Opinion on Escape Powers

[Maximilia]

Hey y'all. Yet another question, although this one more of an "opinion" question rather than answering a mechanics question. My DM says that Wizard's Escape (even nerfed down to a daily) is still an autowin button, that the power is broken. As an encounter, yeah, I'd agree with that, but... it's a difference of opinion there.

So, it got me to thinking. What do other DM's and players think about autoescape powers like that? Especially if they are immediate interrupts. Game- or fun- breaking? In line with other powers? Overpowered?

 

[Gadget]

I don't see how it qualifies as an "autowin" power? Maybe an auto-get-out-of-jail once a day if there is a a space within 5 squares that is not adjacent to an enemy, but hardly autowin. There is nothing to stop the enemy (or his allies) from perusing the wizard after the power is used, although it is handy to get a head start on a quick retreat if that is what the situation calls for.

 

[Aulirophile]

Soft targets get escape powers: news at 11.

Hell, was fine as an encounter. You're supposed to stand in the back, hundreds of encounters I didn't use the thing at all because I didn't let anything near me to begin with.

 

[Saeviomagy]

I'm going to say it was probably a bit too good as an encounter, but as a daily it's fine and possibly even on the weak side (but that really depends on how aggressive you are).

Basically if you're the sort of mage who gets regularly targeted, then it's too good as an encounter and too weak as a daily. Since this is breaking some of the assumptions made about mages, that's fine.

If you're the sort of mage who is rarely targeted, then it was fine as an encounter and it's still fine as a daily.

If your DM actually labelled this an "autowin" power, then... wow...

 

[Aethas]

I think this power is fine as is. More than once I've been in an encounter where this has happened:

DM: The goblin hits you with his sword.
Me: I teleport away.
DM: *sigh* Fine, this other goblin moves toward you and hits you with his sword.
*wizard gets turned into a pincushion*

Unless you find some way to keep enemies completely away from you after the teleport, it's not "autowin" or even broken, in my opinion.

 

[Majoru Oakheart]

Unless you find some way to keep enemies completely away from you after the teleport, it's not "autowin" or even broken, in my opinion.

Honestly, it depends on the situation. We often fight really nasty monsters. Often they split up and attack everyone in the party or at least only the nearest PC.

I don't have that power, but I remember going multiple battles without being hit and one combat a spider shifted halfway across the battle to hit me. And they were hitting for nearly half my hitpoints in one hit. I used shield to protect myself, but if it was one of the times when shield wouldn't work, completely avoiding the damage was extremely powerful.

If I knew I had the ability to avoid one hit entirely every combat, I'd probably put myself in a lot more risk than I do with my wizard now. And I'd be a lot more willing to make up a melee/close blast wizard.

 

[eamon]

Soft targets get escape powers: news at 11.

Hell, was fine as an encounter. You're supposed to stand in the back, hundreds of encounters I didn't use the thing at all because I didn't let anything near me to begin with.

This. It wasn't really that problematic to start with, and it certainly isn't now - you're just negating one hit in a combat, which is hardly a biggy in an average combat. Shield is likely better now...

In particular, if as is usual, the wizard isn't in any particular danger in an encounter the change just doesn't matter; whereas if he's the center of attention one round of avoiding (at best) isn't game-breaking.

DM's like their monster's tricks to work too, and this power feels annoying in that way - calling it an auto-win is an absurd exaggeration probably born of that frustration, not a reasonable judgement.

 

[Maximilia]

As the wizard (and one of the two powergamers in the group, I admit), I do often get targeted. I'm a Staff of Defense wizard, so in addition to Wizard's Escape, I have the Staff (only +2 atm, sadly) and Shield in my repertoire. Perhaps in conjunction with the other two is what he meant by "autowin"--I rarely get hit. But when I do, it's usually something really nasty (and against fortitude much of the time), and there go half my hit points, lol.

What other classes have escape powers akin to Shield or Wizard's Escape? And what monsters have similar powers?

 

[Aulirophile]

As the wizard (and one of the two powergamers in the group, I admit), I do often get targeted. I'm a Staff of Defense wizard, so in addition to Wizard's Escape, I have the Staff (only +2 atm, sadly) and Shield in my repertoire. Perhaps in conjunction with the other two is what he meant by "autowin"--I rarely get hit. But when I do, it's usually something really nasty (and against fortitude much of the time), and there go half my hit points, lol.

What other classes have escape powers akin to Shield or Wizard's Escape? And what monsters have similar powers?

Sorcerers, Rangers, Rogues, for three. I'm not familiar enough with every classes powers but I'm going to take a safe bet: All strikers and Controllers have an escape utility power.