Really, the problem is the rule. It should really say "A creature can take a free action to use an attack power that isn't normally a free action only once per turn." Free Action attack powers are inherently limited--they specify how often they can be used, or are used based on a limited and very specific trigger. It's only when you have multiple properties or powers that let you make lots of attacks on a turn that things become a problem--and that's typically because of abilities that let you use -other- powers as free actions.
Scout: Dual Weapon Attack & Power Strike interaction
- Thread starter Nikosandros
- Start date
kaomera
Explorer
Well, RAW is RAW. You don't have to play it that way, for sure, but just because you don't doesn't change what the RAW is (are?). And I wasn't trying to offer an alternate interpretation of the RAW: it's pretty straightforward, as both powers are free-action attack powers you can't use both on the same round by RAW, period.
Rules as Intended, which is something that I think a lot of groups strive to play within, is a different thing - but it's also quite subject to interpretation and personal bias. I don't know exactly what was intended when the rules where written, and I would contend that no single person does for a game like D&D. It's my belief that disallowing use of both powers in a single round makes less sense as RAI than allowing both does.
But for me what it comes down to is: what is, overall, the most fun? I don't think allowing both Dual Weapon Attack & Power Strike harms the fun of the game, and I do think it will make things more fun for the Scout, so therefore (in the absence of reasonable complaints from any other players) I'd allow it. I'm just not trying to say that RAW supports it, because I don't think it does.
So, for instance, if another DM hasn't said otherwise I would assume that combining these would not be allowed, and I would ask before I rolled up a Scout, to be sure. I think that in most cases she'd allow it, but it's certainly not a sure thing (there are plenty of situations where cleaving as close to RAW as possible is warranted) and I wouldn't be upset or think that she was being a bad DM at all if she disallowed it.
DracoSuave
First Post
RAW, you can't.
RAMT (Rules at my table), you can.
RAMT (Rules at my table), you can.
I do agree that the Power Strike EP should be a utility... But, i personally think the Scout class has the potential of being, by far, the best striker class, even without the PS...
If a Scout hits with a BA you can use Dual Strike... Dual Strike is a 2nd damage roll in the same round. This is basically 2 attacks every round... rolling dice damage, imo, will always trump the extra stat modifier you add to damage from such classes as the Slayer... amirite? lol
naturally, you have to hit... but that goes for everyone lol
Maybe that's why they say "NO" to using Power Strike with Dual Strike, cause it's already kinda OP
... (dont get me wrong, i still think PS should be utility, since it's adding to an attack, rather than being an attack itself)That wouldn't work, because the Dual Weapon Attack power is already limited to only work during the Scout's turn.
Prestidigitalis
First Post
DWA requires TWO hits, so that even if you hit on a 6, for example, there is a 43.75% chance that the DWA will either miss or never be triggered. More than half of the Scout's damage comes from Dual Weapon Attack because DWA gets up to +6 damage at epic tier. Put those two together, and the majority of the Scout's damage has a real chance of evaporating.
By comparison, the Slayer needs only a single hit, can use a single, bigger weapon, can be easily optimized into a charge build, and applies every scrap of built-in damage to both OAs and granted attacks.
lol?
DracoSuave
First Post
It's not as simple as that. You also have your Aspect, and either a +1 to hit or a +2 to damage for all your attacks, and you do not have a secondary attribute to affect damage.
So, you can more safely go into a 20 Dexterity than a slayer can into Strength, and your aspects do more than a Slayer's stances.
For example, the Slayer can go into a stance that gives him +1 to hit... yours can give you +1 to hit and +2+/3+/4+ to damage at the same time. As well, any bonus he has to damage applies only once. For you, you get that bonus once, and then you have a chance to get it again. You're double dipping. While it's not the same level of double dipping as Twin Strike, it's way more than a Slayer can get his hands on.
Prestidigitalis
First Post
Those are valid points. My comments about the Slayer were spur of the moment -- I don't pretend to have a good feel for the actual math.
My first point, about DWA damage being conditional and not (lol) a given was the main thing I wanted to say.
Prestidigitalis
First Post
BTW, I love the Scout for Aspects (though the Hunter's selections are slightly better), and for all of the cool utilities available -- either the new Dailies or the old Ranger options.
