Official Rules Updates (March 02, 2010)

[Cyronax]

Wow ... quite extreme changes.

It'll take awhile to figure out all the implications. It does seem that WotC is now more explicit about the socalled Expertise 'feat tax.' I had previously disallowed those sort of feats, but I might reconsider now that they're typed bonuses.

I also noticed that Pacifist healer -- the bugaboo of several interwebs arguments -- got changed rather dramatically too.

C.I.D.

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

For the Staff of Ruin change, were some people really arguing that it and Dual Implement Spellcaster gave a total of 4x Enh bonus to damage?

Really?


Our poor barbarian is going to cry. He was rejoicing in his Hide Armor Expertise AC that put him at over the Warden's AC.

Brad

 

[Kzach]

I also noticed that Pacifist healer -- the bugaboo of several interwebs arguments -- got changed rather dramatically too.

The way I interpret the change is that it was a power-up, not a nerf. Clerics can now lay ongoing damage to targets without worrying about being stunned.

 

[Ferghis]

I'm dissappointed that Healer's Mercy and Astral Seal were left unscathed. I am seriously considering a houserule that turns the HP of Astral Seal into temporary HP.

 

[Mengu]

Hellfire Blood now stacks with Weapon Focus.

Yeah it really does help dragon sorcerers, as well as some wizards, hell locks, and few swordmages.

Unfortunately, flaming weapons are still Level 5/10/15/etc. Just waiting one more level gets you an additional +1 on the weapon, and no need for the feat. If they could change flaming weapons to level 2/7/12/etc, that would make the whole endeavor a lot more meaningful.

 

[mkill]

Going through the changes, I don't think any of them affects a PC from my group's current roster. But then we're fairly laid back and don't try to screw the system.

The one with the most far-reaching changes is the ban on keyword stacking: no more Morning Lord + Frostcheese in one character for you. The game is better for it.

I don't agree with the Auspicious Dice nerf, the item is boring and metagamey and should just be banned, period.

On the other hand, whoever nerved grasping javelins is a DM sissy and should have their geek license removed.
SCORPION WINS! FATALITY!

 

[Artoomis]

For the most part, this update is all about pulling back (aka nerfing) on some overpowered, unbalanced rules.

Unfortunately, the gutting of Hide Armor Expertise has so dramatically affected my barbarian that I has to re-tool him as a fighter to preserve his basic concept. Oh, well, so it goes...

 

[Stalker0]

It would be nice to see some more buffs in with the nerfs...I always feel like the errata is always knocking the power out of everything. So of it deserved, some of it not so much.

I think the orb change was a bit too much. I also like the once per encounter, after a saving throw is made you can apply a penalty. Still strong and useful, but not overpowered.


I'm also on the fence on saving throw penalties. My problem with them isn't the duration its the scaling. I often feel that saving throws with no penalty aren't that strong. I would usually rather have a power that lasts "until the end of my next turn". With things like cunning weapons they get a bit better.

I didn't mind that a weapon can give a character -2 on the saving throw powers as long as that's it.

 

[Obryn]

I'm largely in favor. Lots of great stuff - especially the Student of Caiphon radiant stuff. Now we just need a nerf to Eladrin Swordmage Advance!

This is good news, even though I won't be able to play for a few weeks... My wife and my first child was born this past Friday, and we need to get our lives in order first.

-O

 

[MacMathan]

This is good news, even though I won't be able to play for a few weeks... My wife and my first child was born this past Friday, and we need to get our lives in order first.

-O

Congratulations and good luck to you!