Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Guysery2k Sep 05, 2010 10:35:18	I wish to share my recent thoughts about some little houserules to spice up Defiling mechanics (which i think are good as they are, just need an extra something). Official Rule: A wizard draws life energies from his surroundings, defiling a Close Burst 1 area in case     of At Will/Encounter Spells, or half-level Close Burst squares in case of Dailies. Fluff: No one gets harmed this way, only plant-life and perhaps small insects and the                             like (sentient beings feel a displeasant sensation of course, but no mechanical rules). House Rule: The defiled area becomes Defiled Terrain, as per Dark Sun Creature Catalogue, page 34      The type of Defiled Terrain is chosen based on the previous terrain type(ie. Rocky terrain becomes Sickening Heat terrain, verdant terrains become Ash Field terrain, desert-like terrain becomes Black Sand terrain). If defiling occurs a second time on a previously defiled terrain, the terrain type changes to Dead Magic terrain. If a Wizard choose to not defile, he can spend a Minor OR Move Action to preserve before casting a spell in the same turn. (Master Preserver Paragon Path and Avangion Epic Destiny do not need to spend a Minor or Move Action to preserve). The Arcane Defiling At Will feature remains unchanged, or: House Rule 2: All creatures within 20 squares lose an healing surge (or none if they have the Defiler's Trooper feat) . If no healing surges are left, follow the official rule. (The rest remains unchanged, like the Master Defiler PP mechanics etc.). What do you think?
#2 Pashalik_Mons Sep 05, 2010 13:40:04	I think any rules about defiling need to apply to all arcane classes, not just wizards.  If that was an oversight, I apologize. I'm also keep seeing this idea about charging actions on a person's turn to preserve, and frankly, I don't like it.  I suppose it would have made more sense in 2e, when wizards were more powerful than everything else, and could take a nerf.  In 4e, arcane classes are balanced alongside the others more carefully, and this kinda thing really hurts them.  Especially wizards, who might want those actions to sustain a power, or artificer and bard who use them to heal.  I know that people suggest it for the flavor, or because they feel things need to be harder on arcane classes in Dark Sun.  I think things are hard enough for them already.  I mean, preserve or defile, if you aren't a templar and people catch you using arcane magic, you're in trouble.  I know that keeps the consequences in the realm of RP, but that's where I think they belong.  RP/Lore reasons that a class might have a hard time make things interesting.  Mechanics hindering a class make people not want to play it.