D&D 4E When does a 4E Encounter become an Encounter

[1of3]

Some have said so but to be even more clear: Encounter powers have nothing to do with encounters. It's actually kind of a misnomer. "Powers with 5 minutes cool down" would be a more precise term.

So in this case the GM does not have to determine anything. In fact, pointing out that the GM can determine things is generally a rather meaningless answer when it comes to rules questions.

 

[Nail]

In fact, pointing out that the GM can determine things is generally a rather meaningless answer when it comes to rules questions.

..and yet, it's a standard answer found on these boards.

<sigh>

 

[Stogoe]

..and yet, it's a standard answer found on these boards

Because the game has a GM. It's the one thing that all D&D games have, by definition, and all rules discussions that do not take that fact into account are worthless.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Why should you only be able to teleport, when somebody in your vicinity gets beaten on his head?

Its after all a roleplaying game, not a board game!

 

[Runestar]

Because the game has a GM. It's the one thing that all D&D games have, by definition, and all rules discussions that do not take that fact into account are worthless.

However, it is also worth noting that just because a DM has the ability to rule in a particular manner does not necessarily mean that he should.

I don't quite see the point of discussing DM fiat here. If the DM can in theory just houserule anything, why even bother discussing it here, if whatever final consensus is going to be rendered moot by DM fiat anyways? What does it matter if RAW allows a certain rule to be interpreted in some manner, like the rogue+lasting frost combo, if the DM still doesn't allow it in the end?

One thing I can think of is that it allows both parties to come to an informed decision, so they know what sort of impact said interpretation/ruling will have on the game before deciding to implement it, and adjust their rulings accordingly so that it still remains efficacious, yet will not upset the game. But oddly enough, that does not seem to be the case I see here. Players simply seem bent on proving their DM dead wrong, while DMs (if the aforementioned quote is anything to go by) just seem all too willing to assert their authority and houserule anything on a whim, reason being that they can.

Is this really a snapshot of what goes on in their games, or are they just acting tough and talking trash on these boards?

 

[BendBars/LiftGates]

I think your DM is confused here. An encounter power is named as such because it is recharged after one encounter's length (resting for 5 minutes), not because it is only usable during an encounter. Following your DM's logic, daily powers would only be usable during the day and some abilities are only possible when two adversaries wish each other harm.

Encounter powers can be used any time, as can daily powers, but you can only use them one time before you have to take a short or extended rest to recharge them. That means you can fey step through an inn, you can use your draconic breath to cook dinner, and you can use your elven accuracy in a village pie-throwing contest.

 

[Logos7]

for the record, not all games have a gm or a single gm. That's why its nice to know what should be done rather than what some doof would do.

As for your gm, it seems that they know that they made a snap call and was wrong, encounter powers are really much more powers that require a short rest to recharge than something that can be done only in combat.

generally I call an encounter everything I do from an Initiative roll to when the party could take a short rest.

Hope that helps
(i'm pretty sure I'm supported by raw)

Logos

 

[Nail]

It's the one thing that all D&D games have, by definition, and all rules discussions that do not take that fact into account are worthless.

The first part of your statement does not support the second half.

#1) D&D games have DMs (not GMs) and players.

#2) D&D games have rules that all perticipants agree to abide by. (This is how all games work, BTW.)

#3) The rules (RAW) in 4e D&D may (or may not) be balanced and clear to all participants.

#4) On this board we discuss how the rules are best interpreted. There is often disent on the "best" ruling, and that's accepted. How to change a rule to work better is also discussed.

#5) Stating "the DM can rule any way she likes" does exactly nothing in a discussion of how a rule works. Exactly. Nothing.

 

[Nail]

for the record, not all games have a gm or a single gm. That's why its nice to know what should be done rather than what some doof would do.

Very true.

In our current game, we share DM duties. So having a simple and RAW ruling is usually best.

 

[Asmor]

You don't need to be in an encounter to use encounter powers.

It's just a name.

For that matter, you might not get to refresh your encounter powers between two different encounters, if you're interrupted while resting.

An encounter power is a power you can only use once and is then expended; a short rest allows you to recover all encounter powers (among other things).