A Parry Power - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

A Parry Power

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
poseph
Jan 13, 2009 21:40:57 O.K. So, I'm working on a subset of powers that I might submit to Dragon Magazine at a later date, or at least use in my home games. A friend, who originally gave me the idea for the power subset, came up with a parry power, that goes a little something like this.

Parry Blah Blah Utility ?
Blah Blah flavor Text
At-Will or Encounter * Martial, Weapon
Immediate Interrupt Melee
Trigger: An enemy hits you.
Attack: STR or DEX vs. your opponents attack roll + 5
Hit: Your opponents attack misses

Now, my gut feeling about this power is that is really doesn't belong in a DnD game. It adds an extra die roll to the game, which slows it down and begs the question, "Hey, if this guy can parry attacks, why can't my level ?" I also said that the DnD system assumes that your character is trying to parry, and not standing there getting hit. Although I told my friend what I thought about this power, he told me that it's not as good as it seems because you have to beat the enemies attack roll +5 (yes, +5 is a lot, I know). Even so, I promised him that I would post it here to see what you thought.

Now, what I ask of you is-
-Would you even think about homebrewing a power like this?

-If the answer is Yes, then what level would you place it at, assuming the power is encounter based? At-Will based? (Note- At-Will is almost certainly not going to make it onto the table or into my submission to Dragon, if it happens, but I'd like to know what you think anyways.)

-Would the player take any other penalties? Would the Monster?

Thanks in advance. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the matter.

I have looked at several other threads on parrying, but the ones on the first page of the search engine mostly had to do with Star Wars RPG or didn't get many replies. Sorry if I missed any.)
#2
veritascitor
Jan 13, 2009 22:37:12 There's no point, because, as you state, you're already parrying and so on in the midst of fighting, and that's factored into your defenses. You would definitely not want something like this as an at-will, because it completely changes the game. Now, as an encounter power, it's not so bad, but you'll find encounter powers that already do similar sorts of things when you're struck by an attack.
#3
Malph
Jan 13, 2009 23:10:59
1. Would you even think about homebrewing a power like this?

2. If the answer is Yes, then what level would you place it at, assuming the power is encounter based? At-Will based? (Note- At-Will is almost certainly not going to make it onto the table or into my submission to Dragon, if it happens, but I'd like to know what you think anyways.)

3. Would the player take any other penalties? Would the Monster?

1. No. The game assumes you are parrying. That's why everyone's AC goes up by 1/2 level + ; this shows that the higher level you are, you more skilled you are at parrying/dodging attacks, which makes perfect sense.

2. Having said what I did in #1, I don't think throwing in a Parry Utility would unbalance anything. If I had a player who really wanted it, I'd give to him without any fuss. I'd make damn sure it was an Encounter power, though.
If it's encounter, than it makes sense that a character can sometimes parry extra well.

3. I think this makes much more sense, and doesn't include an extra roll:

Parry Blah Blah Utility
Blah Blah flavor Text
Encounter * Utility
Immediate Interrupt
Trigger: An enemy hits you with a melee attack.
Effect: You gain a +4 bonus to AC for this attack.
#4
poseph
Jan 13, 2009 23:15:41 Thanks for the quick replies! I think I'll steal that power and show it to my friend. /thread
#5
Stuntman
Jan 14, 2009 1:40:02 Take a look at the Wizard Utility 2 spell called Shield and the Staff of Defence implement mastery feature. It sounds like you want something like that.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 poseph Jan 13, 2009 21:40:57	O.K. So, I'm working on a subset of powers that I might submit to Dragon Magazine at a later date, or at least use in my home games. A friend, who originally gave me the idea for the power subset, came up with a parry power, that goes a little something like this. Parry Blah Blah Utility ? Blah Blah flavor Text At-Will or Encounter * Martial, Weapon Immediate Interrupt Melee Trigger: An enemy hits you. Attack: STR or DEX vs. your opponents attack roll + 5 Hit: Your opponents attack misses Now, my gut feeling about this power is that is really doesn't belong in a DnD game. It adds an extra die roll to the game, which slows it down and begs the question, "Hey, if this guy can parry attacks, why can't my level ?" I also said that the DnD system assumes that your character is trying to parry, and not standing there getting hit. Although I told my friend what I thought about this power, he told me that it's not as good as it seems because you have to beat the enemies attack roll +5 (yes, +5 is a lot, I know). Even so, I promised him that I would post it here to see what you thought. Now, what I ask of you is- -Would you even think about homebrewing a power like this? -If the answer is Yes, then what level would you place it at, assuming the power is encounter based? At-Will based? (Note- At-Will is almost certainly not going to make it onto the table or into my submission to Dragon, if it happens, but I'd like to know what you think anyways.) -Would the player take any other penalties? Would the Monster? Thanks in advance. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the matter. I have looked at several other threads on parrying, but the ones on the first page of the search engine mostly had to do with Star Wars RPG or didn't get many replies. Sorry if I missed any.)
#2 veritascitor Jan 13, 2009 22:37:12	There's no point, because, as you state, you're already parrying and so on in the midst of fighting, and that's factored into your defenses. You would definitely not want something like this as an at-will, because it completely changes the game. Now, as an encounter power, it's not so bad, but you'll find encounter powers that already do similar sorts of things when you're struck by an attack.
#3 Malph Jan 13, 2009 23:10:59	1. Would you even think about homebrewing a power like this? 2. If the answer is Yes, then what level would you place it at, assuming the power is encounter based? At-Will based? (Note- At-Will is almost certainly not going to make it onto the table or into my submission to Dragon, if it happens, but I'd like to know what you think anyways.) 3. Would the player take any other penalties? Would the Monster? 1. No. The game assumes you are parrying. That's why everyone's AC goes up by 1/2 level + ; this shows that the higher level you are, you more skilled you are at parrying/dodging attacks, which makes perfect sense. 2. Having said what I did in #1, I don't think throwing in a Parry Utility would unbalance anything. If I had a player who really wanted it, I'd give to him without any fuss. I'd make damn sure it was an Encounter power, though. If it's encounter, than it makes sense that a character can sometimes parry extra well. 3. I think this makes much more sense, and doesn't include an extra roll: Parry Blah Blah Utility Blah Blah flavor Text Encounter * Utility Immediate Interrupt Trigger: An enemy hits you with a melee attack. Effect: You gain a +4 bonus to AC for this attack.
#4 poseph Jan 13, 2009 23:15:41	Thanks for the quick replies! I think I'll steal that power and show it to my friend. /thread
#5 Stuntman Jan 14, 2009 1:40:02	Take a look at the Wizard Utility 2 spell called Shield and the Staff of Defence implement mastery feature. It sounds like you want something like that.