Daily Item use change to 1/encounter - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Daily Item use change to 1/encounter

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Johnny_Vegas
Jan 19, 2009 10:04:28 I just started letting magic item daily uses accumulate at 1/encounter instead of 1/milestone.

I think its better for my group in all respects. You still can only use a daily item once per day. It keeps WoTC's goal of capping item usage it just loosens it a little so items start to become useful again. Before the rule change my entire group had avoided buying (when allowed to buy items) items with daily item use powers like the plague (they favor encounter power items, or persisten effects). This was my first indicator that the rule as written was too restrictive.

The first session I tried it the wizard was grateful he was able to use his shadowfell gloves in the first combat to get past some duergar fire resistance, knowing he was going to be able to use his orb of sanguinary repercussions later in the session (which he did).

All in all the rule changed only amounted to one extra item use for the entire session, but I foresee that jumping up in future sessions.

Concern over 'magic item spamming' by stockpiling your usages to the last fight of the session I think is not warranted. Reason being, the magic item use powers are inferior to the other encounter and daily powers that PC's have at their disposal. Wand of Eldritch Rain (8th level item) still only lets you fire off a 3rd level Encounter power. For an 8th level char having various similar wands, you might be able to blast 4 of them in the final encounter, but you are still limited to one per round, and if you are doing that you are NOT using your level 7 encounter, or level 8 daily.
#2
Goober4473
Jan 20, 2009 10:18:05 Sounds liek a fine house rule, but I would limit use of a maximum of two items per encounter, to make sure they can't stockpile. Or even, let them use an item power once per encounter, and leave it at that. No building up uses or anything. "Use magic item daily power" just becomes an encounter power for all characters that resets on a short rest.

A level 3 encounter power at level 8 is still pretty good, especially compared to at-will powers. You get to use your level 1, 3, and 7 encounter powers, any dailies you're going to, then spam level 3 encounter powers from items in place of spamming at-wills.
#3
Johnny_Vegas
Jan 20, 2009 22:55:40
Sounds liek a fine house rule, but I would limit use of a maximum of two items per encounter

If I start to see a problem I'll probably go with this restriction, thanks. Hey its how they capped Healing Word too.
#4
mellored
Jan 20, 2009 23:40:57 Seems fine as a house rule. It makes items used more, but it also prevent using 3 daily items in one battle. So while you can up your regular battles a slight bit, you may have to dampen your BBEG battles down a little.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Johnny_Vegas Jan 19, 2009 10:04:28	I just started letting magic item daily uses accumulate at 1/encounter instead of 1/milestone. I think its better for my group in all respects. You still can only use a daily item once per day. It keeps WoTC's goal of capping item usage it just loosens it a little so items start to become useful again. Before the rule change my entire group had avoided buying (when allowed to buy items) items with daily item use powers like the plague (they favor encounter power items, or persisten effects). This was my first indicator that the rule as written was too restrictive. The first session I tried it the wizard was grateful he was able to use his shadowfell gloves in the first combat to get past some duergar fire resistance, knowing he was going to be able to use his orb of sanguinary repercussions later in the session (which he did). All in all the rule changed only amounted to one extra item use for the entire session, but I foresee that jumping up in future sessions. Concern over 'magic item spamming' by stockpiling your usages to the last fight of the session I think is not warranted. Reason being, the magic item use powers are inferior to the other encounter and daily powers that PC's have at their disposal. Wand of Eldritch Rain (8th level item) still only lets you fire off a 3rd level Encounter power. For an 8th level char having various similar wands, you might be able to blast 4 of them in the final encounter, but you are still limited to one per round, and if you are doing that you are NOT using your level 7 encounter, or level 8 daily.
#2 Goober4473 Jan 20, 2009 10:18:05	Sounds liek a fine house rule, but I would limit use of a maximum of two items per encounter, to make sure they can't stockpile. Or even, let them use an item power once per encounter, and leave it at that. No building up uses or anything. "Use magic item daily power" just becomes an encounter power for all characters that resets on a short rest. A level 3 encounter power at level 8 is still pretty good, especially compared to at-will powers. You get to use your level 1, 3, and 7 encounter powers, any dailies you're going to, then spam level 3 encounter powers from items in place of spamming at-wills.
#3 Johnny_Vegas Jan 20, 2009 22:55:40	Sounds liek a fine house rule, but I would limit use of a maximum of two items per encounter If I start to see a problem I'll probably go with this restriction, thanks. Hey its how they capped Healing Word too.
#4 mellored Jan 20, 2009 23:40:57	Seems fine as a house rule. It makes items used more, but it also prevent using 3 daily items in one battle. So while you can up your regular battles a slight bit, you may have to dampen your BBEG battles down a little.