First Thoughts on Backdrop: Cormyr - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

First Thoughts on Backdrop: Cormyr

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
collasus
Jul 18, 2008 1:25:19 Excellent article. I see a pattern developing here with the Dragon articles. Better written, and better thought out. Almost all the articles are enlightening and helpful. I have pre ordered the Forgotten Realms setting Campaign Guide and Players Guide. Role Playing has always flourished in my games... but I see it is also not all together dead when I read the helpful articles found throughout the Dragon Magazine. I was guilty of never ordering the Dragon while it was still in paper form... unless I had a few dollars left over after spending my money on other things... it was an afterthought. Now I know many of you out there think this on-line thing is not for everyone... but at least I can read the articles I like and if neccessary print out those I really like. I havn't had much good lately to say... but my level of satisfaction has increased due in large part to the Dragon Magazine. I say thanks to the guys that put together the Realms... with the input of Ed Greenwood... obviously you guys fought hard to not entirely turn our game into something other than the game I have played so long... (very long actually). Please keep up the good work guys.
#2
drizzt380
Jul 18, 2008 2:29:02 Favor of Tymora has a trigger but is a minor action. For some reason this bothers me more than it should. *shrug*
#3
SoulCatcher78
Jul 18, 2008 15:50:59 If they can keep up the quality of the maps, I'll be happy. Given the (usually) low resolution of images on the internet, I wasn't expecting much when I hit the print button. I was quite happy to see that the quality of the image translates well in print. I'll finish reading the article later but at first glance it passes.
#4
18DELTA
Jul 18, 2008 18:36:39 -I cant see it. I cant see Ecology of the Dragonborn either.

18DELTA
#5
GhostStepper
Jul 18, 2008 19:56:58 I see the Luck Blade PP feature being used for some interesting optimization exploits. Heavy Blade Opportunity with at-will cleric powers anyone? Well, maybe not. lol I dont think it really opens up anything since you have to use HBO with a power that has the weapon keyword
#6
danyc
Jul 20, 2008 12:08:52 The balance / format / clarity / rules comprehension / editing / etc problems that first popped up with Class Act: Wizard are back.

Impaling Strike: 3W + shift 3 + immobilize for the level 11 encounter power is pretty strong. I won't claim absolute omg broken but looking at the fighter paragon 11s most do 2W + effect or 3W with less effect wise. There's also a fighter utility 10 that lets you -move- 3, this is giving you that as a shift + a very strong attack all rolled together.

Exultant Withdrawal is written as a "Free Action" with a trigger? Is that an intentional sidestep of the reaction action type or just a mistake?

Luckbringer level 11 paragon ability: I'm not sure, but I'm tempted to call 'broken' on this. You have to roll the two dice ahead of time, but it is costless. The other paragon luck affecting abilities (Kensei, Battlefield Archer, Daggermaster) require action points to use, or are more limited (Warpriest).

... And then, at level 16, they get another reroll. This one does require an action point, but is 100% superior to Warpriest (the target doesn't have to be adjacent, it works on all attack types, AND they get a +2).

For the actual Luckbringer Paragon Powers... For the love of Tymora, someone call an -editor-, because the person who wrote this is clearly a total lost cause in terms of 4E procedure, rules, and format.

First, some of the powers are labeled with the wrong colors.

Second, the division of your paragon path powers as Encounter, Utility (either daily or encounter as warranted), Daily for 11, 12, and 20 is not optional. This is set in stone, per the level chart. So either the author is confused about that and thinks he can change it willy nilly (making the level 20 an encounter), or mixed up all the levels and types of the powers. Commenting on anything else is difficult because I really have no clue whats intended to be what in terms of level/power type with everything so mislabeled, but I will try:

Luckbolt is too strong as an encounter (It has the daily keyword but is in red, so I dont know which its supposed to be). It is a paragon power, but compared to the Paladin 10 (which lets them save against -1- effect at +2) its a hell of a lot more powerful (all effects at +4). Also, why is it a conjuration? Answer? Its not a conjuration. I think the author is confused about the meaning of that keyword: just because the flavor text describes a silver bolt, it doesn't become a conjuration unless it actually creates something that sticks around.

If inauspicious vulnerability is supposed to be a level 11 encounter attack, its too powerful. If its going to be a level 20 daily its too weak. As for the existing Daily, probably OK @ 20 (if thats where its supposed to be) but way too powerful at 11 as an encounter ability (which is what its keyword indicates).

... Then again, I realize, this is FR, where being attached to a God is license for totally absurd and poorly-tested powers. Initiate Of Mystra? Maybe we should all be thankful she's -dead-.

