How Would You Update Taint to 4E? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

How Would You Update Taint to 4E?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
leliel
Jan 06, 2009 16:18:19 Well, I have that old 3.5 supplement, Heroes of Horror, and I am enthralled by the idea of Taint-no matter how good or evil you are, you always have a risk of gaining the stuff, and given my liking for the idea that your alignment has no bearing on your physical corruption, you could be a wonderful person who's always fearing that last bit of taint, and then being shoved out of your body and watch helplessly as some primal force of evil happily uses it to reap havoc.

Unfortuanately for me, I only know 4E, so...

How would you translate Taint mechanics into 4e?
#2
erk_
Jan 06, 2009 16:28:03 I'm going to assume that the HoH taint is about the same as the one in Unearthed Arcana...

Take a look at the Spellscarred multiclass-only class from Forgotten Realms. You could pretty easily design something like that as a Tainted class. If you wanted to go all out you could even design three: Divine, Martial, and Arcane tainted classes.

I'd have the "building up taint" mechanic run almost the same as in 3.5e - I don't remember it too well anymore, but most of it was an independent mechanic and could probably be ported almost directly IIRC.

For the tainted classes, I'd make a character of sufficient taint able to take an M/C feat to access the class abilities of one of those classes, and spend feats to gain abilities like any other M/C. Alternately, for characters of sufficient taint level I might suggest even forcing them to temporarily lose class abilities and have them replaced with Taint abilities. I can think of some mechanics for how to run this, but I'll be quiet until there's been more feedback.
#3
Dreamstryder
Jan 07, 2009 16:50:39 I like that idea of replacing powers. Instead of measuring taint points, you could keep going until all your known powers are taint powers. powers would be replaced from highest to lowest level, daily, utility, encounter, and finally your at-wills.

Either (1) these taint powers are such that you can't help but hurt yourself or others when using them, or (2) you start rolling death saves when all your powers are taint powers.

Either choice, taint should be removable at least up to a point, replaceable in reverse order to gaining (lowest level and at-wills first). Make a ritual and/or add it as the effect of some prayers.

For taint powers, I wonder if one list would be sufficient, or if they should differ depending on class roll (Striker, Defender)?
#4
LordArchaon
Jan 08, 2009 20:22:20 Good ideas! I was very much into aint at the times.

Another possible approach would be to design feats very much like the gladiatorial styles in the "We Who Are About to Die.." article in a previous Dragon issue.

Each of them would modify a bunch of powers from many classes at once, and with a recurring theme, different from feat to feat. You could have for example a "Craven Taint" feat that modifies powers so that, for example, you do less damage and automatically flee after hitting. With variants on this mechanic different from class to class.

Not much of an idea, just an idea.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 leliel Jan 06, 2009 16:18:19	Well, I have that old 3.5 supplement, Heroes of Horror, and I am enthralled by the idea of Taint-no matter how good or evil you are, you always have a risk of gaining the stuff, and given my liking for the idea that your alignment has no bearing on your physical corruption, you could be a wonderful person who's always fearing that last bit of taint, and then being shoved out of your body and watch helplessly as some primal force of evil happily uses it to reap havoc. Unfortuanately for me, I only know 4E, so... How would you translate Taint mechanics into 4e?
#2 erk_ Jan 06, 2009 16:28:03	I'm going to assume that the HoH taint is about the same as the one in Unearthed Arcana... Take a look at the Spellscarred multiclass-only class from Forgotten Realms. You could pretty easily design something like that as a Tainted class. If you wanted to go all out you could even design three: Divine, Martial, and Arcane tainted classes. I'd have the "building up taint" mechanic run almost the same as in 3.5e - I don't remember it too well anymore, but most of it was an independent mechanic and could probably be ported almost directly IIRC. For the tainted classes, I'd make a character of sufficient taint able to take an M/C feat to access the class abilities of one of those classes, and spend feats to gain abilities like any other M/C. Alternately, for characters of sufficient taint level I might suggest even forcing them to temporarily lose class abilities and have them replaced with Taint abilities. I can think of some mechanics for how to run this, but I'll be quiet until there's been more feedback.
#3 Dreamstryder Jan 07, 2009 16:50:39	I like that idea of replacing powers. Instead of measuring taint points, you could keep going until all your known powers are taint powers. powers would be replaced from highest to lowest level, daily, utility, encounter, and finally your at-wills. Either (1) these taint powers are such that you can't help but hurt yourself or others when using them, or (2) you start rolling death saves when all your powers are taint powers. Either choice, taint should be removable at least up to a point, replaceable in reverse order to gaining (lowest level and at-wills first). Make a ritual and/or add it as the effect of some prayers. For taint powers, I wonder if one list would be sufficient, or if they should differ depending on class roll (Striker, Defender)?
#4 LordArchaon Jan 08, 2009 20:22:20	Good ideas! I was very much into aint at the times. Another possible approach would be to design feats very much like the gladiatorial styles in the "We Who Are About to Die.." article in a previous Dragon issue. Each of them would modify a bunch of powers from many classes at once, and with a recurring theme, different from feat to feat. You could have for example a "Craven Taint" feat that modifies powers so that, for example, you do less damage and automatically flee after hitting. With variants on this mechanic different from class to class. Not much of an idea, just an idea.