Post/Author/DateTime	Post
rob_douglas 01-30-08, 06:28 PM	HI Another thread that might be informative about Epic in 4E, the Pit Fiend stats have been revealed: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dramp/20080125 They appear to be more powerful in some ways. One thing it shows about Epic characters that I like is Action Points. My best guess on those, that they are not the same as the ones in Unearthed Arcana, but allow you to do something else as essentially a free action, and that more powerful creatures get more of them, and they are probably rechargeable per encounter. This allows an Epic paladin to cast some spells or use other paladin abilities, in addition to fighting. Spells from 1/2 casters at Epic in 3.5 seem to be a waste of an action, so having a way to do that might help a lot - while not going all the way back to what 3.0 Haste did for epic parties (ouch!). I dislike the lack of SLAs in this new version, and it seems to be more a collection of combat stats and less role-playing abilities. I am posting these things because I think our combined experience with 3E Epic can either help inform ho 4E epic should work (if anyone at wizards is listening) or some of us may actually come up with alternate 3E epic rules based on those design elements. ROB
runestar 01-30-08, 06:38 PM	If you were ever frustrated at how long turns in epic gameplay tend to take, then 4e might be a blessing. Though it might be a mixed one, as streamlining combat might come with less options, as the pit fiend apparently becomes less linear, and there are fewer ways to play him, as he has less options available to him. No need to fuss over which of the creature's 10 SLAs you should be using for that round, for example. Just move, whack and activate a minor ability. So my main concern is if we end up losing more than we gain.
rob_douglas 01-30-08, 06:47 PM	True, but I thought about it, and inside combat there are not a lot of options now for the Pit Fiend, other than Dispel, which would be sorely missed unless Dispelling is not as crucial a tactic in 4E. His options now are Blasphemy - does nothing or wipes out the party most of the time, so not something that you think about round to round Fireball - new fire powers seem superior Power, word stun - close to point of terror anyway, never knew when to use it before Mass hold monster - usually doesn't work at epic, not useful to try Meteor Swarm once - start with that, and then melee a lot. Invisibility and Persistant image - not really useful once combat is joined at this level. Seems like a waste of an action. Same with Create undead. And it does still include Wish for another 1/year. So all in all, more focused attack options might be better. ROB
BillTheManiac 01-30-08, 06:47 PM	Notice how an ability showed up in the lore that didn't show up in the statblock?
kalstrand 01-31-08, 08:18 PM	From what has been inferred most monsters have at least 1 page of fluff so that should cover all your RP stuff. I also read a post by a playtester that had his NDA lessened so he could give some of his own impressions of 4E and he said that mechanics were given where needed and left out where not. To me mechanics are not needed for RP at all so there is no reason to write them.
HalfMunchkin 01-31-08, 11:18 PM	After seeing last months and this month's sneek peeks at 4.0, I am sorry I started playing DnD. It has been dumbed down and made into a game for lazy people. I will not be playing anything made past 3.5, if I play at all anymore. I am sorry if this upsets anyone and I fully expect this comment to be deleted or to be kicked off the forum. I am just disgusted with WOTC.
sin_vraal 02-01-08, 03:52 AM	I dunno, 4e pitfiend seems to me to be bland. its special abilities amount to beat down, and -5 to checks (point of terror) ... thug monsters are never dangerous as monsters with spells etc. 4e pitfiend looks boring. I hope not all the monsters are this way in 4e.. I was expecting a little more from an epic mob.
kalstrand 02-01-08, 04:26 PM	Except magic and melee are supposed to be balanced with each other in 4E so it shouldn't matter if it has spells or just beatdown in 4E.
sin_vraal 02-01-08, 06:47 PM	Except magic and melee are supposed to be balanced with each other in 4E so it shouldn't matter if it has spells or just beatdown in 4E. yea, I think thats my big beef with 4e... it doesnt matter what class you are... its all the same. you roll 1d10+stat for damage at low levels. and thats what everyone does... why even have different stats... I think they should just have one statistic and call it 'stat' as it seems to me there is little need for anything else.
BillTheManiac 02-01-08, 08:44 PM	yea, I think thats my big beef with 4e... it doesnt matter what class you are... its all the same. you roll 1d10+stat for damage at low levels. and thats what everyone does... why even have different stats... I think they should just have one statistic and call it 'stat' as it seems to me there is little need for anything else. That would be the best game ever. "My 18 stat gives me a +4 modifier, for +5 AB, 1d10+4 damage and 14 HP, as well as an armor class of 19." "Aw man my 17 stat only gives me a +3 modifier, for +4 AB, 1d10+3 damage and 13 HP with 18 AC. You're probably going to beat me! Say, what character class are you?" "I'm a drow sorcerer!" "Really, cool! I'm a halfling barbarian! I liked this character. So sad it's going to die."
Eldritch_Lord 02-10-08, 04:06 PM	I also read a post by a playtester that had his NDA lessened so he could give some of his own impressions of 4E Link please?
kalstrand 02-10-08, 09:06 PM	Its somewhere on the enworld forums but I don't have a link.
Eldritch_Lord 02-11-08, 01:42 PM	Its somewhere on the enworld forums but I don't have a link. Eh, good enough. I'll go look.