TOPIC: 2006 Token Guides Are Posted!

Oh!  I never even knew that rule existed.  In the Charity run, I was trying to get the DM to target me because I was worried about the Barbs health.  Could I have just jumped in front?

<br />Actually, with the change in missle combat this year (no more throwing tokens - did anyone EVER do this?) and high dex they would make pretty good archers as well.<br /><br />One thing I have a concern with however, is that with the "new" rules on monster targetting (they can hit whoever they want in the room), that the weaker melee classes such as wizards are going to have a major problem if they get targeted.  One good hit could take them out.  Before, there was always the option to have someone stay in the back ranks as it were, and not be targeted.<br /><br />I would love to see some sort of "taunt" power or something that would let the Warrior or the Paly take the blow for someone else.  There are similar feats that you can do this with in D&D, but I don't know of any in the core rules, if that is a problem...  Otherwise, I am afraid that some DMs might get a little overzealous.  It's bad enough wizards can't use armor, but always being in melee range... that is something that never happens in real D&D, as they can move out of the way somehow.<br />

<br /><br />Agreed.  The Wizard (and even the Bow wielding Ranger) drop a few notches with the new rule relative to the other classes.  

It may never have been written down - but I think it was practiced last INDY or SoCal.

From what I heard last year most DM's had who ever had done the most damaging hit to a monster is who the monster would attack.<br /><br />And I know in FF, there was a Guard/Sentinel action you could use to have someone protect a weaker character so that they would take the damage.<br />Also has there ever been any discussion or perhaps a counterattack feat? Say for perhaps your fighter/heavy hitter class.<br /><br />In FF, counterattack was particularly nasty on some of the beasties. Such as the Master Tonberry, cause he almost always had deathstrike moves. So you would have to spend a turn on one of the characters using a pheonix down to revive them.<br />I could also see counter attack as a feat for someone with a high dexterity level. They seize the moment to slash at the moster quickly as its reassuming its fighting stance.

<br />Is the rule that a player can block/shield another still an option??? <br />

<br /><br />I think practically speaking, it is an option.  The thing I looked for as a DM was how the groups handled it.  If I was specifically told, the Wizard is hanging back behind the fighter and barbarian, then I would still consider him a target, but a random role (or most damage attack) would mean that I would have to attack the Fighter/Barbarian first.  However, if no one declared they were providing coverage for a fellow player, then I made the assumption they were fair game and the monster in a fit of rage could push their way through to attack the player.<br /><br />So, yes if I was told a player was being covered by another (or others) The melee attack would probably not be directed toward them.<br /><br />Dave<br />

<br />And last year didn't they also add some scrolls that a Ranger can use? So don't they already have enough abilities?<br />

<br /><br />The Ranger can use some scrolls but only the "generic" kind that almost anyone can use.  There is nothing unique that the Ranger brings to the Table in terms of abilities (but admittedly, I don't have the cards in front of me so I could be forgetting something).

Keep in mind we have yet to have really intelligent monsters or monsters with a particular grudge against a class or race.  While we use simplistic means to determine attack.  A really intelligent monster, or one that was offended by the presence of a shining lawful good Paladin may have motivation to attack only one player.  It would then be up to the other players to shield their comrad (or not) if they wanted to keep them alive.<br /><br />Dave

"...we have yet"  HINT HINT...<br /><br />

to what Gary said:<br /><br />

And what about the Fighter using the +1 HRCBow...

<br /><br />that's a point, but I was avoiding using purples in my analysis, if you do use purples, then h-to-h is ALWAYS going to be preferable, because 2 items help hand to hand (girdle & better magic weapon), were as only 1 helps missile (gloves)...<br /><br />As for worrying about wizards, they still got attacked on occaision last year, and this year they have much greater defensive capabilities with blink & mirror image scrolls, so to a fairly well equipped party the wizard isn't going to see a drop off in usefullness... I mean they have what a +1 dex to armor, so with mage armor, bracers, and amulet you're looking at AC17, and the ability to throw down scrolls that make you a 50/50 to be hit... next to bards they'll be the toughest thing to hit in the game.

um.....<br /><br />I'll take AC26 and a cloak of displacement over that anyday...<br /><br />And the BARD can build to AC26...so in my book the WIZ is worst off - then the Barbarian...<br /><br />G

  But once again you're assuming purples are being used... what are there 20 cloaks of displacement? If we're talking 500 some runs through the dungeon, I don't think making a conclusion on a class based on an item that will be used less 5% of the time is valid...<br /><br />  If you want to talk purples, what's there to stop the wizard from using the cloak, a blink scroll, and mirror image? That would mean that on the first attack that would hit his ac17, there would only still be 13% chance of him being hit, and (assuming the cloak got used on the previous "hit") the next hit would still have onlt a 25% chance of hitting... <br /><br />  Break it down: (each +1 AC = 5% better)<br /> <br />  mage AC 17 is the "baseline" and each have cloaks of displacement:<br />  <br />  Fighter AC = AC 26 = 45% better  <br />  Mage AC  = blink & mirror image = 75%<br /><br />  thus the mage has a 30% greater chance of being missed on the first and second hit (cloak gets used up, then the mirror image), and at that point with just blink, still has a 5% advantage... yes he has fewer HP, but he's always had that, and the point is the new scrolls REALLY make mages (and Bards even moreso) hard to hit. 

I've said this again and again and again, but AC has diminishing returns. Once the monster can only hit you on a 20, it makes no fraking difference how high your AC goes. People still turn themselves into AC 26 lobsters but there's no point whatsoever. We've never had a DM chime in for sure, but I recall some of the big monsters hitting at +4 and that was it. At that, anything over AC 24 is worthless.