Mark & Shift

[MarkB]

Hmmm, missed that.

That's.... odd.

Yeah, the definitions don't really fit with their natural-language meaning - "enemies" basically means "anyone I don't know well enough to consider a team-mate". Not that there aren't D&D groups who apply exactly that definition until proven otherwise.

It makes a degree of sense logically. Basically, the only people you're sufficiently familiar with to either target or exclude specifically as allies are your team-mates - i.e. your fellow party members. Anyone else, if they're in an area affected by an enemies-only power then they'll have to take their chances.

 

[the Jester]

Wait, so nobody is arguing that the bard's power does not require the consent of your ally to place the mark?

I mean, sure, by the "willing" clause in the definition of ally, that is probably true. But it seems to me that the whole point of the misdirected mark is "He did it!!" (points). So what if the fighter says, "Who, me??" The bard is probably more convincing.

I acknowledge that this is a house rule, but it certainly seems fitting to me.

Of course, the way a smart bard uses his misdirected mark is to give the mark to a defender at range from the target. So if the bad guy hits anyone near him, he takes the mark penalty (radiant damage from a paladin, etc).

 

[MarkB]

Wait, so nobody is arguing that the bard's power does not require the consent of your ally to place the mark?

I mean, sure, by the "willing" clause in the definition of ally, that is probably true. But it seems to me that the whole point of the misdirected mark is "He did it!!" (points). So what if the fighter says, "Who, me??" The bard is probably more convincing.

More convincing maybe, but he doesn't have the evidence on his side. To successfully fool the enemy, he needs his buddy to back up his bluff.

 

[DracoSuave]

Of course, the way a smart bard uses his misdirected mark is to give the mark to a defender at range from the target. So if the bad guy hits anyone near him, he takes the mark penalty (radiant damage from a paladin, etc).

I've seen smart bards actually mark a creature to a wizard that they could never reach. Sure, the wizard can't take their hits, but if the creature can't reach the wizard, the creature can't hit the wizard. That made the power a flat -2 to attack, which is okay enough if a defender isn't close at hand to make use of it, or is already taking enough damage as it is.

The wizard bitched, but the bard explained--'You're uninjured, and out of reach. The mark doesn't make you easier to hit, and you can't be hit anyways, so why are you complaining?'