Stacking (ED4)
Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2017 6:23 pm
Many people, when making characters that develop (to say sixth circle) tend to forget or miss certain advantages that the game offers. Let's say for a moment that they do not. What are folks thoughts on stacking.
For example, a simple Warrior (Circle 6) case:
- Talent Rank 7 Melee
- Sword (Novice) with +2 Attack Bonus or Talent Rank
- Dexterity Step 7
- Item (Journey) giving another +3 attack bonus (Ring of Rage or Gauntlets of Skill)
- Joined a Player Group and Threaded Melee to +5 (a stretch but +4 would be normal)
- A spell from a friendly player granting normally +3 attack but with 2 extra threads to grant +7 instead)
You end up with a 6th Circle Warrior boasting a frightening Step 33 easily enhanced by Karma or some of the other talents while boosted by the spell and a paltry 26 without the spell at nearly all times when working for the goals of the group. Keeping in mind they will use karma (only step 4).
Step 26 + Karma = d20 + d12 + 3d6
I have mixed feelings about this. Players with more power - not a real problem. They might be able to confront a Named Horror.
Seems to me if this is the case, then the NPCs should be expected to have more flavor as well (that Boatman or Pirate is likely to be in a group that serves their trusty Riverboat, the captain is likely to have a pattern Item for the Riverboat adding a frightening +5 to +8 bonus to one to three talents/defenses). I make characters like this all the time to confront the players because I think it adds flavor but it is cumbersome to make.
The drawback is - those basic beasts of Challenge Rating 4, 5 or 6 are entirely overpowered by a group of such characters unless they are a swarm (40+ creatures that are bound to get some glorious wrap ups).
Are threads supposed to stack like that? What are people's thoughts?
-- Can two magic items add to the same Talent?
-- Can you add a Group Thread or Pattern Item Thread bonus to that?
The most horrifying thought would be some cult which intends to bring their "Savior" to ultimate power. They worship and bless her for years and she now has 4 pattern items which her 7th circle lieutenants have bound to Rank 8 to help her. Maybe she is a spellcaster and they have increased her defenses and her spellcasting. +32 Spellcasting and +24 to all defenses?!?! Plus another +5 to all of them as she belongs to the group and is Circle 10. Yikes! If you want to take her on you have to take her followers first. I haven't done anything like that, of course. But you could imagine some Therans creating such cults or worse - some Invae.
~ Loba
For example, a simple Warrior (Circle 6) case:
- Talent Rank 7 Melee
- Sword (Novice) with +2 Attack Bonus or Talent Rank
- Dexterity Step 7
- Item (Journey) giving another +3 attack bonus (Ring of Rage or Gauntlets of Skill)
- Joined a Player Group and Threaded Melee to +5 (a stretch but +4 would be normal)
- A spell from a friendly player granting normally +3 attack but with 2 extra threads to grant +7 instead)
You end up with a 6th Circle Warrior boasting a frightening Step 33 easily enhanced by Karma or some of the other talents while boosted by the spell and a paltry 26 without the spell at nearly all times when working for the goals of the group. Keeping in mind they will use karma (only step 4).
Step 26 + Karma = d20 + d12 + 3d6
I have mixed feelings about this. Players with more power - not a real problem. They might be able to confront a Named Horror.
Seems to me if this is the case, then the NPCs should be expected to have more flavor as well (that Boatman or Pirate is likely to be in a group that serves their trusty Riverboat, the captain is likely to have a pattern Item for the Riverboat adding a frightening +5 to +8 bonus to one to three talents/defenses). I make characters like this all the time to confront the players because I think it adds flavor but it is cumbersome to make.
The drawback is - those basic beasts of Challenge Rating 4, 5 or 6 are entirely overpowered by a group of such characters unless they are a swarm (40+ creatures that are bound to get some glorious wrap ups).
Are threads supposed to stack like that? What are people's thoughts?
-- Can two magic items add to the same Talent?
-- Can you add a Group Thread or Pattern Item Thread bonus to that?
The most horrifying thought would be some cult which intends to bring their "Savior" to ultimate power. They worship and bless her for years and she now has 4 pattern items which her 7th circle lieutenants have bound to Rank 8 to help her. Maybe she is a spellcaster and they have increased her defenses and her spellcasting. +32 Spellcasting and +24 to all defenses?!?! Plus another +5 to all of them as she belongs to the group and is Circle 10. Yikes! If you want to take her on you have to take her followers first. I haven't done anything like that, of course. But you could imagine some Therans creating such cults or worse - some Invae.
~ Loba