Jason Bulmahn Speaks about DDXP(His take on the system)

[Zinegata]

Why?

Because when they had a chance to feature a 3/Day ability, they made it an "At Will" ability that could just be used 3 times a day.

One of the specific points they said they wanted to address in R&C is the nerfing of character schticks, eg rogues not being able to sneak attack many types of monsters. I have trouble foreseeing wizards being unable to boom spell more than a handful of people over the course of their careers.

Dunno if nerfing schticks was an entirely good thing either, quite honestly.

 

[Zinegata]

The solution to this is to not let it bug you.

Nope, the real solution would be to figure out why they went this route rather than the approach I mentioned.

Because as it stands, basic attacks really feel like a relic that somebody forgot to remove.

 

[hong]

Because when they had a chance to feature a 3/Day ability, they made it an "At Will" ability that could just be used 3 times a day.

Which is the inverse of a per-day ability that can be selected 3 times.

Dunno if nerfing schticks was an entirely good thing either, quite honestly.

Your point being...?

 

[hong]

Nope, the real solution would be to figure out why they went this route rather than the approach I mentioned.

No, the real solution would be to not let it bug you.

Because as it stands, basic attacks really feel like a relic that somebody forgot to remove.

"At-will" does not mean "whenever I want".

 

[fafhrd]

Like I said above though, this seems to be more of "the right tool for the right enemy" approach we're already used to in 3E. Not really any real revolution in terms of how tactics radically change the battlefield.

I give up. I have no idea what would make you happy. Are you worried about being bored or do you want all options to always be optimal? Beats me. LOL

 

[fafhrd]

Nope, the real solution would be to figure out why they went this route rather than the approach I mentioned.

Because as it stands, basic attacks really feel like a relic that somebody forgot to remove.

I think I have a solution for you on this one point. Write in Magic Missile on the front of your character sheet.

 

[Zinegata]

No, the real solution would be to not let it bug you.

You're not helping.

"At-will" does not mean "whenever I want".

Technically speaking, it does.

 

[Zinegata]

I give up. I have no idea what would make you happy. Are you worried about being bored or do you want all options to always be optimal? Beats me. LOL

Neither. I'm trying to figure out why the 4E team made these design decisions, and I'm wondering if they're the right ones.

Honestly, what worries me is that the changes seem to be largely cosmetic when it comes to improving tactical combat. The At-will stuff sounds neat and all, but right now it seems to be a somewhat shallow rehash of the "One spell for the right occassion" tradition we're used to in 3.X. Maybe I'm wrong, or maybe I was just hoping that there would be more emphasis on movement and terrain usage over picking the right tools in 4E.

 

[Zinegata]

I think I have a solution for you on this one point. Write in Magic Missile on the front of your character sheet.

I can remember MM just fine. Again, I'm just wondering why they didn't just remove it.

Again, speaking from the "How did they design this thing?" perspective here, not "How will I play it?"

 

[hong]

You're not helping.

Of course I am. It's not my fault if NOONE LISTENS TO ME.

Technically speaking, it does.

Technically speaking, no it doesn't. Informally speaking, it does.