Multiple Action Points per Encounter?

[msherman]

I've been allowing PCs in my game to use multiple action points per encounter (but only one per round). I'm also fast and loose with the milestones, giving out a full milestone for any L+2 or higher encounter and counting non-combat RP scenes and skill challenges as half-milestone encounters.

So far, I've found that this does a lot to encourage continuing on without resting after every fight. Can anyone think of something important that I'm missing that might make this a bad idea?

 

[Mesh Hong]

If it works for your group then its fine.

Technically (RAW) you are only allowed to use 1 AP per encounter.

The only problem I can think of, off the top of my head is a level 12 Ranger power that gives them a free action that they must use immediately every time it reduces a creature to zero HPs. That could get pretty silly with your set up.

I would just suggest getting into the habit of reading a couple of levels ahead for each of your PCs to see what powers they might have available so you can spot any problems a long time before they become an issue.

 

[msherman]

Yeah, the striker in our party is an archer ranger, he'll defitely be grabbing that PP. I don't think it's that bad, it basically means one extra action point for him each encounter, but he's the striker, he's supposed to be throwing around lots of firepower.

We played yesterday, and there was a lot of ongoing acid being thrown around (a kruthik hive lord, and then some oozes). There were a couple times that people were spending action points more for the free save and hps from the inspiring warlord, than for the extra attack.

 

[Mesh Hong]

Yeah I've re-read Archers Glory, and its an encounter power so it is only 1 extra immediate action point. I don't see that as being a problem with your group as it sounds like they have a lot of action points anyway.

 

[FireLance]

One possible drawback that has been mentioned is that it encourages a playstyle in which the PCs take on several encounters in a row to accumulate action points and then spend them all during the BBEG encounter. However, if your group would otherwise rest after every encounter to regain their dailies, this might actually give them an incentive to continue.

 

[msherman]

I don't really see that as a drawback, actually, but more one of the goals of the house rule. It lets me make the BBEG a slightly bigger threat, and the players really feel heroic when they go nova in the big boss fights. And it encourages a real strategic tradeoff between fighting the BBEG first thing in the morning when you're fresh and rested, vs at the end of the day when you're pumped on adrenaline and riding a wave of momentum.