D&D Podcast # 28 - Mailbag questions - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

D&D Podcast # 28 - Mailbag questions

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
mudbunny
Nov 24, 2008 8:38:22 Episode 29 (November 2008)
Mailbag

Don't just read about D&D's latest news and announcements -- listen to them as well! And where better to find inside information than from the very halls of Wizards of the Coast. Presenting Episode 29: Mailbag.

In this episode, hosts Dave Noonan and Mike Mearls answer the questions you’ve emailed to us about the game. It’s time for more tips, tricks and inside information to make your game as great as possible!

Direct link to .mp3 file. (Warning, 43.4 Mbs)

Discuss this article here.
#2
tancread
Nov 24, 2008 12:17:28 I enjoyed it. The variety of questions makes it pretty interesting throughout. I did have a thought on the problems with minions at higher level. Hearing the complaint that if the lower level grunts cooperated they might have a shot at hitting made me think 'why deal with them as individuals at that level, make them like a swarm'. A swarm of guards would represent a small group of them attacking in cooperation, they could do some damage and be an effective mook mechanic, while still letting the heroes feel their power. I wouldn't give them an aura, but you could argue an aura effect would be the cumulative effect of all their attacks if you wanted to give them one. Make them a large base, give them some hit points to last a turn or two and you are off to the races.
#3
To11
Nov 24, 2008 17:34:08 This is the second podcast that has actually questioned a few of the powers/feats from the PHB. I'm wondering if anybody on this forum has a good idea on how to fix or improve sure strike and careful attack. The Podcast doesn't really describe a fix and for now I'm just advising players not to take them. One of the players in my group picked Careful Attack for his Ranger then looked down and saw Twin-Strike and immediately changed it. He liked the feel of Careful Attack more, but it was just plain mechanically inferior.

One or two podcasts ago they also discussed powers influencing itemization. Originally, the Genasi's promise of storm made a full vulnerable to thunder and lightning. This was considered bad because it encouraged all party members to take lightning weapons. Isn't this the same problem created by (the feat) Lasting Frost, though?

Are these hints at forthcoming errata, or should we simply fix the problems ourselves via house rule?
#4
kilpatds
Nov 25, 2008 21:38:13 I think they completely missed the point of the question about Careful Attack. The problem with Careful attack isn't that we don't understand why hitting is important...

The problem is "Twin Strike" hits more. At any armor class you hit "normally" with a 18 or less, Twin Strike hits more. And once Careful Attack needs a 20 too, Twin Strike hits more.

So it's not just that Twin Strike does more DPR... sometimes hitting is important. It's that Twin Strike hits more. So really, Careful Attack doesn't even do what it's supposed to do.
#5
kouk
Nov 26, 2008 22:29:58 I think Mike Mearls understood the issue with Careful Attack/Sure Strike when he said that internally they overvalued attack bonuses.

Maybe Dave Noonan was only thinking about the Fighter's Sure Strike, which you can almost make a case for with the reasons he gave, but Careful Attack has no real reason to exist at all when a Ranger can just make 2 attacks.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 mudbunny Nov 24, 2008 8:38:22	Episode 29 (November 2008) Mailbag Don't just read about D&D's latest news and announcements -- listen to them as well! And where better to find inside information than from the very halls of Wizards of the Coast. Presenting Episode 29: Mailbag. In this episode, hosts Dave Noonan and Mike Mearls answer the questions you’ve emailed to us about the game. It’s time for more tips, tricks and inside information to make your game as great as possible! Direct link to .mp3 file. (Warning, 43.4 Mbs) Discuss this article here.
#2 tancread Nov 24, 2008 12:17:28	I enjoyed it. The variety of questions makes it pretty interesting throughout. I did have a thought on the problems with minions at higher level. Hearing the complaint that if the lower level grunts cooperated they might have a shot at hitting made me think 'why deal with them as individuals at that level, make them like a swarm'. A swarm of guards would represent a small group of them attacking in cooperation, they could do some damage and be an effective mook mechanic, while still letting the heroes feel their power. I wouldn't give them an aura, but you could argue an aura effect would be the cumulative effect of all their attacks if you wanted to give them one. Make them a large base, give them some hit points to last a turn or two and you are off to the races.
#3 To11 Nov 24, 2008 17:34:08	This is the second podcast that has actually questioned a few of the powers/feats from the PHB. I'm wondering if anybody on this forum has a good idea on how to fix or improve sure strike and careful attack. The Podcast doesn't really describe a fix and for now I'm just advising players not to take them. One of the players in my group picked Careful Attack for his Ranger then looked down and saw Twin-Strike and immediately changed it. He liked the feel of Careful Attack more, but it was just plain mechanically inferior. One or two podcasts ago they also discussed powers influencing itemization. Originally, the Genasi's promise of storm made a full vulnerable to thunder and lightning. This was considered bad because it encouraged all party members to take lightning weapons. Isn't this the same problem created by (the feat) Lasting Frost, though? Are these hints at forthcoming errata, or should we simply fix the problems ourselves via house rule?
#4 kilpatds Nov 25, 2008 21:38:13	I think they completely missed the point of the question about Careful Attack. The problem with Careful attack isn't that we don't understand why hitting is important... The problem is "Twin Strike" hits more. At any armor class you hit "normally" with a 18 or less, Twin Strike hits more. And once Careful Attack needs a 20 too, Twin Strike hits more. So it's not just that Twin Strike does more DPR... sometimes hitting is important. It's that Twin Strike hits more. So really, Careful Attack doesn't even do what it's supposed to do.
#5 kouk Nov 26, 2008 22:29:58	I think Mike Mearls understood the issue with Careful Attack/Sure Strike when he said that internally they overvalued attack bonuses. Maybe Dave Noonan was only thinking about the Fighter's Sure Strike, which you can almost make a case for with the reasons he gave, but Careful Attack has no real reason to exist at all when a Ranger can just make 2 attacks.