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<blockquote data-quote="brassbaboon" data-source="post: 4967418" data-attributes="member: 66114">I do think the unwillingness to customize due to the desire to use the Character Builder for everything is a pretty serious flaw in the D&amp;D 4e marketing strategy.As I said, I've been a DM for nearly 30 years now, and I have ALWAYS created custom magic items that are specifically intended to help players achieve their character's conceptual goals. I believe I have done a very good job at maintaining game balance while doing so.In 4e if you are discouraged from that sort of thing, I think it significantly detracts from the flexibility and enjoyment of the game. The arm slot problem is a perfect example of what I would address with custom items if I were a DM. I've provided a couple of examples off the top of my head, but given more time, and some specific characters to work with, I could certainly come up with better ideas for reasonable arm slot items that would be comparable in usefulness to the Iron Armbands of Power and would also be quite desirable for certain character builds.One thing I would consider doing is taking a standard set of Iron Armbands of Power and giving them an encounter power that removed any immobilizing effect, but which reduced them to +1 damage for the rest of the encounter. Or something like that. Give the player choices and options that make them balance a gain in one area with a loss in another. That way you increase flexibility while maintaining game balance.I really don't think it would be hard to come up with a dozen or so armbands that would appeal to strikers for different reasons, and I would flat get rid of the stupid items that are out there but only an idiot would choose.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="brassbaboon, post: 4967418, member: 66114"] I do think the unwillingness to customize due to the desire to use the Character Builder for everything is a pretty serious flaw in the D&D 4e marketing strategy. As I said, I've been a DM for nearly 30 years now, and I have ALWAYS created custom magic items that are specifically intended to help players achieve their character's conceptual goals. I believe I have done a very good job at maintaining game balance while doing so. In 4e if you are discouraged from that sort of thing, I think it significantly detracts from the flexibility and enjoyment of the game. The arm slot problem is a perfect example of what I would address with custom items if I were a DM. I've provided a couple of examples off the top of my head, but given more time, and some specific characters to work with, I could certainly come up with better ideas for reasonable arm slot items that would be comparable in usefulness to the Iron Armbands of Power and would also be quite desirable for certain character builds. One thing I would consider doing is taking a standard set of Iron Armbands of Power and giving them an encounter power that removed any immobilizing effect, but which reduced them to +1 damage for the rest of the encounter. Or something like that. Give the player choices and options that make them balance a gain in one area with a loss in another. That way you increase flexibility while maintaining game balance. I really don't think it would be hard to come up with a dozen or so armbands that would appeal to strikers for different reasons, and I would flat get rid of the stupid items that are out there but only an idiot would choose. [/QUOTE]

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