Can I voluntarily end a stance? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Can I voluntarily end a stance? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ferris1971
06-20-07, 01:53 PM 1st level Warblade with Punishing Stance (-2AC, +1d6 damage).

Can I choose to end this stance at the beginning of my turn if I'm close to death and would rather have the extra 2AC?
ferris1971
06-20-07, 01:58 PM 1st level Warblade with Punishing Stance (-2AC, +1d6 damage).

Can I choose to end this stance at the beginning of my turn if I'm close to death and would rather have the extra 2AC?

Nevermind, answer is on page 43. You can use a swift action to end a stance. You do not have to enter another stance at that time if you do not want to.

It also seems to indicate that I could gain the benefits of the stance and end the stance at the end of my turn to get my AC back.

Is that right?
Swift - Stance on -2 AC
Attack - +1d6 damage
Swift - Stance off, AC back to normal

That can't be right, can it?
theotherdraxen
06-20-07, 02:00 PM You only get one swift action per round.
ferris1971
06-20-07, 02:04 PM Ok, that makes sense. Still makes this a rockin' stance.

Assuming no other swift actions...
Turn 1:
Swift Stance on
Attack +1d6, I'm -2 AC
Turn 2:
Attack +1d6, I'm -2 AC
Swift Stance off (AC normal)
Turn 3:
Swift Stance on
Attack +1d6, I'm -2 AC
etc...

This means I am getting +1d6 all the time, but am only at an AC penalty 1/2 the time.

Right? Sounds too good...
CryoSilver
06-20-07, 02:24 PM Technically that's correct, though you're missing out on the extra damage on your attacks of opportunity.
ferris1971
06-20-07, 03:03 PM Technically that's correct, though you're missing out on the extra damage on your attacks of opportunity.

Again, only half of the time, and it's almost always a good trade-off to lose 1d6 damage on AOO's in return for a +2 AC.
Tempest Stormwind
06-20-07, 03:54 PM Punishing Stance is actually a pretty poor stance that sees almost no use as you go up in levels. It's generally a waste unless you want Ironheart Aura at level 1. There are better uses for your swift action.

Outside of the lowest-level games, I've seen it used almost exclusively on mooks (lower-level NPCs meant to challenge the PCs). It's pretty rocking at lower levels, but I'd rather have a White Raven or Tiger Claw stance at level 1.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ferris1971 06-20-07, 01:53 PM	1st level Warblade with Punishing Stance (-2AC, +1d6 damage). Can I choose to end this stance at the beginning of my turn if I'm close to death and would rather have the extra 2AC?
ferris1971 06-20-07, 01:58 PM	1st level Warblade with Punishing Stance (-2AC, +1d6 damage). Can I choose to end this stance at the beginning of my turn if I'm close to death and would rather have the extra 2AC? Nevermind, answer is on page 43. You can use a swift action to end a stance. You do not have to enter another stance at that time if you do not want to. It also seems to indicate that I could gain the benefits of the stance and end the stance at the end of my turn to get my AC back. Is that right? Swift - Stance on -2 AC Attack - +1d6 damage Swift - Stance off, AC back to normal That can't be right, can it?
theotherdraxen 06-20-07, 02:00 PM	You only get one swift action per round.
ferris1971 06-20-07, 02:04 PM	Ok, that makes sense. Still makes this a rockin' stance. Assuming no other swift actions... Turn 1: Swift Stance on Attack +1d6, I'm -2 AC Turn 2: Attack +1d6, I'm -2 AC Swift Stance off (AC normal) Turn 3: Swift Stance on Attack +1d6, I'm -2 AC etc... This means I am getting +1d6 all the time, but am only at an AC penalty 1/2 the time. Right? Sounds too good...
CryoSilver 06-20-07, 02:24 PM	Technically that's correct, though you're missing out on the extra damage on your attacks of opportunity.
ferris1971 06-20-07, 03:03 PM	Technically that's correct, though you're missing out on the extra damage on your attacks of opportunity. Again, only half of the time, and it's almost always a good trade-off to lose 1d6 damage on AOO's in return for a +2 AC.
Tempest Stormwind 06-20-07, 03:54 PM	Punishing Stance is actually a pretty poor stance that sees almost no use as you go up in levels. It's generally a waste unless you want Ironheart Aura at level 1. There are better uses for your swift action. Outside of the lowest-level games, I've seen it used almost exclusively on mooks (lower-level NPCs meant to challenge the PCs). It's pretty rocking at lower levels, but I'd rather have a White Raven or Tiger Claw stance at level 1.