The most obvious answer is of course: retrain into tempest dance and abuse the snot out of it until the DM figures out using it on one target is broken, and thus looks at it, and rules appropriately.
Exploit the crap out of it til they learn the error of their ways.
I mean, come on, 3 attacks at level 1? On a defender? How do they think that makes any kind of sense???
The best part is, the DM allows us to take extra power based on book ownership (he owns the store) so since I have the PHB I have two dailies. Let's see what happens when I villain's menace, action point, Tempest Dance. The strikers will soon join my cries for justice.
PtM
Exploit the crap out of it til they learn the error of their ways.
I mean, come on, 3 attacks at level 1? On a defender? How do they think that makes any kind of sense???
Because it lets you mark 3 targets, and multi-marking is awesome for fighters. This is why Dragonborn fighters (mark with Dragon Breath) and Fighter-MC Wizard for Thunderwave are popular options.
Exploit the crap out of it til they learn the error of their ways.
I mean, come on, 3 attacks at level 1? On a defender? How do they think that makes any kind of sense???
Because it lets you mark 3 targets, and multi-marking is awesome for fighters. This is why Dragonborn fighters (mark with Dragon Breath) and Fighter-MC Wizard for Thunderwave are popular options.
Right, that's intended. How it's being played ATM is all 3 attacks hitting the same creature. Broken as hell.
The thing is, if you can't convince the DM, you might just convince the player who has the power, and he can choose not to use it as the DM allows.
Okay, so my group had decided that tempest dance can hit the same target with each attack. Of course it can't but the DM doesn't seem to care enough to make the call, so it stands.
Since as written it CAN target the same creature with all of its attacks, why are you complaining again? There is no rule that a second or third target can't be the same as the first target.
If you care, you can show the players and DM the totally incorrect (and in conflict with RAW) FAQ that says you can't.
Okay, so my group had decided that tempest dance can hit the same target with each attack. Of course it can't but the DM doesn't seem to care enough to make the call, so it stands.
Since as written it CAN target the same creature with all of its attacks, why are you complaining again? There is no rule that a second or third target can't be the same as the first target.
If you care, you can show the players and DM the totally incorrect (and in conflict with RAW) FAQ that says you can't.
The wording, "second target" and "third target" require there to be two and three targets, respectively, just as a power that has "two targets" in the target line must hit two different targets. If a power has "two targets" in the target line, can you choose one creature as both targets? No. Why would "second target" be any different?
And more to the point, even if by RAW you were somehow correct (you aren't) why in hell would anyone take a 3[W] attack when they could just take an attack that lets them attack 3 times? The latter, if able to be used on a single target, is better in every way.
Other powers that give additional melee attacks in the Effect line usually clearly specify that the target must be different than the primary target. See Dance of Blades (Fighter lv13, MP) for an example of this, as well as a bunch of the dailies from Fighter Essentials in Dragon #378. If Tempest Dance requires three targets, why would they not specify here as they did with other powers?
I do think an errata needs to be issued to clarify the target requirements.
I play a Tempest Fighter, and our group allows Tempest Dance to strike the same target. I usually don't do so, because it does feel a bit too powerful. The problem with that, though, is that it's not really a useful power if you can't use it on a single target. It could be great if you were surrounded by three enemies, but honestly, the 'important' fights for which you actually pull out your Daily powers tend to be against relatively small groups of more powerful enemies - Solos and Elites. When I decide not to use it on a single target, I just rarely if ever find an opportunity to use it.
As for RAI? I'm not sure on the truth of that, either. If it is intended to allow three strikes on a single foe, then yes, it is a pretty damned potent attack for a Defender... but I think that what needs to be understood about Tempest Fighters is that, really, they are Strikers. They're all about hitting multiple times and doing loads of damage. A Tempest Fighter's mark isn't about locking enemies in place (though is is still useful to do that against most Controllers), it's about having a chance to hit more often. As Defenders, Tempests can be very lacking - they've got very little CON to speak of, so they're short on both HP and surges compared to most Defenders, and they're trapped in light armor. My Tempest Fighter tends to do more damage on average than the party rogue, and is less survivable - I get targeted more often, I'm easier to hit, and it's harder for me to pull out of danger. I have more HP and a few more surges, but not by a wide margin. So, yeah... definitely feels like a Striker to me.
As to your "it's really for strikers" issue, the problem here is that any fighter can use Tempest Dance. It doesn't require two-weapon use. A Battlerager McBarb with Hide Armor Expertise, a heavy shield, and a big damn waraxe or bastardsword can use this just as well with no sacrifice in survivability. Ragers don't need offhand weapons to get their +damage, and they're the best tanking fighters hands down.
