Saving throws are a coin toss?

[delericho]

It also doesn't make the duration depend on relative power levels any more than the proposed system does and creates extra bookkeeping to boot.

Agreed. Had I been implementing something of this sort, I would have assigned the duration as being 1 round per 5 points the attack beat the defense, or something like that. Of course, that is a significantly more complex rule than the current "roll a save each round to end the effect."

 

[fafhrd]

One of the WotC folks said that they were skeptical of the mechanic but were won over after seeing it in use. I echo this sentiment. I was concerned by the same questions mentioned in this thread. Having seen a variety of continuing effects in play now, I've learned to stop worrying and love the save mechanic. I enjoy the way it cascades. Old effects slowly fall away to be replaced by newer effects.

It was great fun watching the dwarf fighter curse round after round as he failed to save against the dragon's fear aura, and the victory yell when he managed to shake off the acid after only one round. Best of all, non-crunchy player types comprehended the mechanic immediately. It seemed like they were even looking forward to the end of their turns, in the hope that this time they'd be free of the malady. If you have concerns, I suggest you suspend judgment until you have a chance to see it in action. It may surprise you.

 

[I'm A Banana]

I LOVE that duration isn't generated beforehand. Now nobody knows how long an effect willl last, and nobody has to keep track of it. Just roll each round to see if it has ended. Adds some unpredictability to the durations of spell effects, makes it less easy to plan exactly round a specifically known duration, etc.

I agree.

Now if they have some way of working in how it's going to be more potent in an Archmage v. Goblin Baby matchup (that the archmage's spells will last longer against the goblin baby, and that the goblin baby's spells are more likely to get thrown off by the Archmage), we've got a winner.

I'm kind of a fan of the new saving throw mechanic. It feels, for the first time, like it's a throw to save you from something.

But there really does need to be ways for powerful mages to send little goblin babies to sleep for freakin' YEARS.

I think Hong's right in speculating that there will be, and it'll be cool to see it.

 

[glass]

And if the above result is too powerful for their nerfed 4E Wizard, then make it a 2nd or 3rd level spell.

Doesn't matter what level you makes it -action denial becomes more potent as you go up the levels not less.


glass.

 

[Mercule]

Presumably the world's greatest archmage would have a 20th level spell that does something like the 1st level one, but bigger.

I think a fair mechanic would be save DC = 10 + (caster level/2) and the roll is d20 + (defender level/2). I don't know that that's the case, but it seems fair. The 1st (or even 5th) level wizard doesn't have a sure bet against the kobold horde, but the 20th level wizard very nearly does -- except for that 10 base, rather than 11 base).

If there's no scaling of the saves, though, the 10+ looks like a ripe target for a house rule to 11+.

 

[TwoSix]

The term SLEEP has a meaning.

Yes, and falling over imediately isn't one of them. That's called "narcolepsy". And I would so take the Narcolepsy spell for my Wizard.

 

[Cadfan]

Yes, and falling over imediately isn't one of them. That's called "narcolepsy". And I would so take the Narcolepsy spell for my Wizard.

I played alongside a narcoleptic wizard once. Every 15 minutes, he fell asleep for 8 straight hours.

 

[Wolfspider]

I played alongside a narcoleptic wizard once. Every 15 minutes, he fell asleep for 8 straight hours.

Hmm. With a problem like that, it's a wonder how he ever got his spells prepared every day....

 

[D.Shaffer]

But there really does need to be ways for powerful mages to send little goblin babies to sleep for freakin' YEARS.

I think Hong's right in speculating that there will be, and it'll be cool to see it.

I suspect any REALLY long lasting ongoing effect will be tied into the 'Sustain' entry we see marking several powers.

 

[LEHaskell]

I suspect any REALLY long lasting ongoing effect will be tied into the 'Sustain' entry we see marking several powers.

Oh, great! Now the archmage is going to have to years of minor actions just to babysit the kobold! When's he ever going to take an extended rest?