Vulnerability as a Striker Enhancement

[Malacoda]

Creating classes in 4e is a huge undertaking, but I have a few ideas for classes that I have been mentally exploring. I little real experience running 4e as of yet, so I thought I would share one of my ideas, as I like it, but it might be too powerful.

One of the ideas I have is a striker who has the ability to give a target vulnerability to a particular type of energy, then do that kind of damage. In a vacuum, that seems fine. But, how would this work in a group if a lot of characters do this kind of damage? The class would effectively have leader as a secondary roll. If people planned it right, it could be a major damage booster. Make it radiant vulnerability, combine it with a laser cleric, a paladin and an avenger, and that has the potential to being +damage to many attacks from all party members. I am sure similar mixes would be possible for other energy types.

I am not sure how much damage a good leader adds to the overall output of a group, especially with more of a focus towards such things, so I don't know if this is massively overpowered or par for the course.

 

[Mengu]

It's workable, and can be balanced with the right wording.

The class feature could give vulnerability to only your attacks. This would be the striker extra damage feature. Then you could have encounter powers that gave this vulnerability to all attacks, that would be the leader aspect without stepping too much on the toes of a real leader.

I'd keep the vulnerability at around a secondary stat bonus.

And if you're worried about too many people gaining the bonus, it's easy enough to word the encounter power, such that against the next attack with the X keyword, the target has vulnerability. Take a look at the Thaneborn Barbarian class a bit to get a good feel for the power level of leadership as a secondary role.

Edit: This should probably be in House Rules.

 

[Mort_Q]

Doesn't the Sorcerer already do this?

 

[hong]

Check out the Wintertouched and Lasting Frost feats, plus a frost weapon.

The ranger and rogue in our party have this combo. It's, uh, nasty.

 

[Malacoda]

The class feature could give vulnerability to only your attacks. This would be the striker extra damage feature. Then you could have encounter powers that gave this vulnerability to all attacks, that would be the leader aspect without stepping too much on the toes of a real leader.

I didn't want to make the vulnerability to only the attacks of the given class, as that is sort of generic, but the idea of making it that way, with occasional bursts via other powers sounds quite workable. "Until the end of your next turn" for encounter and "Until the end of the encounter" for daily might be a good starting point.

Thanks!

 

[Malacoda]

Doesn't the Sorcerer already do this?

From my quick read, I don't see where they have this as a basic ability. Perhaps they have some powers that do this.

 

[Mentat55]

Doesn't the Sorcerer already do this?

The sorcerer can ignore resistances of a specific type and up to a specific value, depending on the particular build / class feature.

But this is different than inducing vulnerability to a particular energy type.

 

[SigmaX0]

Just mildly off-topic here, RE what Hong said, that Lasting Frost thing bothers me, doesn't the feat description say "powers with the cold keyword"? Making a frost weapon do cold weapon doesn't necessarily make the powers themselves have the cold keyword does it?

 

[DracoSuave]

Just mildly off-topic here, RE what Hong said, that Lasting Frost thing bothers me, doesn't the feat description say "powers with the cold keyword"? Making a frost weapon do cold weapon doesn't necessarily make the powers themselves have the cold keyword does it?

Yep. When using an item power with another power, keywords of the power are inherited by the other power.

Anyways... vulnerability might be an interesting mechanic, good for a striker with a leader-secondary flavor.

 

[WalterKovacs]

Just mildly off-topic here, RE what Hong said, that Lasting Frost thing bothers me, doesn't the feat description say "powers with the cold keyword"? Making a frost weapon do cold weapon doesn't necessarily make the powers themselves have the cold keyword does it?

When a magic item gives you an energy type to your damage it also gives that power that keyword. So a flaming weapon could give the fire keyword (which tiefling weapon wielders are happy for), and frost weapons give the cold keyword, etc.