Azzy said:
Depending on encounter type, situation, etc.
Everything depends on encounter type, situation, etc. As a general principle, it nevertheless holds true.
Your assessment is wrong on so many levels. If you're planning an encounter that supposed to equate to a certain EL, chances are you plan for that encounter to devourer the requisite resources. Otherwise, said encounter is going to be of a lower EL.
I'm kind of struggling to visualise an encounter that eats 1/4 of resources that doesn't involve monsters wanting to eat your brane.
Come to think of it, what on earth does the combat/noncombat distinction have to do with anything? Unless you're saying that you have some encounters that specifically involve nothing but out-of-combat spellcasting, in which case you've effectively sidelined all the fighter-type classes.
Then you have very obliging players.
Was I? Might I point out that I have also s been saying for quite a while that the 4E/D mechanic doesn't limit you to this approach. What I have said is that repetitive "kewl power" spamming where players blow their load in each encounter really kills the cinematic quality of the game.
No it doesn't.
1. If everyone is blasting away at full capacity, then chances are it's against tough opposition, and the promulgation of violence and the threat of PC death/severe injury will be enough to ensure cinematic visuals.
2. In terms of between-encounter adventure pacing, ramping up of intensity is achieved by ramping up the opposition. This is just as easily done in 4E as in 3E, but with no unwanted side-effects vis-a-vis class balance or suffering through uninteresting fights at the start.
Yes, I call it cheese. A 2nd-level spell shouldn't be able to grant that kind of advantage.
It's in the game regardless. As are all those other ways to circumvent the paradigm. I guess you could ban them all, but as said, the logical solution is to change the paradigm.
Like I said, you have your preference, enjoy. I'm not asking you to stay with 3.5. What I would like is for you to stop with making false assumption about 3.x's ability to to provide good, solid, fun entertainment.
If you have good, solid, fun entertainment, then you are doing it in spite of the incentives built into the system.