The wording, "second target" and "third target" require there to be two and three targets, respectively, just as a power that has "two targets" in the target line must hit two different targets. If a power has "two targets" in the target line, can you choose one creature as both targets? No. Why would "second target" be any different?
Powers that require second and third targets to be different always say so. There is no requirement (unlike two creatures in a target line) that the second or third target be different. It is just as easy to assume that second and third just mean "target for the second attack" and "target for the third attack".
FAQ doesn't change the rules, errata does. If you want to play by RAI, sure it's a fantastic indicator. But until they errata it, IMO the RAW is that all three targets can be the same creature. Obviously that's only important if your DM is hardline about playing RAW, or in LFR (which I think can actually use FAQ now in addition to RAW).
Anyway, despite my arguments over RAW etc, my real point is: Show the DM/players the FAQ entry for the power.
I think that RAW isn't really clear on the matter of one target or multiple targets for Tempest Dance.
I don't see how there could be confusion here. The first target is the first target. He can't be the second or third target, he's already the first.
I play a Tempest Fighter, and our group allows Tempest Dance to strike the same target. I usually don't do so, because it does feel a bit too powerful. The problem with that, though, is that it's not really a useful power if you can't use it on a single target.
I also play a Tempest Fighter, one of two two-weapon fighters in our group, and we play it as written. It's EXTREMELY useful as written. I've used it primarily for its multi-marking (the movement being necessary to get to the targets I wanted to mark); I've also used it primarily for its double shift (getting to whack people along the way being a bonus).
It could be great if you were surrounded by three enemies, but honestly, the 'important' fights for which you actually pull out your Daily powers tend to be against relatively small groups of more powerful enemies - Solos and Elites. When I decide not to use it on a single target, I just rarely if ever find an opportunity to use it.
I've never really been bothered that I couldn't use it on a single target. I've used it in over half our level-1 combats that I had it available for. (Haven't had a level-2 combat yet.) Granted, a single-target nova power is also needed... and at level 5 I'll pick a daily with that in mind. But right now I love Tempest Dance.
...but I think that what needs to be understood about Tempest Fighters is that, really, they are Strikers.
I would tend to agree with this, except for one problem: shortly AFTER Martial Power (and thus Tempest Fighters) was released, Wizards errata'ed Dual Strike to require two targets. They finally have a fighter build that is likely to use it, and they promptly take away its single-target ability. Meanwhile, the two-blade ranger - who is definitely a striker - can use Twin Strike to hit one target or two.
The first target is the first target. He can't be the second or third target, he's already the first.
That is an assumption that is not backed by the text of the power (though it is apparently backed by an FAQ). It doesn't say that Monster A can't be both the first target and the second target.
That said, the confusion stems primarily from precedent set by other powers.
Again, I'll refer to Dance of Blades as an example, though there are many others:
Effect: You can shift 3 squares and make a secondary attack.
Secondary Target: One creature other than the primary target
If all other powers (or at least most other powers) that require multiple targets clearly and directly state that they must have multiple targets as above, then why did they not do so for Tempest Dance? Since multiple targets is the intention, they should release an update to state that requirement in a manner that is consistent with other powers with that requirement.
I would tend to agree with this, except for one problem: shortly AFTER Martial Power (and thus Tempest Fighters) was released, Wizards errata'ed Dual Strike to require two targets. They finally have a fighter build that is likely to use it, and they promptly take away its single-target ability. Meanwhile, the two-blade ranger - who is definitely a striker - can use Twin Strike to hit one target or two.
(Emphasis mine)
I think there's some confusion here. You speak as if the Dual Strike power had already been sitting around unused until the Tempest Fighter was released, but that is not the case. Dual Strike is from Martial Power - it was created for the Tempest Figther.
Before errata, Dual Strike was over-powered compared to Ranger Twin Strike. Both could target one or two enemies, but Dual Strike did 1[W] + STR, whereas Twin Strike didn't get a STR bonus to damage. The errata removed the +STR damage and added the two target requirement. Pre-errata, it did more damage per round than Rangers - arguably the Strikiest (I think I invented that word?) of all classes. Post-errata it now does less damage than a Ranger (once Hunter's Quarry is taken into account), but still does more damage than many other Striker at-wills.
Having a multi-target requirement on an at-will is not a serious limitation to me. First of all, it requires only two targets, not three. That would come up quite regularly even if you actively tried to avoid it. Second, it's an at-will, so every time it comes up, you use it - unlike a daily power, you never have to find yourself thinking, "I could use it now, but is it a waste of a precious Daily?"
Also, I think you must rest more often than our group does (or is allowed to). We expect to get 5-6 encounters between extended rests, so using a level 1 daily in every level 1 combat where it's available would amount to using it once or twice. Daily powers can be used only rarely and as such are not squandered on any fight that does not pose a threat of wiping us out.