Ability to change what defence you attack - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Ability to change what defence you attack

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
unundindur
Jun 17, 2008 2:01:26 Hello. I am working on some stuff that may hit the public in the future, and in this work I would like some oppinion on a very spesific ability.

How valuable is the ability to switch what defence you are attacking?

In my case, I am designing a paragon path, and want to give the class the following ability:

"Ability X (11th level): Whenever you use a power to target an enemy’s Armor Class, you can chose to instead target his Fortitude defence, abeit at a -5 penalty to hit. You must chose to use this ability before you make the attack roll."
[Substitutions made due to rights issues]

I am wondering what you guys and girls think about this ability, and this kind of ability in general.

Naturally, beeing able to switch what defence you target is a very powerful ability, which is why I wanted to put a rather harsh penalty to the attack, in addition to making it part of a paragon path.

Thanks for any help and advice.
#2
masteraaron
Jun 17, 2008 14:37:26 Which classes is this path designed for? With a penalty that outweighs the proficiency bonus like that, I'd say that it should be okay, but the class may change matters.
#3
eldritch_lord
Jun 17, 2008 14:55:52
Which classes is this path designed for? With a penalty that outweighs the proficiency bonus like that, I'd say that it should be okay, but the class may change matters.

My guess is Ranger or Fighter, since they have mostly Str vs. AC or Dex vs. AC powers.

--------------

It's probably balanced; fortitude is less commonly targeted, so -5 seems about right, though I'd lessen the penalty for Ref and increase it for Will. I'd say go for it.
#4
unundindur
Jun 17, 2008 19:11:32 Thanks for the heads up. It is indeed a ranger path, but one that is made easily adaptable for others. And I take your point into considderation regarding the stats.
#5
lostdwarf
Jun 17, 2008 23:46:47 Rogues have a first level at will that lets them attack ref instead of AC. The damage is not great, unless the rogue has combat advantage, but its available from the start. Unless there are major other advantages to it, I don't see such a power as game breaking, esp. if you are making them take a -5 penalty. With that big of a penalty you only gain a very modest advantage, and then not always even that. For a paragon path power I would say that is almost underpowered.

Edit, just realized that this allows the character to use any power vs fort, not just a specific power.

Actually, thats pretty darned good, but -5 is still a huge penalty when you are rolling d20s. I don't think its a game breaker.

When in doubt, playtest.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 unundindur Jun 17, 2008 2:01:26	Hello. I am working on some stuff that may hit the public in the future, and in this work I would like some oppinion on a very spesific ability. How valuable is the ability to switch what defence you are attacking? In my case, I am designing a paragon path, and want to give the class the following ability: "Ability X (11th level): Whenever you use a power to target an enemy’s Armor Class, you can chose to instead target his Fortitude defence, abeit at a -5 penalty to hit. You must chose to use this ability before you make the attack roll." [Substitutions made due to rights issues] I am wondering what you guys and girls think about this ability, and this kind of ability in general. Naturally, beeing able to switch what defence you target is a very powerful ability, which is why I wanted to put a rather harsh penalty to the attack, in addition to making it part of a paragon path. Thanks for any help and advice.
#2 masteraaron Jun 17, 2008 14:37:26	Which classes is this path designed for? With a penalty that outweighs the proficiency bonus like that, I'd say that it should be okay, but the class may change matters.
#3 eldritch_lord Jun 17, 2008 14:55:52	Which classes is this path designed for? With a penalty that outweighs the proficiency bonus like that, I'd say that it should be okay, but the class may change matters. My guess is Ranger or Fighter, since they have mostly Str vs. AC or Dex vs. AC powers. -------------- It's probably balanced; fortitude is less commonly targeted, so -5 seems about right, though I'd lessen the penalty for Ref and increase it for Will. I'd say go for it.
#4 unundindur Jun 17, 2008 19:11:32	Thanks for the heads up. It is indeed a ranger path, but one that is made easily adaptable for others. And I take your point into considderation regarding the stats.
#5 lostdwarf Jun 17, 2008 23:46:47	Rogues have a first level at will that lets them attack ref instead of AC. The damage is not great, unless the rogue has combat advantage, but its available from the start. Unless there are major other advantages to it, I don't see such a power as game breaking, esp. if you are making them take a -5 penalty. With that big of a penalty you only gain a very modest advantage, and then not always even that. For a paragon path power I would say that is almost underpowered. Edit, just realized that this allows the character to use any power vs fort, not just a specific power. Actually, thats pretty darned good, but -5 is still a huge penalty when you are rolling d20s. I don't think its a game breaker. When in doubt, playtest.