: dragonshaos March 20, 2009, 04:09:09 PM
Alright, so first off I made a character just to learn the process, lets say a lvl 1 Warlock, and one of the spells (Vampiric Embrace) says that for the Attack, I roll a Constitution vs. Will. I dont know what I need to do. Do I roll 1d20 and add Constitution modifiers for attack and Will for enemies defence? Please explain.
Aaand ummm... blah I hate being new to things... For a simple melee attack, it's just a 1d20 + modifiers to hit vs. enemy AC, and then damage is the weapon's damage + modifiers, correct? Reading over the rulebook is making me second guess everything.
: Tadanori Oyama March 20, 2009, 04:43:36 PM
In 3.5 everything was either strength or dexterity added to the attack roll, plus base attack, etc.
In 4E, your basic measure of "to hit" is your ability modifier.
With that Warlock, let's say you have a Constitution of 16 (it should be 18, since it's probably your main attack stat, depending on the build but we're saying 16), so you have a +3 modifier.
The second bonus is your level bonus. This is similar to your base attack but it is not the same thing. Every class adds one hald of their level rounded down to their attack rolls, whatever attribute they use. So, at first level, it'll be +0. When you reach level 2, it grows to +1.
Most attacks also add the ability mod to damage. DO NOT, however, add half your level to damage, only to attack.
So for this example warlock a roll an attack again an enemy with a Will defense of, let's say, 15, you would roll as follows:
Attack roll
Rolling 1d20+3: (13)+3: Total = 16
Damage
Rolling 1d6+3: (1)+3: Total = 4
: dragonshaos March 20, 2009, 05:00:22 PM
: Tadanori Oyama March 20, 2009, 05:15:50 PM
Also remember that abilities will almost always have a lower attack value if they don't use a weapon, ie a Warlock's Eldrich Blast instead of a Warlord's Viper Strike. The Warlord's longsword adds +3 to attacks because of it's Proficency Bonus.
So, given equal abilities of 18 (18 Strength for the Warlord and 18 Constitution for the Warlock) with both at first level, the Warlord attacks with a +7 (+4 str and +3 prof) while the Warlock is only at +4 (+4 con and no prof bonus).
But, the Warlord is attacking AC with his sword and this monster has a 19 AC. The Warlock, attacking Reflex, is aiming for only 15. So while the Warlord needs a 12 or higher, the Warlock needs only 11.
In you'll do well if you can aim at the right defenses. AC is almost always highest and most monsters (barring solos generally who mostly have high defenses all-round) have at least one low defense that can be exploited.
: dragonshaos March 20, 2009, 05:32:16 PM
: Tadanori Oyama March 20, 2009, 05:45:14 PM
: dragonshaos March 22, 2009, 04:29:17 AM
When creating a character your able to choose 2 At-Will, 1 Encounter, and 1 Daily power(s). However it shows that characters are given some powers just for picking the class. An example being the Paladin who gets his Channel Divinity (Encounter), Divine Challenge (At Will), and Lay on Hands (At Will). Now my question is, do these powers count as your choice of spells, meaning I would now only get to pick a Daily? Or do I get these plus my choice of selectable powers?
: Dawnsteel March 22, 2009, 10:37:33 AM
Or do I get these plus my choice of selectable powers?
As I understand the rules, for your paladin, you get your choice of two first-level at-will, one encounter, and one daily power(s), IN ADDITION to the class "bonus" powers of Channel Divinity, Divine Challenge, and Lay on Hands.
: dragonshaos March 22, 2009, 03:25:04 PM
Oh!
Going back to the Paladin, in a battle it's powers could include such attack powers as Holy Strike (Standard, At Will) and Valiant Strike (Standard, At Will) at level 1. My questions for this are:
Since these attacks require melee weapons, would you get a weapons proficiency bonus to hit with this power?
If a Paladin could do these attacks in exchange for their regular simple melee attack, is there ever a point for them to use regular simple melee attacks aside from role playing (which isn't going to happen with my group unless I were to state otherwise) or the fact that their attacks could be resisted by specialized monsters?
And finally, it says the Paladin is proficient with all simple/military melee weapons, does that mean he gains the proficiency bonus when wielding them?
: Tadanori Oyama March 22, 2009, 03:31:48 PM
And there is no reason not to use at-wills whenever possible. They always have more effects than your basic melee.
However, there are exceptions (ALOT of those in 4E since it's a exceptions based rule system). Sometimes you gain bonuses that apply only to basic attacks, meaning you can deal more damage with them that at-wills. Those condition are rare. Basic attacks generally show up as 1) opportunity attacks, 2) bonuses from other people's powers, or 3) bonuses from class features.
For example, an Anarch of Shar (a Swordmage Paragon path) gets a free basic melee attack, in addition to any other actions, whenever he spends an action point.
