On Energy Focus...

[Tequila Sunrise]

I was thinking the other day, "Why not let players mix 'n' match their energy focus feats?" For example if a wizard likes fire and cold spells, he could take 'Flaming Blizzard' instead of having to take Astral Fire and Burning Blizzard. Stat prereqs would look something like this:

Acid: Int
Cold: Wis
Fire: Dex
Lightning: Dex
Necrotic: Con
Psychic: Wis
Radiant: Cha
Thunder: Con

But then I thought "Wait, why do weapon wielders get one feat with no prereqs that affects all their powers, while implement wielders get a bunch of feats with a bunch of prereqs to cover only most of their powers?" So then I thought of simply offering an Implement Focus feat instead.

Thoughts?

 

[Garthanos]

I was thinking the other day, "Why not let players mix 'n' match their energy focus feats?" For example if a wizard likes fire and cold spells, he could take 'Flaming Blizzard' instead of having to take Astral Fire and Burning Blizzard. Stat prereqs would look something like this:

Acid: Int
Cold: Wis
Fire: Dex
Lightning: Dex
Necrotic: Con
Psychic: Wis
Radiant: Cha
Thunder: Con

But then I thought "Wait, why do weapon wielders get one feat with no prereqs that affects all their powers, while implement wielders get a bunch of feats with a bunch of prereqs to cover only most of their powers?" So then I thought of simply offering an Implement Focus feat instead.

Thoughts?

sure
Various fighter powers have tag lines on them which say if using this implement you get this extra benefit. And some of there feats give a bunch of benefits to different stylistically similar powers... (see the style feats)... the wizards of the world need more not less stylish feat benefits (but yeah the +1 on the flaming blizzard might be lame) and would be obviously lame if you have implement focus feat...

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

I don't think I understand what you're saying. Mix 'n' matching would be lame, and Implement Focus would be lamer?

 

[Garthanos]

If you have Implement focus it would show that the mix and match stuff isnt strong enough does that make sense?

Weapon focus makes it hard for me to pick more stylistic feats... which provide damage bonus... so it is better to not have implement focus perhaps?

Just thought this over... I let players reskin there powers fully even swapping out energy when they take them... so yeah the feats are fully approved do you have cool names?

And Implement focus is not functionally different ;-) in this context ... unless the feats bonus compounded... or the user of the Weapon Focus can keep more variety in the style of his powers and still get the boost.

In theory the burning blizzard feat rewards you limiting your characters versatility...(and that I thnk is interesting).

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

If you have Implement focus it would show that the mix and match stuff isnt strong enough does that make sense?

Yes; if I offer IF as an option it would be a pretty clear judgment on my part that mix 'n' match is weak.

Weapon focus makes it hard for me to pick more stylistic feats... which provide damage bonus... so it is better to not have implement focus perhaps?

So you're saying that IF is like the Expertise feats; they're so good that they're hard to pass up, even if other feats are more interesting? I'd say that's pretty accurate. Maybe instead of combining the energy focus feats into Implement Focus, we should split Weapon Focus up into a bunch of specific feats with different prereqs.

Just thought this over... I let players reskin there powers fully even swapping out energy when they take them... so yeah the feats are fully approved do you have cool names?

No; personally I'd rather keep the mix 'n' match names boring so they're easy to keep straight. Like "fire/cold focus" and "psychic/thunder focus."

 

[Garthanos]

No; personally I'd rather keep the mix 'n' match names boring so they're easy to keep straight. Like "fire/cold focus" and "psychic/thunder focus."

ok yeah I see the number would be ummm large


I also let deva pick differing pairs... and similar energy shifts during character design....
fire and ice works fine (angels of vengeance)
fire and radiant (angels of valor)