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Message: <blockquote data-quote="DonAdam" data-source="post: 5824160" data-attributes="member: 2446">Stances serve several important functions.1) They allow "siloing" of bonuses. That is, if you're using stance x you're not using stance y, so we bypass stacking issues. This advantage is shared by powers.But relative to other powers, they have several other differentiating features.2) They apply to all opportunity attacks and other similar features. This means that they feel like knowledge of a technique rather than drawing on a power source, which is (IMO) one thing you want from an interesting martial option. Of course, you could make all martial powers "basic attacks," but... 3) They are more discrete than other powers. Assuming you can only change stances on your turn, then you're stuck with the benefit until your next turn. This is less powerful than letting any martial power be used as a basic attack, but I like it for two reasons:a) Out of turn actions resolve more quickly. No choice anxiety between your many options.b) You create the possibility of more interesting tradeoffs and tactical decisions.I heart stances.Even weapon specialization might be better handled with stances. If you specialize, you get (e.g.) two stances that can be used with a single weapon rather than one that can be used with all weapons. A longsword specialist knows a hundred ways to cut you with a longsword, but when it comes to ranged combat he doesn't have as many options. That way weapon specialization doesn't have to be flatly mechanically superior for a given attack, and is instead a tradeoff also (maybe not enough of one, but it's a start).</blockquote>

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