White Raven Onslaught Revision

[Lizard]

No offense, but your 'alternatives' are pretty bland in and of themselves.

Give me three years and make it my full time job.

Does the name really matter? Is your character shouting it out as he executes it?

Then let us call them "Feat 1" and "Spell 13".

Where were all these name complaints when Snowflake Wardance came out in 3E, to name but one?

What book was that in? Never heard of it. But, yeah, it's pretty lame.

IMO, names in the core, non-setting, books should be as baggage-free as possible. I don't want the names implying/stating anything about the world, its cultures, or its traditions. Yes, 3e had baggage from Greyhawk. This doesn't make it right. 3e was not the platonic ideal of perfection, and criticisms of 4e cannot be easily deflected with "Well, it sucked just as much in 3e!" Call me a silly old grumpus, but I'd expect a new version to be *better*, not just as bad in different ways.

 

[Mistwell]

I like the White Raven themed powers (carry-over from Bo9S), and the fact that they DO have a theme is what is important. Bland names don't tie them together. I suspect in the future we will see powers that trigger if you use a power with "White Raven" in the name, for example, and I like that I can build a character around the White Raven theme of helping your allies, and get synergistic bonuses from it.

 

[TwinBahamut]

I don't see what is wrong with the name "White Raven". It has distinct connotations that are consistently applied, and it has nice flavor that adds to the immersive quality of the game.

I mean, compare it to similar name qualifiers used in the 3E PHB: words such as Otiluke's or Bigby's. If you see the name Otiluke in a spell name, you know it will involve spheres. If you see Bigby in a spell name, it probably involves a giant hand made of force. White Raven has a similar role: to inform a reader familiar with the codewords about the effect with just a glance. Considering that White Raven has already been used more consistently than the old wizard's names to provide information to the player (since the White Raven designation is made according to effect, rather than aesthetics and tradition), and is familiar to anyone who has read the Tome of Battle, I think it is great that WotC is bringing that name into 4E.

 

[hong]

IMO, names in the core, non-setting, books should be as baggage-free as possible. I don't want the names implying/stating anything about the world, its cultures, or its traditions.

Yes, you do. You want the names to state as much as possible so as to inspire the imagination of the audience, without being cheesy. And if you cannot work "White Raven" into your D&D game, you should give it up now.

 

[Oompa]

3[W] + Strength modifier damage

can anyone explain this quickly to me? I didnt want to open an separate topic for it

 

[hong]

3[W] + Strength modifier damage

can anyone explain this quickly to me? I didnt want to open an separate topic for it

Roll weapon damage three times and add them up. Then add Str bonus.

 

[Oompa]

Roll weapon damage three times and add them up. Then add Str bonus.

Thanks

 

[Siran Dunmorgan]

3[W] + Strength modifier damage

Can anyone explain this quickly to me? I didn't want to open an separate topic for it

As I understand it, it's basic algebra-like notation: roll damage for the weapon you're using, multiply by three, and add your strength bonus. The result is the actual damage done in the attack.

Now, I could be wrong; it could actually mean roll weapon damage, add your strength bonus, and then multiply by three, but that's not the way I've heard it described.

—Siran Dunmorgan

 

[Primal]

Yes, you do. You want the names to state as much as possible so as to inspire the imagination of the audience, without being cheesy. And if you cannot work "White Raven" into your D&D game, you should give it up now.

I give up. Honestly. Damn, with 'Black Raven Onslaught' I could live with, but White? Dude, sheesh!

 

[hong]

I give up. Honestly. Damn, with 'Black Raven Onslaught' I could live with,

Tautology much?