Nevertheless, the rules portion of this article is a total mess. It continues to speak very poorly for the whole DDI enterprise.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 collasus Jul 18, 2008 1:25:19	Excellent article. I see a pattern developing here with the Dragon articles. Better written, and better thought out. Almost all the articles are enlightening and helpful. I have pre ordered the Forgotten Realms setting Campaign Guide and Players Guide. Role Playing has always flourished in my games... but I see it is also not all together dead when I read the helpful articles found throughout the Dragon Magazine. I was guilty of never ordering the Dragon while it was still in paper form... unless I had a few dollars left over after spending my money on other things... it was an afterthought. Now I know many of you out there think this on-line thing is not for everyone... but at least I can read the articles I like and if neccessary print out those I really like. I havn't had much good lately to say... but my level of satisfaction has increased due in large part to the Dragon Magazine. I say thanks to the guys that put together the Realms... with the input of Ed Greenwood... obviously you guys fought hard to not entirely turn our game into something other than the game I have played so long... (very long actually). Please keep up the good work guys.
#2 drizzt380 Jul 18, 2008 2:29:02	Favor of Tymora has a trigger but is a minor action. For some reason this bothers me more than it should. shrug
#3 SoulCatcher78 Jul 18, 2008 15:50:59	If they can keep up the quality of the maps, I'll be happy. Given the (usually) low resolution of images on the internet, I wasn't expecting much when I hit the print button. I was quite happy to see that the quality of the image translates well in print. I'll finish reading the article later but at first glance it passes.
#4 18DELTA Jul 18, 2008 18:36:39	-I cant see it. I cant see Ecology of the Dragonborn either. 18DELTA
#5 GhostStepper Jul 18, 2008 19:56:58	I see the Luck Blade PP feature being used for some interesting optimization exploits. Heavy Blade Opportunity with at-will cleric powers anyone? Well, maybe not. lol I dont think it really opens up anything since you have to use HBO with a power that has the weapon keyword
#6 danyc Jul 20, 2008 12:08:52	The balance / format / clarity / rules comprehension / editing / etc problems that first popped up with Class Act: Wizard are back. Impaling Strike: 3W + shift 3 + immobilize for the level 11 encounter power is pretty strong. I won't claim absolute omg broken but looking at the fighter paragon 11s most do 2W + effect or 3W with less effect wise. There's also a fighter utility 10 that lets you -move- 3, this is giving you that as a shift + a very strong attack all rolled together. Exultant Withdrawal is written as a "Free Action" with a trigger? Is that an intentional sidestep of the reaction action type or just a mistake? Luckbringer level 11 paragon ability: I'm not sure, but I'm tempted to call 'broken' on this. You have to roll the two dice ahead of time, but it is costless. The other paragon luck affecting abilities (Kensei, Battlefield Archer, Daggermaster) require action points to use, or are more limited (Warpriest). ... And then, at level 16, they get another reroll. This one does require an action point, but is 100% superior to Warpriest (the target doesn't have to be adjacent, it works on all attack types, AND they get a +2). For the actual Luckbringer Paragon Powers... For the love of Tymora, someone call an -editor-, because the person who wrote this is clearly a total lost cause in terms of 4E procedure, rules, and format. First, some of the powers are labeled with the wrong colors. Second, the division of your paragon path powers as Encounter, Utility (either daily or encounter as warranted), Daily for 11, 12, and 20 is not optional. This is set in stone, per the level chart. So either the author is confused about that and thinks he can change it willy nilly (making the level 20 an encounter), or mixed up all the levels and types of the powers. Commenting on anything else is difficult because I really have no clue whats intended to be what in terms of level/power type with everything so mislabeled, but I will try: Luckbolt is too strong as an encounter (It has the daily keyword but is in red, so I dont know which its supposed to be). It is a paragon power, but compared to the Paladin 10 (which lets them save against -1- effect at +2) its a hell of a lot more powerful (all effects at +4). Also, why is it a conjuration? Answer? Its not a conjuration. I think the author is confused about the meaning of that keyword: just because the flavor text describes a silver bolt, it doesn't become a conjuration unless it actually creates something that sticks around. If inauspicious vulnerability is supposed to be a level 11 encounter attack, its too powerful. If its going to be a level 20 daily its too weak. As for the existing Daily, probably OK @ 20 (if thats where its supposed to be) but way too powerful at 11 as an encounter ability (which is what its keyword indicates). ... Then again, I realize, this is FR, where being attached to a God is license for totally absurd and poorly-tested powers. Initiate Of Mystra? Maybe we should all be thankful she's -dead-. Nevertheless, the rules portion of this article is a total mess. It continues to speak very poorly for the whole DDI enterprise.