Look Ma- Rules Updates!

[renau1g]

I cant help but think it would be good to have a feat "Attack Focus(<class>)" and that you get a damage bonus to all attacks from that class (weapon or implement). Then have it use the same bonus (feat?) as Weapon focus (so they dont stack) and let the players decide which one the prefer.

Weapon focus if you want to multiclass and focus on a particular weapon, Attack Focus if you arent interested in multiclassing and just want a damage bonus for what your class does

Only downside is the Hybrid and MC players, but they're a more narrow subset.

 

[tyrlaan]

Correct, the Assault Swordmage should take Weapon Focus. However, they then only get that damage on half their powers. Why? Are Swordmages so dangerous that they need to be charged another feat to get that damage bonus on their powers that happen to say Implement, while, say, poor old Fighters are so underpowered and low-damage that they need to get damage on all their powers for a single feat? What rationale is there for weakening classes that are designed around using multiple keywords? None—it's bad design to tie mechanical bonuses that should be per-character to random keywords that make them per-character for nearly all characters except for a handful that aren't getting any benefits from being different.

I'm not arguing any of this you know. I'm merely arguing that claiming the swordmage is hosed by this change smacks of hyperbole.

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

Just make Versatile Focus. I actually LIKE that these feats give you a bonus with a specific weapon type. Honestly though, both the Expertise and Focus type feats should just go away. They cramp the design space for more interesting feats too much.

 

[Artoomis]

Take a staff/spear and hafted defense if you want armor back...

I assume that was directed at me and my monk. Thanks for the suggestion. As I am using a club (for more flurry damage) and a Rhythm Blade (dagger) for an extra flurry target, it be a bad choice for me. Unless I can think of something, I am just sucking it up - still, I gained more than I lost, perhaps, depending upon how you count.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Yes, I don´t think you are doing worse...

-1 damage is not noticable. -1 armor is, but having a lot more defenses and possibility to get out of stun (i guess you could afford the 15 wis goody)

also uncanny dodge is something which could be quite useful for a monk.

 

[Prestidigitalis]

For those who argue that Focus feats are stupid because everyone takes them, I counter that it is not whether they are taken but when. I can take them early if they are important to me or later if they are secondary. That kind of flexibility helps make characters unique. Noting that at 30th level all characters of a certain class tend to be about the same is not relevant (even if it were true, which it isn't) given that virtually no characters ever make it that far and those who do spend 29/30th of their existence at lower levels.

As for the form the Focus feats should take, I think the best would simply be "Damage Focus +1/+2/+3". As has been pointed out, the only people to be hurt by the various existing and proposed alternatives are the people whom you do not wish to hurt: "weapliment" users. The only other case would be those who want to use (for example) a Heavy Blade for melee and a throwing hammer for the occasional ranged attack. It's such an infrequent case that handing out the extra damage for the occasionally used secondary weapon just doesn't strike me as meaningful.

In support of the philosophy behind the Essentials line, I say KISS. "Damage Focus" with +1 per tier.

*Expertise is a different matter because of the arguments about "the math". I won't try to address that here.

 

[renau1g]

Or conversely just get rid of those feats and reduce monster hp a bit. Boom, no longer need flavourless feats and fights are less grindy fot those who don't take the DPR pumpers.

 

[Artoomis]

Yes, I don´t think you are doing worse...

-1 damage is not noticable. -1 armor is, but having a lot more defenses and possibility to get out of stun (i guess you could afford the 15 wis goody)

also uncanny dodge is something which could be quite useful for a monk.

Ive heard those 15+ feats mentioned, but I have not yet seen them. I qualify for the REF and WILL feats, but not FORT.

He already does not grant CA for being flanked, so Uncanny Dodge is of limited use, but thanks. That's just the sort of flavor I am going for.

 

[Zaran]

A better solution would be simply to have 'Signature Item Focus' where you 'pick a weapon group or implement type. You get +1/2/3 feat bonus to damage rolls with attacks using that chosen accessory group or type.'

That's the way it was though. It really doesn't seem like a solution to me.

I was expecting alot more changes than this. I guess there is no Weapon Expertise in Essentials and each weapon group has it's own Expertise feat?