Should ability damage gain other damage bonuses? (is reaping strike good at 30th?)

[Stalker0]

Here's a thought.

At 1st level, a fighter with a greataxe would do 2d6+5 on his normal attacks, and 5 damage with reaping strike. Not bad.

At 30th. He might do 4d6+10 (str) + 3 (weapon focus) + 6 (magic) = 4d6 + 19 on an hit, and 10 on a miss.

Suddenly reaping strike isn't looking so hot anymore. And this applies to any power that only deals ability damage. So the question, should these powers also get to add feat, magic, and other misc damage bonuses that you apply on the weapon damage?

 

[Mengu]

I thought about this too, but I think there is a lot of abuse potential for it at low to mid levels. I would just chalk these up to some of many powers that don't scale entirely too well with levels. But that's why we've got retraining. And even 8-9 points of damage on a miss at epic levels doesn't seem so terrible, especially if you are having difficulty hitting your target due to being blind and affected by a fear aura or some such. You don't want to waste encounter or daily powers under these conditions, and Reaping Strike can be a good alternative.

 

[Stalker0]

I thought about this too, but I think there is a lot of abuse potential for it at low to mid levels.

A valid point. Perhaps some sort of static scaling effect would be useful, similar to the paladin's challenge.

Reaping does your strength at heroic, strength +2 at paragon, strength + 4 at epic, or something similar.

 

[Syrsuro]

I'd say, no.

I see no reason to mess with the basic math. Because once you change that, you have to change Cleave. And once you change those two, you end up having to change Sure Strike (because the more additional damage you do, the less significant the bonus to hit is.)

And then you start looking at the encounter abilities - because I'll bet there's a few that will look useless compared to the new Reaping Strike and Cleave. For example, the more damage you do on Reaping Strike, the less useful Passing Attack becomes because you have to roll to hit with Passing Attack, but Reaping Strike and Cleave are automatic.

Etc.

The point of the At-will is to make a SINGLE scaled attack, with a small benefit to make it better than your basic melee. Not to make two scaled attacks. If you want to make multiple scaled attacks, that would be an Encounter ability.

Carl

 

[Stalker0]

I'd say, no.

I see no reason to mess with the basic math. Because once you change that, you have to change Cleave.

Even though cleave gets a little weaker at high levels, its main power is in killing minions. So to that end the damage doesn't matter.

 

[fba827]

Also, don't forget as Martial Power and other stuff comes out, you'll be able to swap out Reaping Strike once it gets to be less effective.

Of course, this is contingent on what your opinion is of the not-yet released expanded options.

 

[Dausuul]

Here's a thought.

At 1st level, a fighter with a greataxe would do 2d6+5 on his normal attacks, and 5 damage with reaping strike. Not bad.

At 30th. He might do 4d6+10 (str) + 3 (weapon focus) + 6 (magic) = 4d6 + 19 on an hit, and 10 on a miss.

So, assuming max Strength, on average, you're looking at:

1st level: 12 on a hit, 5 on a miss
30th level: 33 on a hit, 10 on a miss

More realistically, you're probably looking at something like:

1st level (Str 18): 11 on a hit, 4 on a miss
30th level (Str 26): 31 on a hit, 8 on a miss

You're going from doing 36% damage on a miss, to 26%. The damage does fall off a bit, but it's still pretty solid. Don't see what's wrong with that.

 

[jayphonic]

Its a hell of a lot better than a basic attack!

 

[Khanedur]

Actually, you can boost your static damage with reaping strike within the rules. Hammers Rhythm and Scimitar's Dance would likely give you better than a +2 when you hit 11th level.

And while there is nothing you can do at epic to enhance that, I don't think its intentional but rather a simple lack of space dedicated to all things epic.

Sure you have to plan for it, but it fits in keeping with the design philosophy I've seen where everything the player wants is a trade off.

 

[Pickles JG]

Actually, you can boost your static damage with reaping strike within the rules. Hammers Rhythm and Scimitar's Dance would likely give you better than a +2 when you hit 11th level.

Both of those feats only work if you would not otherwise do damage - no stacking.