Which is better: per encounter or per day?

[A'koss]

Per encounter is also tricky because the definition of an "encounter" is so hazy.

The Tome of Battle is helpful here. They define a break between encounters (when you're not sure) when you have 1 full minute where you do not make any attacks of any kind and are not attacked in turn.

There, done.

 

[Victim]

I ran WoD games for a few years. I agree that the "scene" mechanic worked well for it. There are, IMO, two reasons it's okay for Storyteller but not D&D.

1) Storyteller is intentionally footloose. It is designed to enable the telling of stories, not "well-balanced" mechanical play. In otherwords, it's fine if you're playing rules-light and/or willing to let the GM fiat a lot of stuff. D&D is increasingly minimizing the GM. The more they do so (up to the point they ditch any attempt of telling stories), the less well "per encounter" fits.

2) Storyteller had effects with a duration of one scene, not that were usable per scene. There is a difference.

Exalted is rather heavy mechanically, but still runs on the scene mechanic.

 

[Nyaricus]

None of the above. With Tokens from Iron Heroes, I've found a new standard for abilities usuable only a certain number of times.

Standard D&D? X/Day. It makes you reserve your resources and management better.