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<blockquote data-quote="MrMyth" data-source="post: 5348674" data-attributes="member: 61155">Here's the interesting thing - prior to 4E, I felt very similarly. Creative power use equalled abusive tricks, in my mind. Either finding loopholes in the powers themselves, or the ability to have a character's power in the game based on how well the player could fast-talk the DM. &nbsp;In 4E, on the other hand, I've been a fan of creative power use, and encouraged it. Thanks, largely, to page 42 - having a chart with simple guidelines that provide a mechanical way to reward creativity, in a fashion I know won't unbalance the game... is pretty awesome. &nbsp;A player wants to set grease on fire and watch the enemy burn? I check the level of them or their power on the chart, possibly require a skill check or attack to make it happen, and then apply the bonus damage the chart indicates. Or a player wants to use a power in a creative fashion during a skill challenge? Maybe that gets them a free success, or bonuses with certain skills, or other benefits in the challenge. &nbsp;And its true the rules aren't absolutely codified here. More importantly, perhaps, they could stand to add a bit more general guidance to them overall. It is, in some ways, more of an art than science. But it is addressed in the books, and the guidelines are there. For me, that makes all the difference.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="MrMyth, post: 5348674, member: 61155"] Here's the interesting thing - prior to 4E, I felt very similarly. Creative power use equalled abusive tricks, in my mind. Either finding loopholes in the powers themselves, or the ability to have a character's power in the game based on how well the player could fast-talk the DM. In 4E, on the other hand, I've been a fan of creative power use, and encouraged it. Thanks, largely, to page 42 - having a chart with simple guidelines that provide a mechanical way to reward creativity, in a fashion I know won't unbalance the game... is pretty awesome. A player wants to set grease on fire and watch the enemy burn? I check the level of them or their power on the chart, possibly require a skill check or attack to make it happen, and then apply the bonus damage the chart indicates. Or a player wants to use a power in a creative fashion during a skill challenge? Maybe that gets them a free success, or bonuses with certain skills, or other benefits in the challenge. And its true the rules aren't absolutely codified here. More importantly, perhaps, they could stand to add a bit more general guidance to them overall. It is, in some ways, more of an art than science. But it is addressed in the books, and the guidelines are there. For me, that makes all the difference. [/QUOTE]

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