More Fighter Powers: Swordsman's Gambit and Fortress Strike

[comrade raoul]

This grows out of my earlier attempt to design a fighter power that did more damage but created extra risks for attackers. I want powers that feel like defender powers, not striker powers.

Here's one that's Dexterity-oriented but might fit the bill.

Swordsman's Gambit -- Fighter Attack 1
You make a swift and deadly lunge at your opponent, but leave your side exposed.
At-Will <> Martial, Weapon
Standard Action -- Melee weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Strength vs. AC, with a power bonus to the attack roll equal to half your Dexterity modifier.
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier + Dexterity modifier damage.
Increase damage to 2[W] + Strength modifier + Dexterity modifier at 21st level.
Miss: You provoke an opportunity attack from your target.

Note that it's hard to find a secondary ability score for fighters, since they can be so diverse--this one is more appropriate for blade users than axe or hammer ones. So here's another power for heavier weapon users--this one should be evocative of 3e's dwarven defender. The effect of both powers might mean that fighters can identify with particular weapons even more.

Fortress Strike -- Fighter Attack 1
You take advantage of your firm positioning to put your all into a blow.
At-Will <> Martial, Weapon
Standard Action -- Melee weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Strength vs. AC.
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage.
Increase damage to 2[W] + Strength modifier at 21st level.
Special: If you have moved no more than one square since the end of your last turn, add your Constitution modifier to your damage roll.

 

[comrade raoul]

Finally, consider another Dex-flavored fighter power. This is an alternative to the first, but arguably stays closer to the class's core defender roots. Which is better?

Swordsman's Retort -- Fighter Attack 1
Taking advantage of the opening left to you by your enemy's attack, you strike quick and cut deep.
At-Will <> Martial, Weapon
Standard Action -- Melee weapon
Target: One creature who made a melee attack against you since the end of your last turn.
Attack: Strength vs. AC.
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier + Dexterity modifier damage.
Increase damage to 2[W] + Strength modifier + Dexterity modifier at 21st level.

 

[Fredrik Svanberg]

I don't like adding half of anything. I have mathematically challenged friends.

I wonder if it'll be hard to keep track of the requirement on the Swordsman's Retort power.

Also, it's not clear to me why these are called Swordsman's Retort and Swordsman's Gamble. They don't require that you use a sword, after all.

 

[generalhenry]

swords are the best dexterity weapons.

 

[Fredrik Svanberg]

Perhaps, but the way these powers are written, any weapon becomes a good Dex-weapon. Not that I have a problem with that, but it makes the names seem odd.

 

[Stalker0]

I like swordsman's retort. Its a strikeresque power in the way it deals extra damage, but very defenderish in the way its carried out. What you could is instead of adding dex to damage add it to the attack role. Then it serves as a better replacement for sure strike, doesn't start messing on the striker's toes when it comes to damage, and gives the fighter a solid reward for taking hits.

The other two I don't like as much, especially fortress strike. I know what your going for, but again the fighter is a defender not a striker, who should not be doing a lot of extra damage with his at-wills.

 

[generalhenry]

Its a strikeresque power in the way it deals extra damage, but very defenderish in the way its carried out.

hmm

Target: One creature who made an attack against an ally since the end of your last turn.

 

[comrade raoul]

I know what your going for, but again the fighter is a defender not a striker, who should not be doing a lot of extra damage with his at-wills.

The paladin's Holy Strike (Str + Wis damage against marked targets) is my baseline here. Note that both Swordsman's Retort and Fortress Strike are more limited than this and Sly Flourish, the other apply-two-abilities at-will.

As for Fortress Strike, the hope was that it was defender-y in the sense that it's supposed to reward fighters who boldly stand their ground or whatever. You can't really use it against opponents who didn't attack you or someone near you recently.

Perhaps, but the way these powers are written, any weapon becomes a good Dex-weapon.

If you don't like the "Swordsman's" part of the name, and think "Cutting Retort" is too glib, I'd substitue "Duelist's Retort" or "Iron Rebuke."