Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 faelar006 Jan 20, 2009 10:30:53	Hi all, I am currently playing a 7th level human taclord. Aside from one thing, I love everything about the class. However, that one thing is slowing down our gaming sessions and limiting the number of combats we experience. Basically, my turn in the initiative order takes forever (relatively speaking). I've always been the player who plans out my character's actions while the other PC's turns are going on, but I find this harder and harder to do as my warlord increases in level. The reason for this, I believe, is the sheer number of options I can deploy in any given combat, combined with the need to constantly keep track of the other players' actions, status conditions on them, their current hit points, the duration of the bonuses I've granted them, whether those bonuses stack with other bonuses, while making sure that they are taking advantage of Tactical Presence and Tactical Assault when they spend an action point and whether they are applying the bonus granted from Improved Tactician correctly, not to mention trying to divine on my turn the best tactical movement and whether I need to make an attack, grant an attack, grant a saving throw, grant temp. hit points, etc., etc. So, do other taclords have this problem or do ADD and taclords not mix? Faelar
#2 teepeekay Jan 20, 2009 10:56:29	D&D combat gets kind of complicated when you try to plan ahead. I can't see how durations are much of a problem, I'm so thankful for not having to keep track of rounds-of-duration-left anymore! One of the best things in 4th for me. Basically, trying to play each and every turn in a truly optimal way is bound to become a drag. My advice: Don't overthink it. Just do something every turn that is not lame, and hopefully somewhat clever.
#3 Stuntman Jan 20, 2009 11:55:05	Basically, my turn in the initiative order takes forever (relatively speaking). I've always been the player who plans out my character's actions while the other PC's turns are going on, but I find this harder and harder to do as my warlord increases in level. If no one is really complaining, then I wouldn't worry about it too much. Some players like to really think things through before making their move. If others are complaining that you are taking too long, I would suggest you give yourself some time limit. Think of it as a challenge to think faster. The reason for this, I believe, is the sheer number of options I can deploy in any given combat, combined with the need to constantly keep track of the other players' actions, status conditions on them, their current hit points, the duration of the bonuses I've granted them, whether those bonuses stack with other bonuses, while making sure that they are taking advantage of Tactical Presence and Tactical Assault when they spend an action point and whether they are applying the bonus granted from Improved Tactician correctly, not to mention trying to divine on my turn the best tactical movement and whether I need to make an attack, grant an attack, grant a saving throw, grant temp. hit points, etc., etc. Why are you keeping track of so many things for other players? Other players should be keeping track of their own conditions, hit points, etc. Other players should ask for your help if they are low on hp or need a boost. Static bonuses like Tactical Presence and Tactical Assault should be easy because the player spending the action point announces it. Just tell him his bonus when that happens. Other than that, there's nothing to keep track of. You should also train your party members that they get these bonuses, so they know to apply them and they know they will gain this advantage. Also, train them to ask for your help when they need things like temp hp, healing, a saving throw, etc. It just sounds like you are doing a lot of things that your other party members should be doing for themselves. They should help you keep track of stuff like any bonuses you grant them. If they are complaining that you are taking too long, then enlist their help to keep track of some things so you can concentrate more on just taking your turn.
#4 johnnii Jan 21, 2009 0:39:56	The reason for this, I believe, is the sheer number of options I can deploy in any given combat, combined with the need to constantly keep track of the other players' actions, status conditions on them, their current hit points, the duration of the bonuses I've granted them, whether those bonuses stack with other bonuses, while making sure that they are taking advantage of Tactical Presence and Tactical Assault when they spend an action point and whether they are applying the bonus granted from Improved Tactician correctly, not to mention trying to divine on my turn the best tactical movement and whether I need to make an attack, grant an attack, grant a saving throw, grant temp. hit points, etc., etc. So, do other taclords have this problem or do ADD and taclords not mix? Faelar The bolded part is the problem here, and also a blasphemy. Tell the players to track their own damn stats. And about action points, is easy to forget, but at 7th level the players should have get used to having these bonuses when spending an action point. If they need healing, the should say so. If they need more to hit, the should say so. If they need a saving throw, they should say so. It's good to ask them how they fare and if they need anything. But in the end, you are a Combat Leader, not a damn babysitter.
#5 faelar006 Jan 21, 2009 8:46:31	The bolded part is the problem here, and also a blasphemy. Tell the players to track their own damn stats. And about action points, is easy to forget, but at 7th level the players should have get used to having these bonuses when spending an action point. It's not so much that I'm having to track their status for them, but rather that I do so in order to keep from breaking the continuity of combat. I realize that much of my burden is self-imposed and in part has to do with how our group runs our combats. We try to keep the metagame aspects like bonuses, status effects, hit points, etc., down to a minimum to more effectively immerse ourselves into the combat. For example, instead of naming powers as we use them, we'll use certain phrases that describe the power somewhat. For example, when using Inspiring Word, I'll say something like "Don't quit on me now soldier!" Now that I'm thinking about it, I do see how they could incorporate asking for help into that. I'll talk with them about it. If they need healing, the should say so. If they need more to hit, the should say so. If they need a saving throw, they should say so. It's good to ask them how they fare and if they need anything. But in the end, you are a Combat Leader, not a damn babysitter. I thought "baby-sitter" was practically the entire job description for a platoon sergeant. :P Faelar
#6 crazysamaritan Jan 21, 2009 9:15:10	I thought "baby-sitter" was practically the entire job description for a platoon sergeant. :P Faelar After just finishing WLC, I can say no. No, it isn't. (You can play Baby-sitter, and Warlord is better than cleric for that, but Leaders don't have to.)
#7 Tony_Vargas Jan 23, 2009 20:04:28	I played a tactical warlord as my first 4e character, and my experience is basically similar. It works better if you keep on top of things as much as possible - who's hurt, what the initiative order is, etc. I have it a little easier, because our DM doesn't hide the initiative order, and we can game-speak among the players. I find that using cards to record powers and track thier use and durration works pretty well. I have all my powers on cards, and, when I use one, I leave the card out until the power is resolved, then flip it over. I even have a little stand where I put a card that affects multiple characters - generally, my Tactical Presence is in it, so everyone knows the bonus if they spend an AP. It helps, but I do still tend to take longer to finish my turn - I use all three actions most rounds, and I'm always counting squares and checking threatened areas and LoS, etc... :shrug: /I/ enjoy it, and, as long as no one's complaining about the delay, it's probably OK.