Player's Handbook 2: I haz it

[CelticMutt]

The spoilers I read at RPGNet said Wisdom. That one was, IIRC, based on a half-orc avenger folks got a preview of, so Dave's PHB2 preview trumps it, unfortunately. Few dual stats make sense for the orc, but I found Wisdom to be about as reasonable as it gets. Dex, less so.

Honestly, the half-orc hardly needs two complimentary ability score boosts, as he three really, really good class features that smack of power creep all by themselves.

Dex is still the confirmed stat, repeatedly. And there's nothing "power creep" about their racials. Gnomes and Devas are far closer to that than Half-Orcs.

 

[fissionessence]

About the druid's animal-themed feats . . . do any of them encourage you to take on specific animal shapes, in order to distinguish a wolf wild shape from a panther wild shape? I know there are utility powers like skittering sneak, but I'm just talking about wild shape enhancements.

The reason I ask is that after the initial druid preview in December, I pitched a Class Acts article that never got a response, but I'm writing it anyway for a Silent7Seven Games release. It's basically a series of feats that only work when you're manifesting the correct animal/beast shape, so I want to make sure it doesn't have much overlap with existing feats.

Thanks!

~ fissionessence

 

[Inyssius]

About the druid's animal-themed feats . . . do any of them encourage you to take on specific animal shapes, in order to distinguish a wolf wild shape from a panther wild shape? I know there are utility powers like skittering sneak, but I'm just talking about wild shape enhancements.

Feats? No. Thank god.

The reason I ask is that after the initial druid preview in December, I pitched a Class Acts article that never got a response, but I'm writing it anyway for a Silent7Seven Games release. It's basically a series of feats that only work when you're manifesting the correct animal/beast shape, so I want to make sure it doesn't have much overlap with existing feats.

I personally would despise such official incentives for fluff specialization. The biggest thing about the druid, shaman, and warden now? The thing I really, really love? The way you can decide for yourself what your wildshapes, forms, and spirit look like. I don't want a wolf, I want an angel. Or an otyugh. Or a six-armed ethereal owlbear with an emphasis on mobility instead of raw power. Or myself, holding magic daggers. It is very easy to choose your own flavor now as far as I've seen, and have that flavor match the mechanics regardless of how outlandish that flavor is; and I would hate to see that passed over in favor of someone who prefers druids as A MOOSE AND NOTHING ELSE BUT.

Well, your mileage may vary. And obviously does. I have no problems with that, I guess.

(on an entirely unrelated note, good lord. Is there any particular reason why all the ENWorld smilies look so dumb?)

 

[Campbell]

I don't see why Strength and Dexterity would be seen as more complementary than Strength and Wisdom given the way 4e is structured. So far, the only classes really prioritize Strength and Dexterity in the same build are Fighters and Rogues, although Barbarians and melee oriented Rangers definitely benefit from the Dexterity. Strength and Wisdom are important to weapon using Clerics, melee-focused Rangers, Wardens, Strength-focused Paladins, and Fighters.

One interesting element of Half Orcs receiving boosts to Strength and Dexterity is that it promotes using the race in a manner that is consistent with their initial appearance in AD&D where they had decent progressions as Fighters, Thieves, Thief-Acrobats, and had an unlimited progression as Assassins. They could be clerics, but only had a minimal progression.

 

[ppaladin123]

I don't see why Strength and Dexterity would be seen as more complementary than Strength and Wisdom given the way 4e is structured. So far, the only classes really prioritize Strength and Dexterity in the same build are Fighters and Rogues, although Barbarians and melee oriented Rangers definitely benefit from the Dexterity. Strength and Wisdom are important to weapon using Clerics, melee-focused Rangers, Wardens, Strength-focused Paladins, and Fighters.

One interesting element of Half Orcs receiving boosts to Strength and Dexterity is that it promotes using the race in a manner that is consistent with their initial appearance in AD&D where they had decent progressions as Fighters, Thieves, Thief-Acrobats, and had an unlimited progression as Assassins. They could be clerics, but only had a minimal progression.

One of the best, high-damage builds involves the storm warden paragon path for two-weapon melee rangers. Most of its special features are keyed off of the character's dexterity score. Half-orcs have the ideal stats for that build.

 

[WalterKovacs]

Back on tpoic, could someone explain how Coordinated Explosion and Restful Healing work?

After a rest (either short or extended), you maximize healing done before the next encounter. (i.e. a cleric's healing word wouldn't roll the 1d6's instead just assuming you've maxed out the rolls).

It basically encourages/rewards the players for taking multiple short rests in a row and using their healing word to maximize healing.

 

[andarilhor]

After a rest (either short or extended), you maximize healing done before the next encounter. (i.e. a cleric's healing word wouldn't roll the 1d6's instead just assuming you've maxed out the rolls).

It basically encourages/rewards the players for taking multiple short rests in a row and using their healing word to maximize healing.

Seems to me as a way to give other leaders a little of the bard song of rest, and maybe raising this bard ability itself.

 

[jgsugden]

I would be curious to hear more about some of the paragon and epic tier feats that do not have racial or class prerequisites.

 

[malcolm_n]

I would be curious to hear more about some of the paragon and epic tier feats that do not have racial or class prerequisites.

I second that emotion. Any cool hints you can provide? Thank you much.

 

[Allaric]

Half-Orc Languages

Do half-orcs speak the Giant tounge by default?

Thanks.
-Allaric.