Halflings - What's the Attraction?

[Mengu]

As it stands, they cannot use either quarterstaffs or staff implements. I recommend WotC errata it: just giving the staff the Small keyword would fix it.

Maybe halflings will get to use a hoopack as an implement.

 

[Nifft]

You missed Rogue, but sure.

Nah, I'm deliberately ignoring Riposte Strike and Sly Flourish, because Deft Strike and Piercing Strike are just so much better.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Mistwell]

They do seem to make awesome rogues (rangers too I suppose) and their feats appear good for melee types.
But the races (after having read a lot but not played a lot) seem quite unbalanced. Dragonborn breath is an awesome minion killer giving a bit of controller to melee types. Eladrin's fey step has a heap of flexibility and uses. humans extra at will and feat is also pretty cool. Dwarves are OK(esp clerics) but elves seem a bit weak. Tieflings good racial power but halfling and half elves seem really sucky.

Elves rock. You just have not looked close enough. Seriously.

 

[Lord Sessadore]

I agree with Mistwell on the elves. Granted, I haven't been able to play one yet, but hopefully that'll change soon It might be partly that I have a leaning towards quick, silent death machines, and elves in 4e seem to fit that archetype very nicely (fluff-wise at the very least).

 

[Blackbrrd]

Nah, I'm deliberately ignoring Riposte Strike and Sly Flourish, because Deft Strike and Piercing Strike are just so much better.

Cheers, -- N

Huh?

Surely Sly Flourish, Deft Strike and Piercing Strike each has their uses?

Sly flourish when you don't need to move or make a ranged attack and ac/reflex are equal*
Piercing strike when ac>reflex**
Deft strike when you need two extra movement.

Riposte strike is dependant on str which makes it... Not too good.***

*AC/Reflex are often the same for artillery/skirmishers
**Soldiers are the best example, often they have 4-6 higher ac than ref.
***Oki, now it got me thinking. If you are a half-elf fighter with high str and dex. it would.. oh.. half-elves aren't strong or dexterous... ah crap.

 

[Stogoe]

As it stands, they cannot use either quarterstaffs or staff implements. I recommend WotC errata it: just giving the staff the Small keyword would fix it.

Halflings can use the staff as an implement. They just can't swing it around for their basic melee attack.

 

[Nifft]

Halflings can use the staff as an implement. They just can't swing it around for their basic melee attack.

Using an attack power counts as an attack, according to the most recent FAQ.

Halflings do not get the shaft.

Cheers, -- N

 

[IanB]

When you've got a class that actually has 3+ good At-Wills which key off the same stat -- Wizard, Infernal Warlock, Wizard, Con-Star Warlock, Wizard, and possibly Warlord -- then it's good.

For many classes, it's a waste. That's sad, and maybe the splat-books will fix it.

Cheers, -- N

It can also pay off, in theory, if you're willing to stick it out with a full multiclass build, where you can pick that 3rd at will up at 11th level that uses your primary stat from your multiclassing choice.

 

[Nifft]

It can also pay off, in theory, if you're willing to stick it out with a full multiclass build, where you can pick that 3rd at will up at 11th level that uses your primary stat from your multiclassing choice.

Yeah, but you lose out on three non-Power abilities, most of which are really good.

Multi-classing as a Paragon Path substitute is usually a poor choice.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Saeviomagy]

Nah, I'm deliberately ignoring Riposte Strike and Sly Flourish, because Deft Strike and Piercing Strike are just so much better.

Cheers, -- N

Wait... deft strike over sly flourish? You value moving 2 squares before your attack (not shifting - moving, and not after your attack, before) higher than adding your charisma to damage 100% of the time? I could maybe see if you were playing a ranged rogue...

I've also gotten a fair bit of mileage out of riposte strike, both for making myself an unattractive target and for causing damage. I expect it will fall behind in the future though as my strength doesn't keep up with my dex and chr.