Tiers Excerpt (merged)

[Alraiis]

On second thought, you folks must be right. Ability modifiers don't go up with the 1/2 level bonus; looking at the war devil's stats, his claw and trident are clearly getting his +8 Str modifier (27/2-5) instead of the +19 that follows the Str score.

After all, a scaling modifier would make the ability score increases kind of underwhelming. Without it, boosting the base score with those increases is the only way to increase the modifier to damage or power secondary effects.

The 27 (+19) notation is still fairly bizzare to me, though. How often does that +19 come up?

(I'm getting way off topic, to boot. I'm not even talking about the tier excerpt anymore!)

 

[ashockney]

I have to say it.

Kudos to the WoTC crew on the EXCELLENT preview. At last! I'm loving it.

Kudos on the content.

Powers/abilities, for all classes, that are relatively easy to manage in number.

Outstanding all around.

Game on!

 

[Kordeth]

The 27 (+19) notation is still fairly bizzare to me, though. How often does that +19 come up?

Any time the War Devil needs to make a skill check that isn't Intimidate.

 

[Quickleaf]

Paragon Paths and Epic Destinies

So, judging by the chart, Paragon Paths & Epic Destinies don't provide many powers. Is this right? It doesn't make much sense, for example, that an Epic Destiny provides just a Utility power at 26th. Have there been other bits released about paragon paths/epic destinies to fill in the gaps?

 

[DandD]

Nope, we know nothing about Paragon Paths and Epic Destinies. Perhaps they'll release some information about it later, but for now, nada.

 

[Shroomy]

Nope, we know nothing about Paragon Paths and Epic Destinies. Perhaps they'll release some information about it later, but for now, nada.

On another thread, Bart Caroll said that they would be going over Paragon Paths and Epic Destinies in the next two weeks.

 

[A'koss]

...and the ability score increases, which WOULD increase damage, if it were in STR. We still don't have a definitive on the "+1/2 level to dmg" thing.

I do recall WotC saying early on in the 4e previews that they weren't going this route.

 

[Steely Dan]

After looking at all of the 4th Ed monsters we have seen so far, the rogue powers, and the spells, I am pretty sure that 1/2 level is not added to damage.

Instead you will have things such as 2 [W] + Dex modifier and other goodies.

When you see the term "Dex vs. AC", that is the number in parenthesis after the score, when you see the term "+ Dex modifier" that is the pure bonus from the score.

…I think.

 

[jasin]

Sounds to me like you're being way easy on your PCs. Here's a situation that actually happened in my game. Four 11th level PCs (all very buff, with especially high stats and wealth equivalent to that recommended for 13th level characters) attack a Daask drug den for sh*ts and giggles. This Daask drug den is well-defended, with the presence of a raiding party that is going to attack a Boromar holding, but still only has an Adept8, two ogre Bbn1/Ftr2s and a bunch of elite gnolls (3 lvls each, so CR 4s).

The result? Two captured PCs (one going below -10) and two wounded PCs fleeing in terror, with the captured ones having to make an agreement to not bother Daask in order to get out alive.

I'm dying to know the details.

 

[Cirex]

I'm so glad that WotC learned something from WoW. Just like in previous editions of D&D, WoW has far too many spells at higher levels. Yes, spells are upgraded as you gain levels, but there are just too many of them.

I love that you replace lower level powers with higher level ones. It makes things so much simpler and straight forward. In a given encounter you're not having to look up the effects of a massive amount of spells which you should cast. You have the same spells for a few levels, then swap out a lower level one, you have those for a few levels, lather, rinse, repeat.

I imagine it would be so much easier to know exactly what you can do. Rituals I'm sure are a different story, but still.

This makes me so happy.

Well, I disagree.

This is what a holy paladin uses while raiding:
-Cleanse.
-Flash of Light (VERY often)
-Holy Light.
-Holy Shock (since it was buffed at 2.4).
-Concentration aura.
-Bubble when required.

This is what a retribution paladin uses while raiding:
-Crusader Strike.
-Judgement of Blood/Command.
-Judgement.

This is what a destruction warlock uses while raiding:
-Shadow bolt.


There are not too many of them. The spells you used at low level are probably the same you will be using at high level. Yes, there are new spells, but many are just situational/utility.