WalterKovacs
First Post
Marshall said:
Actually 1 of your 3 at-wills is eliminated. Ranger has 1 ranged only, 1 melee only and 2 either/or powers. Certain classes have preselected powers [Warlock is explicit unless human, cleric cuts down the middle of wisdom or strength to attack]. Most classes follow a "1 at-will for each build, and 2 that can work either way]. Fighter, for example, has reaping strike which prefers 2 handed weapons, and another that requires a shield. The other two can go either way. This means that, outside Cleric, humans should have a good 'third choice' for their at-will.
For the Ranger [who, like the cleric, has the most 'extreme' difference between builds] has 3 options that work with either build, and a single "melee only" power for encounters. Of the 4 dailies, 3 use melee, 2 use ranged.
Which is different than 3e where you have the option of spending double to get your cross class skills ... which over time will be capped so that they are still bad [unless you get a way to make it a class skill through multiclassing or a paragon path ... or you are only taking 5 ranks for the skill synergy].
And the ones that are open to anyone. Depending on the class, the feats aren't that limited ... And the feats go larger as you go on.
Archer uses a bow ... shocking. How many options for archers in 3e? Composite added a bit extra, but ultimately "best composite based on characters strength and available money" wasn't exactly an option. And there is still the option of going with a 'mixed' ranger that can use a thrown weapon off handed to be able to dual wield in melee and make ranged attacks with the same weapon selection.
And of course, this is an example for a single class that you are using to represent everything. Other classes have a bit more options. Rogue chooses between dagger [effective +4 prof], short sword, rapier [feat requirement for higher damage die]. Fighters, paladins, clerics and warlords have to choose between extra damage and certain tricks involving hammers and axes, or the higher proficiency bonus for blades.
For certain classes, you will have an option of whether to wear chainmail or hide. Part of that has to do with determining ability scores and feats. Hide or leather is a choice for some ... take the skill check penalty for the AC bonus? The option of taking a feat to gain higher armor proficiencies is also part of these options. The heavier armor has penalties for speed as well. For some characters, your ability to make athletic checks, stealth checks, etc may be more important than +1 to AC.
You CAN go with a build, and then make few/simple choices. However the powers "earmarked" for your build aren't necessarily the best.
Of course, the 'build types' vary.
For Ranger and Cleric ... it's just "what type of attack is it". A power is only better for one build or the other because of the ability you use to attack. Using certain monster manual races, you can get a ranger with 18 in STR and 18 in DEX (Bugbear) ... and your 'build choice' is really only what bonus feat you get [probably take TWF for the ability to dual wield one handed weapon]. Cleric's don't even make an active choice [neither do Paladin's]. They get access to both builds via their channel divinity powers that they can pick between. A Dragonborn Paladin can be built to work equally well with STR and CHA based powers. There is a monster that can allow an 18 STR, 18 WIS Cleric that is equally good at either build.
In other cases, you make a choice and that has a specific effect. 1HW vs. 2HW really only effects your to hit. Wield a versatile weapon, and just be prepared to spend a bit of time to get out your shield if necessary to boost your AC [and access shield based powers]. Fighters care more about weapon groups than what their build type is.
Similarly ... wizards don't have specific powers "tied" to their build type ... the encounter ability for their implement works better with certain powers. Wizards, with their options for daily and utility, definitely have variability. And they do have an implement that is effectively "undecided" for build type.
Warlocks are very rigid for their at-wills, your build determines which ones you get, unless you are human, than you get to choose an additional one. Each of their encounters [but none of their daily or at-wills] are tied to a specific pact in that they give a bigger bonus when used with that pact. This is mostly tied to how good their INT bonus is. Their paragon paths are similarly rigid, with each pact having a single paragon path. Warlocks are amongst the most rigid.
Rogue Encounters have 1 for Brutal Scoundrel, 1 for Artful Dodger and 2 generics. The two build options often have a fixed effect that uses STR or CHA bonus instead when used with the right build. The paragon paths have one power in the Shadow Assassin path that involves charisma, and neither use strength. Warlord's have similar builds around inspiring vs. tactical.
So, there are extremes in terms of options, with a variety of different effects. The most "rigid" are actually the ones that don't really force any build framework onto it. Warlock's are encouraged to take pact powers by slapping the pact name on the power ... but ultimately, you may prefer to give your opponent a -1 penalty to their will defense instead of a - (2 + INT mod) to their attacks. In that case, going out of pact [while still keeping a Charisma based attack] may be worth it.
