Why only two at will powers?

[FitzTheRuke]

This is the reason for the Martial Powers book, and why it will obviously be followed by more.

Also, you can add

Bull Rush
Standard, At-Will
Strength vs Fortitude
Push the target one square, you may move into the vacated square.

To the maneuvers available to everyone.

I realized that it's not really so much that you're picking your at-wills at first level. You're picking the ones you can't do.

Also, I find it interesting that at-wills (at least early on) are used so often, that say, another halfling rogue that has the two at-wills that you DON'T have, will feel very different from your character.

Fitz

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

But I still think it's wierd -- there are many reports already of combat feeling repetitive at low levels. It seems such a simple task to add one or double the number of at wills per character. I'm just curious why they choose to stay at only 2.

At low levels, with a scant few daily/encounter powers that is likely to be the case regardless of whether your At Will list is 2 or 20.

If the tactical situation is static, a large list will effectively devolve into one optimal At Will power. If the tactical situation is dynamic, then a short list with real differences in tactical flavor is sufficient.

2 does seem a little shorter than necessary IMHO. But making that number 3 or 5 does not automatically solve anything. At Will powers will always be modest in umph; it is the Daily/Encounter powers that will generate excitement.