My hope for powers: Powers that use skills

[Stalker0]

We got some info on rogue powers in the new preview. While its certainly not the exhaustive list, one kind of power I hope we see in 4e is what I call a "skill power"

Bo9S had many kinds of skill powers. There were maneuvers that let you make jump checks to do extra damage, concentration rolls instead of damage rolls, sense motive to gain combat bonuses, etc etc.

To me, skills are the most flexible aspect of a martial character. While feats often have a very concrete nature, skill use is often widely dependent on the player's imagination. However, in 3e many skills did not have a strong combat use. Bo9S powers helped to change that, and I hope the trend continues in 4e.

I want to see rogue powers that let you use diplomacy to weaken an opponent's resolve, use sense motive to get an insight bonus to Ac for a round, thievery to perform a disarm attempt, etc.

So here's hoping!!

 

[CleverNickName]

I want to see rogue powers that let you use diplomacy to weaken an opponent's resolve, use sense motive to get an insight bonus to Ac for a round, thievery to perform a disarm attempt, etc.

Agreed. I like the simplification of skill bonuses, and I like the condensed list of skills...but I would not like to see a diminished emphasis on skills. For martial/non-magical classes, skills are the bread and butter of a good character. I hope they continue to be.

 

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

The Rogue utility power seems pretty clearly skill based.

 

[mach1.9pants]

Yep I hope tumble is a taste of a major part of things to come!

 

[FadedC]

Well we know there are powers that have skills as prerequisites. What we don't know is if there are any that require you to actually make a skill check.

What I doubt we will see though is any power that requires you to make a roll and then look up your result on a special table to see what the effect is. Or at least I hope we won't....that seems very much against what 4e is going for.

 

[hong]

I wonder how many people will house rule Tumble into some sort of opposed roll.

 

[Stalker0]

I wonder how many people will house rule Tumble into some sort of opposed roll.

I'd bet money defenders have some kind of power that as an immediate action they can take an opportunity attack against someone whose shifting near them

 

[Fallen Seraph]

I too would hope that skills can be used for "skill powers" or powers that have rolls from skills.

I have seen it used quite effectively in other games so can't see it not working here

 

[jtrowell]

Trickster Rogue
You like powers that deceive and misdirect your foes. You dart in and out of the fray in combat, dodging your enemies’ attacks or redirecting them to other foes. Most of your attack powers rely on Dexterity, so that should be your best ability score. Charisma is important for a few attacks, for Charisma-based skills you sometimes use in place of attacks, and for other effects that depend on successful attacks, so make Charisma your second-best score. Strength is useful if you want to choose powers intended for the other rogue build. Select the artful dodger rogue tactic. Look for powers that take advantage of your high Charisma score, as well as those that add to your trickster nature.

Yes, skills used as an attack roll.

Weapon attack roll :

ability bonus + 1/2 level + wepon proficiency bonus (I expect proficiencies to give a bonus to attack, see war pick entry) + weapon bonus + misc bonus(es) such as weapon focus, or the dagger bonus for rogues

Skill attack roll :

ability bonus + 1/2 level + 5 (if trained) +5 (if skill focus, provided it exists as in Saga)

Same progression here, and being training helps a lot, but not as much as the skill system in 3.5.

 

[kennew142]

Agreed. I like the simplification of skill bonuses, and I like the condensed list of skills...but I would not like to see a diminished emphasis on skills. For martial/non-magical classes, skills are the bread and butter of a good character. I hope they continue to be.

I could have written this post, except that it is short and to the point.