And yes, he gains the bonus on any weapon he is proficent with. A character can weild a weapon they are not proficent with without addition penalty, they just do not gain the prof. bonus to attack rolls.
: dragonshaos March 22, 2009, 03:44:52 PM
So now for some Warlock Questions!
Warlocks Curse at lvl 1 for a minor action allows the Warlock to do 1d6 more damage to enemies afflicted with it. However the book dose not state that the Warlock must roll to hit anything. So is it just assumed that the Curse always hits unless a special rule for the monster exists?
And! Warlocks enter 1 of 3 pacts (Fey, Infernal, and Star) which gives them access to spells. Can a Warlock only gain access to those spells of their chosen pact?
Thank you by the way for all your help guys. The game is making a lot more sense to me and reading it is becoming easier. I may hold an actual session in the near future.
: Tadanori Oyama March 22, 2009, 03:52:58 PM
Eldrich Blast deals 1d10. If it hits a Cursed target then it deals 1d10+1d6.
A Warlock's Pact ONLY effect the character's At-Will powers. They have to take the At-Will for their pact. They do not have to choose other powers linked to their pact. However, there is a bonus to some powers if you have the same pact as the power's keyed pact.
: dragonshaos March 22, 2009, 04:02:02 PM
Reading over the Warlock I see that I had read it wrong the first time...
So the pact you choose will tell you one of two At Will spells you may pick, the pact picking one for you, and still having the default 2 will powers to pick you would now have 1 At Will power of your choice.
Blah! I get it now. Alright...Im going to read up on other class and races and see if I can muster up some more questions.
Thanks for the help!
: Tadanori Oyama March 22, 2009, 05:06:51 PM
Every Warlock has their pact At-Will and Eldrich Blast. Only Humans (who get an extra At-Will power) can have different ones.
: dragonshaos March 22, 2009, 05:33:37 PM
Well, it seems Ive missed some things while reading. Ill just re-re-re-read things and if I still don't get it, or I'm unable to find answers in the book, then ill post them here. Or if I'm lazy...yaaaaa lazy...
: Tadanori Oyama March 22, 2009, 10:03:46 PM
10+8+6+7= 31 damage if he rolls max, 10 if he rolls min. 31 will nearly drop a 3rd level monster.
It's also thematically awesome. Generally it's considered to look like something akin to a black lightning bolt.
: dragonshaos March 25, 2009, 10:49:11 PM
I'm assuming it's divided up. Just checking :P
: clockworkjoe March 25, 2009, 11:05:38 PM
: dragonshaos March 25, 2009, 11:11:37 PM
: Tadanori Oyama March 25, 2009, 11:50:15 PM
: dragonshaos March 26, 2009, 12:05:48 AM
: Tadanori Oyama March 26, 2009, 01:20:12 AM
If PCs start uncorking Dailies, monsters you thought where too tough for them will start crashing because most one a day attacks do damage even if they miss. Then throw in utility augumentations, weapon powers, and action points; it's starting to look rough for that formerly ruling monster.
Anyway, follow the XP spend system and you'll do alright (I have), just don't try to hit the PCs too hard or you'll "force" them to expend their big tricks and they'll feel the need to set up camp for the day.
My encounter design can be summarized as: "Don't go for the knock-out blow, work the gut".
: dragonshaos March 26, 2009, 01:30:32 AM
: dragonshaos March 27, 2009, 06:30:40 PM
I'm in the process of making some very minor magic weapons/armor. I have just a few simple questions:
How does one name the new magic weapon/armor? Is it simply 'Magic Staff +1' or 'Dueling Greatsword of +6'? I know with unique/legendary weapons/armor I can name them and stuff, like 'Plague Bringer' or 'Bane's Axe of Fury'.
What should be a limit for a group of lvl 1's in a dungeon with magic items. Like how many (I had planned 2-3 very simple ones from special rooms, and a Greataxe with the Vicious enchantment +1 from an Elite at end of dungeon) simple magic items should here be? And if so, what kind of enchantment would be taking it just a little too far.
: Maze March 27, 2009, 06:41:01 PM
: dragonshaos March 27, 2009, 06:50:24 PM
So giving magic items names, no matter how unimpressive they are, would be better than calling them "Staff of magic...+1!' or 'Armor of +1 AC'.
Just wondering which is the 'norm'. I wanted to add in useless items like "The Great Sword with Heated grip" which keeps the players hands warm, or "Eye Patch of Partial Blindness". Just for fun. I will add those now. I want someone to wear the eye patch.
: Tadanori Oyama March 27, 2009, 11:00:42 PM
Wonderous items are an excpetion, they are normally named after their function.
: dragonshaos March 27, 2009, 11:12:36 PM
And btw, what are these +1/2/3/4/5/6 enhancement? I'm assuming they are the bonuses you add to the appropriate category (AC, defenses, and/or attack and damage rolls) for the enchantment. Such as a frost dagger has a +1 lvl3 enchantment to attack and damage rolls. Do I apply +1 to attack and damage rolls?
