False Bravado (PHB3)

[UngeheuerLich]

It is not useless for melee strikers at all. A mark is one of the worst things that can happen to them.

With appropriate punishment of course. There aresome quite a few soldiers that mark.

 

[Flipguarder]

You could give this to NPCs but I think a much better way of saying "screw you" to your defenders is just to add 2 to all monster attack rolls.

 

[Dr_Ruminahui]

As has been stated, I certainly wouldn't give it to all BBEGs.

That said, giving it to one particular monster is fine - especially if you give it to one that who is intended to be particularly mobile and/or annoying.

We have a reaccuring baddie in the campaign that I play in who has it (or something similar). She's a mercenary that we keep coming across (she keeps having jobs that bring her in conflict with the party) but, for whatever reason haven't had the opportunity to kill her yet. She's a mobile knife fighter, so it suits her pretty well - I know that the last time we met, she put some serious hurt onto my poor drow sorceress.

That said, that particular BBEG is more annoying due to her reoccuring appearances moreso than any particular powers she might have.

 

[DracoSuave]

It is not useless for melee strikers at all. A mark is one of the worst things that can happen to them.

With appropriate punishment of course. There aresome quite a few soldiers that mark.

This. Melee Strikers want to go over and harrass the heavy hitting artillery and annoying controllers. Marking, even without punishment, makes it harder for them to do just that.

The power is situational, but that situation can come up very frequently in many campaigns. It's YMMV.


For monsters tho? It's not appropriate every important monster has access to PC utility powers of any sort. Nor is it appropriate for -any- monster without the requisite skill (few monsters actually have the Bluff skill) to have this power just cause it's handy.

BBEGs should already have fair ways of dealing with defenders. That's good BBEG design. 'No, you don't' as an at-will is NOT.

 

[Mort_Q]

Rangers had this as a level 10 Utility (Move Action) from the get-go. Meh.

 

[bmadden]

Hi
I'm the OP.
Thanks everyone for your thoughtful responses.
I like what chitzk0i said:
"I'd give it recharge 456, but otherwise, an interesting way to spice up a solo fight."
Thanks
Ben