (presumably non-magical) fighter to take in 3e under the name Greater Manyshot, unless you can dredge up some posts decrying this "magikal japenerse anime abilit[y]" to refute me

No, the complaint, as I understood it, was that it was a bit much for the "local woodsman of Daleville Village (who is a level 1 ranger)" (my emphasis) to be able to do this.

None of those guys use magic to aim their arrows or sports equipment, which is the point

It might have been your point, I don't think it was the point of this thread.

 

[LostSoul]

No, the complaint, as I understood it, was that it was a bit much for the "local woodsman of Daleville Village (who is a level 1 ranger)" (my emphasis) to be able to do this.

If the NPC you have in mind shouldn't be able to pull off tricks like this, it's probably not a good idea to give him the abilities to pull off tricks like this.

Make him a skirmisher with Nature and a bow. Then call him a "ranger" in character. At the table, between players, call him a skirmisher.