Paladin's Challenge: Midway between the new and old

[Stalker0]

The problem with the original paladin's challenge was that it allowed a paladin to act "cowardly", he could challenge someone and then run away.

The new version prevents that, but it also limits the paladin's ability to hold down a couple of opponent's.

So we have a midway version that should fix the problems of both:

Insert this change to the paladin's challenge:

"The paladin's challenge remains on an opponent until you change your target, until a new mark supercedes yours, or until you make any movement that puts you farther away from your target."



In this version, the paladin can stand his ground, and call forth and opponent to face him. He can attack one character and challenge another, improving his tanking ability. But he still cannot run from his opponent and prevent his opponent from coming after him.

 

[Oldtimer]

I did exaclty the same thing. Works a lot better than Wizard's fix in my opinion. I like that a paladin engaged in melee still can "pull" another enemy to him.

I also added that a mark that is lost by retreating means you can't use the power until after the end of your next turn. Otherwise you'll see some silly paladins retreating and just remarking, which I'd like to avoid.

 

[Kirnon_Bhale]

I have to say that I like your version more then wizards fix. It definitely suits the tanking that the Paladin does. More evocative, showing a stalwart with enough wisdom to avoid rushing headlong into bad situations just because he wants to keep his mark going.

 

[Syrsuro]

First: By this proposed rule, distance is the relevant question. So attacking and then retreating would still end the Divine Challenge, correct?

And what about forced movement that pushes the Paladin away from the foe? Or movement that pulls/slides the Paladin towards the foe - can the Paladin back off to the original distance and maintain the mark?

Or forced movement that pushes the foe away from the Paladin? And does the answer to this depend on whether the Paladin is the one pushing him away or someone else?

Second: What about the Paladin in my group who has multiclassed into Warlock and, once per encounter, does a Divine Challenge, followed by Eyebite and disappears from the target's view? I presume that the challenge stands (as it would under the current RAW) as long as he doesn't move away?

Of course - given my desire to give the classes more flavor - I'd kinda like to see a dozen different versions of the Divine Challenge with the diety deciding what conditions are appropriate for the challenge.

Perhaps Bahumut requires the paladin to directly confront the foe (must make a melee attack or mark ends) while Kord will not allow you to retreat in the face of adversity (cannot retreat from marked foe or mark ends).



Carl