Im pretty sure I do, but I just want to check first.
: Tadanori Oyama March 28, 2009, 12:14:46 AM
Weapons add their bonus to attack and damage rolls when using that weapon.
Armor adds it's bonus to AC.
Neck slot items add their bonus to the three defenses (Fortitude, Reflex, Will).
As for names I use the spread: "magic name" "weapon name" "bonus amount".
So, a longsword with the vorpal enchantment with a +6 bonus would be: A Vorpal Longsword +6.
: Dawnsteel March 28, 2009, 01:13:52 AM
Greatsword of Toasty Digits
Plague-Bringer Staff (infects everyone within a 15' radius with a common cold)
I love ridiculous magic items.
: dragonshaos April 12, 2009, 04:42:56 AM
When creating a character and choosing your class, your given the option to choose a set of skills from a list. However sometimes I'll see that your immediately given a skill, such as Religion for paladins, but then your able to choose Religion from the list... So my question is can you be trained in a skill twice this way, not including feats or anything other than just the class selection.
Oh! And Skill challenges...I understand their concept and how to use them, however I'm unsure as to which skills to use and what not.If someone can give me two or more real quick examples that would help. Such as...umm...Players need to convince a dragon to help fight off some bandits. It's a Complexity 2, Moderate DC 15. (umm...) Primary skills are Diplomacy, Bluff, Dungeoneering and Nature. So after reading over Skill checks and Skill challenges again, if I had a group of players do this, would they deesignate a primary player to make the checks, would they only get to use each check once, etc etc?
: Tadanori Oyama April 12, 2009, 09:22:32 AM
Skill challenges have changed quite a bit from the original published material. Dragon Magazine has a whole series of articales deticated to explaining and streamlining skill challeneges.
As the DM you have alot of discression in how to use Skill Challenges. I use them in two ways: round formate or free-form.
In round formate the players enter into a round where each person has the option of using a skill. I use this formate when they are in a time sensative situation. They may act in any order within the round and each round represents a total amount of time that passes, such as one hour or one day or even just one minute.
In a free form, the players are able to use their skills as they wish. Most diplomacy, I consider freeform with the players coming up with ideas as they go. If the player wants to try something outside the primary skills, that's fine, as long as they can explain how it will help and are willing to take a slightly higher DC.
: dragonshaos April 12, 2009, 02:03:55 PM
: dragonshaos April 17, 2009, 03:10:41 AM
So, the Warlord has a +3 Bluff, +7 Dip, +0 Dungeon, +8 History, and +0 insight. Now I want to know if I did this right. He said he wanted to try Diplomacy first, he gave me a rousing speech (in character too!) and passed, then he tried to Bluff them, failed, now he has a -2 modifier to future bluff checks, tried diplomacy again, failed, no penalty yet, and then tried History, failed, making him lose the challenge and thus gain no supporters, if anything he made thigns worse for them (Mwahahaha!)
So my question is for a simple basic skill challenge (I excluded real details here, like what each would do and penalties if he failed etc...), did I do it right? And if not what did I do wrong.
: Tadanori Oyama April 17, 2009, 12:07:26 PM
That said, if you roll like crap, then you lose.
A challenge can serve as an encounter during non-action sequences or a way to resolve a social conflict with game mechnics. Losing one should cause problems, but not stop the game. For example, a party traveling through the wilds using a skill challenge. If they fail, they still get where they where doing it just takes longer, or they lose some surges, or fight a tough monster.
: dragonshaos April 17, 2009, 04:12:28 PM
: dragonshaos May 31, 2009, 04:32:58 PM
So aside from some planning between players during turns combat just seems to take a long time. We had a 3 hour (longest yet) battle with a pack of wolves.
Any tips on how to cut down on time? Ive already implemented if you don't have a plan on your tuen, your skipped rule.
: Maze May 31, 2009, 05:00:26 PM
If the planning isn't what is slowing down the combat, what else is it? Unless each player is constantly referencing to his powers taking forever to figure out the elementary school math (no offense, but it's not rocket science), are you yourself taking a long time with your NPC opponents?
: dragonshaos May 31, 2009, 05:24:05 PM
I think the main time consuming thing is that they all try to position themselves a certain way to maximize effectiveness during other players turns and can't seem to do the basic math sadly.
: clockworkjoe May 31, 2009, 08:23:29 PM
If they still have problems, do the math for them. Keep a cheat sheet with all of their bonuses then just ask them what they rolled. You will tell them if they hit or miss.
: dragonshaos June 01, 2009, 01:04:59 AM
If they still have problems, do the math for them. Keep a cheat sheet with all of their bonuses then just ask them what they rolled. You will tell them if they hit or miss.
Ill probrably have to do that for them...
Friend just got the Character Builder to work on my laptop (vista) with the latest version so I'll go make their characters again.