Wizard Spells 10-16 Two Page Spread

[Nytmare]

If an encounter lasts for more than five minutes, does resistance expire during the encounter?

All encounters are now five minutes long.

I, for one, welcome our new abstract measurement overlords.

 

[Corinth]

All encounters are now five minutes long.

I, for one, welcome our new abstract measurement overlords.

Indeed. This is just the cooldown mechanic by another name now.

 

[SoulStorm]

It's not so much that I mind Flight being higher level - it's that I mind crappy flight being higher level. Flight speed 40' for 5 minutes that takes your minor actions to sustain (thus preventing any other buffs and some spells)? That's not Flight, that's "Flight Jr., with Training Wheels". And 16th is hardly the start of Paragon tier - shouldn't this kind of rudimentary flight be back at level 11 or so?

And this is especially insulting in light of the fact that Hippogryph mounts have been mentioned as available equipment, for 1000g, IIRC. Now I don't know exactly how prices compare, but I'll bet that's available a hell of lot sooner than level 16.

So ... unlimited flight at a good speed - or slow flight for five minutes from a daily power? This is the equivalent of a 3E Wizard having a 5th level spell that granted them the Toughness feat.

I agree, defying the conventions of physical reality is the most enjoyable part of playing a magic using character. This fly spell is weak sauce indeed. Perhaps there are feats, or paragon paths that can grant the equivalent of 3.5's overland flight. If so, ok, if not, I'll be skipping 4th edition.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

What the hey? Can anybody confirm if this is actually true, or just somebody guessing? (Re: damage + 1/2 level)

-Cross

It's been pretty much debunked, but not everyone got the memo.

Fitz

 

[Kishin]

All encounters are now five minutes long.

I, for one, welcome our new abstract measurement overlords.

QFT.

20 second battles were always a hard sell for me.

Abstraction of largely irrelevant details are nice.

 

[Doug McCrae]

Precise time is videogame-y.

 

[HeinorNY]

Except that "per encounter" is, as his been revealed at D&DExp, shorthand for "you can do this once and then must take a 5-minute rest before doing it again." So the definition's already hardwired into the rules, whether in combat or not.

Which make them technically 1/5 min and effectivelly 1/encounter. It's good game design IMO. Elegant, simple and almost bulletproof.
I can't stand WoD powers that can be used once per "scene" or "session". It would be a kick in the nuts if WotC went that way.
It'd be worse if they decided that encounter powers could only be used in combat, as someone here suggested IIRC.

There was a lot of discussion about the definition of an encounter, since we thought we would need it most of the time to adjudicate powers and durations, but I think we won't.

I asked multiple times in this forum how many times a character could use an encounter power outside combat. I think I finally got the answer: He can use it every 5 minutes.
Also, in R&C they said most buffs would last until the end of the encounter, and much discussion came out of that statement. But as we can see, those spells that last until the end of the encounter also have an alternative duration: 5 minutes.

So, for all those who consider themselves "simulationists" and were worrying about all that, I think they'll be satisfied. I am

"My turst for 4E desiners no no limits!"

Thumbs up!

 

[Fallen Seraph]

I agree, defying the conventions of physical reality is the most enjoyable part of playing a magic using character. This fly spell is weak sauce indeed. Perhaps there are feats, or paragon paths that can grant the equivalent of 3.5's overland flight. If so, ok, if not, I'll be skipping 4th edition.

Meh, too me the most enjoyable magical characters I have played are those that enhance and make more potent ones own abilities. Thus why I loved the Beguiler, its natural abilities were simply enhanced by its magical abilities.

 

[Zelster]

I couldn't be happier that the overpowered utility spells like Fly and Greater Invis Sphere have been nerfed. Those wizard spells that allow bypassing of encounters and plot points need to get out of D&D and back into the 1980s where they belong.

New game, new edition, new audience, new balance. Nothing is stopping you from playing 3.0E and casting haste, fly, and nerdrage on yourself.

 

[Mirtek]

This.

3.0 Fly, in particular, was flat out ludicrous.

Isn't that actually the point about 4e?

You are heroes from the start, you do the ludicrous from first level. So 3.0e flight would fit as a paragon ability. We're paragons, walking is beneath us. And epic heroes ,which are said to be able to challenge deities, should meassure distances in worlds, not mere miles.