D&D 4E How do you run attack rolls in 4e?

[Shabe]

I know you will more than likely use various methods during a game, but which method do you use most of the time during a heated combat?

 

[deleteme123456]

I've done all of these at some point, mostly writing down or telling the total value. I find that writing down does speed things up a little, if your players trust you (and if they don't, one or both of you have issues).

 

[Lord Sessadore]

I've always asked for their defense score. I have a pretty good memory (at least short-term) for things like that, so I usually only have to ask each player once or twice in an encounter.

Mind you, I haven't run 4e for my group yet. When we last played (in April) we were running 3.5, so there was only AC for me to remember. I imagine I'll write down the PCs defenses for 4e, possibly asking them once per session or so if the numbers I have are right (I probably won't remember to update them every time something changes).

 

[Shabe]

I reckon it would be interesting to compare it against a similar poll in the general rpg forum, see if 4e attracts dms who do it one way compared to another, but maybe thats overkill.

I'm a bit confused how in a public poll that 6 votes in one catagory only has 4 names next to it *shrug*.

 

[WhatGravitas]

I'm a bit confused how in a public poll that 6 votes in one catagory only has 4 names next to it *shrug*.

It's because you can vote as a guest.

Cheers, LT.

 

[Shabe]

Fair enough, a bit silly but ho hum.

Its probably fairer to look at the top two options together because half the point of this is to look at it as a flow of information, does the player know or not what hit total hit him.
I Probably should have forked it from the shield overpowered thread.

So for people who have the defences written down, do you ask the players to state to you every single time when they have their defence raised by having a shield out, being subject of a power/abilty etc? Doesn't that take away the fun when players get to go haha no you don't hit me my AC is now xyz *rasberrys the DM*.

 

[KarinsDad]

You should re-write the third option. It's poorly worded.

 

[Shabe]

You should re-write the third option. It's poorly worded.

Would love to, but you aren't allowed to edit polls, as I suppose you could then mess up the results.

 

[KarinsDad]

Would love to, but you aren't allowed to edit polls, as I suppose you could then mess up the results.

You can edit your first post. People sometimes read the first post before selecting a poll entry.

 

[Tony Vargas]

It seems like 4e is meant to be played pretty 'above board.' You know the details of status effects on you, there are quite a few powers that specify you can decide to use them after hearing the result of attack or damage roll, etc...