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Message: <blockquote data-quote="(un)reason" data-source="post: 5904164" data-attributes="member: 27780">Dragon Issue 276: October 2000part 6/7Role models: The writing in this column continues to be pretty short and half-assed. Minis and terrain make it easier for you to determine how much cover bonus your character gets. Gee, you reckon? The previous writers for this column already did that in issue 259. Ok, so the bonuses you get from cover in 3e are better than in 2e, so players might be more inclined to take advantage of it, but still, this is rehashed, shorter, and less helpful. An excellent example of a writer not paying attention to what their predecessors were doing, and wasting our time as a result. PC Portraits: This month's portraits look like they were done in charcoal. Curious. And fairly suitable for the month, since it's dark, brooding heroes again like last year. Not a smile amongst them. Chin up, it might never happen. Actually, it probably has already, given how much players of characters like these like writing up long, convoluted backstories which are more interesting than the adventures they have in play. That's one stereotype that it would definitely be good to see killed in a gruesome and messy manner. But that can only be done if the DM and players work together to make their adventures interesting and dramatic. There's a good achievable target for you to set for yourselves. Sage advice: If you overrun and trip someone can you use improved trip to get a free attack (No. Wrong type of attack action)What does countersong counter (magical sound based attacks of all kinds. If it has no save, it's not applicable though. )Do you need to hear a countersong to benefit from it (no) Do you have to roll for each shuriken when throwing them. (Exception based design strikes back! Yes, but not with the standard penalties.)Can you sneak attack as often as you like (if you have the attacks. This is much easier than previous editions. If you can flank 'em, you can shank 'em)Can you get sneak attack bonuses separately for multiple shuriken in a single blow(No. Insufficient precision)Can weak characters use a mighty bow ( To their normal extent.)Are specializations with normal & composite longbows the same (no)Can you move, turn, take a 5 foot step, and then do a partial charge (No. You fail at understanding the new action system.)Can you do an unarmed attack to deliver a touch spell (if you're willing to wait a turn. This may not be optimal.)Do spellcasting levels from different classes stack (no.)Can you fill spell slots you're not smart enough to learn spells for with metamagic spells (Yes. You can even just use lower level spells. We like flexibility here in 3rd ed land.)If you're paralyzed do you have the same initiative when it wears off (yes. Saves dice rolls.)Do you take buffs with you when you swap bodies (Yes. This may make the transfer obvious. )How many hit points do you have when you bodyswap (As many as that body has. )Why does bull's grace have a save. (Some people are just ungrateful)Can you use a gaze attack while shapechanged (usually, no. There are some weird edge cases though. )Your advice in issue 268 on wall of force contradicts the players handbook (That was last edition. This ……... is now. ) Do you have to decide to use the luck reroll before you know if you succeeded or not (Yes. Lady luck's a bitch. )Does stoneskin protect you from poison. (If it negates all the damage)Continual flame is in the wrong School! (Whatdya know. Skip'd better get errataing. )How does locate object really work (No better than the mind using it in terms of distinguishing classifications. The magic does not have a mind of it's own, and you wouldn't be happy if it did.)</blockquote>

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