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Message: <blockquote data-quote="KarinsDad" data-source="post: 5163051" data-attributes="member: 2011">Yes, I am making the general assumption that At Will powers are more or less balanced (obviously, some are better than others) based on the power in a vacuum because WotC really cannot analyze them outside of a vacuum. As one example, Reaping Strike for a 50% chance to hit = 50% x damage plus 50% 1/2x damage = 75% x damage. That's equivalent to +5 to hit. But, it is a damage only power. Do I consider the equivalent of a +5 to hit that will definitely happen in this round about the same as +3 to hit that may or may not happen in the next round (typically without an action point) on a stronger and/or more useful power? Yup. Pretty much. From an action economy POV, it's almost always better to be damaging foes earlier in an encounter as quickly and as hard as the party can manage.I think that the "Encounter powers being used later in the encounter" issue I noted was never even thought of by the designers. I think the thought never crossed the designer's minds. Look at Draco. He opines that the issue I brought up doesn't even happen.How is +3 against the same foe next round for this power any different than +3 against the same foe for Righteous Brand?Righteous Brand is actually slightly better in some ways because the Cleric can (delay and) act shortly before the Fighter (i.e. can have less of a wait than waiting 8 or 10 or more turns before the Fighter can act again), before a foe or other allies (by killing the foe) can try to prevent the bonus.The 'extra' +1 that you specify could be an actual compensation as you theorize, but this seems extremely unlikely. More like wishful thinking. What seems more likely is that WotC tried to balance Shield Feint against powers like Righteous Brand which does not typically have the "used early in an encounter" issue.Righteous Brand is a "often use in early rounds" power because it gives a bonus for other PC's Encounter powers. Cleric Encounter powers are more often useful later in an encounter when other PCs are harmed and/or hindered.</blockquote>

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