Trying to understand the proper way to think about powers

[Fat Action Figure]

Newbie DM here and new to 4e.

I'm having a little bit of difficulty trying to think about powers and, more specifically, the "maximum" number of known powers per character.

Looking at p. 29 of the PHB, I see a "Total Powers Known" column. My question is as follows - does this count racial/class powers? In other words, if I play an Eladrin and am granted Fey Step as a racial power, does that count as my one (1) encounter power for 1st level?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Danceofmasks]

That table lists powers you get from class only.
Extras from race, feats, or other sources don't count towards that "max."

 

[Fat Action Figure]

That table lists powers you get from class only.
Extras from race, feats, or other sources don't count towards that "max."

Thanks. Much appreciated.

 

[rook111]

I just got 4E for christmas and am trying to wrap my head around it.
Not easy. Old dog, new tricks.
Like the OP, I am havinga hard time understanding how powers work in relation to how many a character can have and when he can use his powers or rather how often.
I am really having a hard time with daily and utility powers in this regard.

Any help that sheds light will be appriciated.

 

[cmbarona]

Encounter powers recharge after a "short rest." Daily powers recharge after an "extended rest" (rests are explained on PHB page 263). Utility powers each have different recharge rates, and each utility power will indicate if it is At-Will, Encounter, or Daily.

 

[Spatula]

I just got 4E for christmas and am trying to wrap my head around it.
Not easy. Old dog, new tricks.
Like the OP, I am havinga hard time understanding how powers work in relation to how many a character can have and when he can use his powers or rather how often.
I am really having a hard time with daily and utility powers in this regard.

Any help that sheds light will be appriciated.

Encounter powers are basically usable once per combat. If you have an encounter power that is also an attack, the power is "used up" for that fight even if you miss with it. You can get those maneuvers back with a 5 minute rest (the aforementioned "short rest"), similar to how a 3e barbarian has to rest after a rage before he can rage again.

Daily powers work the same, only they're once per day instead, obviously. But most daily powers have a reduced effect if you miss, or an effect that applies regardless of whether you hit or miss, so they're more potent than encounter powers in that regard. And many Fighter daily exploits are "reliable," which means they are not lost if you miss with them.

 

[demonelf3]

Simple way to do this. Take one power from each power type and level, with 2 at wills being the exception. So take one first level daily, one first level encounter, then one level 2 utility, then one level 3 encounter, etc.

 

[rook111]

So if the table says that a character of such and such level knows three daily powers he can only use three daily powers each day (assuming no special circumstances) even if his class or race or what have you have him knowing more than the listed amount.

Do utility powers count against the limit if they are daily?

 

[DracoSuave]

No, it does not mean you can only use 3 daily powers per day.

It means you have 3 daily attack powers of your class that you know. If you have other powers from other pools (race, feat, utility powers) they don't count towards your 3 daily -attack- powers.


It makes a lot more sense if you start with a level 1 character and just add the appropriate powers and feats when prompted to. Then the result makes a lot more sense.

Also read page 27. Don't skim it. -Read- it. Then read it again.

Things to remember:
Racial powers are not Encounter Attack Powers.
Class features are not Encounter Attack Powers, Daily Attack Powers, or At-will Attack Powers, and neither are Utility Powers of any keyword.
Feat powers are not Encounter Attack Powers.

The only thing that is an Encounter Attack Power is anything under an Encounter Attack Power list in the class power lists. Everything else is not. Same with Dailies and At-wills.

Sometimes the book will shorten Encounter Attack Power to Encounter power for the purposes of class progression only.

Lastly, your only limit on powers is this: If you have it, you can use that power once per encounter if it's an encounter power, once per day if it's a daily power, and at-will if it's an at-will power. Other powers you have or do not have do not change this fact. (exception: Channel Divinity)

 

[On Puget Sound]

No, Rook, that's not correct. You can use every daily power you have once per day (except item dailies....that's another subject). You can use every encounter power you have once per encounter (with a few exceptions like divine channeling powers, which are explained). The table just helps you figure out how many powers your class level gives you. You may have others from feats or racial powers or items (see below); if you do, you can use them too.

ITEM dailies are special. From your collection of magic items with daily powers, you can only use ONE daily until you reach a milestone (typically two encounters). After a milestone you can use a different ONE item daily...but not the same item daily power you already used today.