Chapter 8: Q&A / Discussions

[Dave W.]

Mar 8, 2011 18:23:22 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Man, I am constantly forgetting whether the benefits conferred by some of Condign's powers affect him or not. The wording is "allies." but some powers specify "you and your allies," don't they?

For example:

Allies within 5 squares of you gain temporary hit points equal to 5 + your Charisma modifier.

In that instance, Condign doesn't gain those temporary hit points, does he?

Ooh-ohh, I can answer that... "allies" never includes you (ie the person invoking the power). You only get the benefit if it says "you and your allies". And yes, warlords get hosed in that way, almost all their powers and benefits are allies only.

(I used to play a dwarven warlord)

[Darren]

Excellent round, everyone, even though Syrdan got wailed on by some vampires. It looks like they're not too tough to take out. If we can keep them clustered up, Kal can use Burning Spray, which is a Close Burst 3 power. If we keep them bunched up, I might be able to hit 6 or more of them.....

Also, we should consider attacking those larger coffins before Daddy wakes up. We might be able to save that for next round, though, and just finish off all of the smaller vampires this round (if we roll well enough).

Jeff, I think this round probably wants to run similarly to the last one. I know that Kal's actions are going to be very dependent upon where everyone ends up by the time his turn comes around.

[Dave W.]

Couple more notes...
* yes, it looks like it's action point time!

* technically an action point grants you one additional standard action... but...

* in a round you get a standard, a move, and a minor action... But you can step an action down to a lower action. That is you may trade a standard for either a move or minor; you can swap a move for a minor.

Often you see people trade their standard to get two moves in. It let's us slow 5sq per round folks do 10sq but it means we won't be attacking.

* I agree that what we've been doing mostly works. I'm intrigued by the split round concept when npcs insist on being difficult by using clever powers....

[Brian]

Condign is immortal now, so the additional hit points are superfluous.

(Sorry, I was getting my Charlie Sheen on.)

No, Big Red does not get the benefit of additional hit points.

[Jeff]

If you want, I could do the round-split right here. Since the mastiff isn't an issue anymore, you'll want to know what the movements of the other baddies are to determine your own actrions, no?

I'd post this:

21 = Streko
16 = Belarin
12 = Shorak
12 = vampires

Pause, wait for Mike, Dave W., Brian, and Darren to post, then post:

11 = Syrdan
10 = Histra
10 = Adamant
9 = Condign
8 = Kal

Although the teleporting mastiff was the real wrench thrown into the works. The vampires are already crowding around you and you can bet they won't be retreating anywhere here.

[Dave W.]

Mar 8, 2011 20:59:04 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Although the teleporting mastiff was the real wrench thrown into the works. The vampires are already crowding around you and you can bet they won't be retreating anywhere here.

They prefer to die where they stand?

[Darren]

I like that split, Jeff. For me, anyway, that will be very helpful. Thanks.

[Dave W.]

Mar 8, 2011 20:59:04 GMT -4 Jeff said:

If you want, I could do the round-split right here. Since the mastiff isn't an issue anymore, you'll want to know what the movements of the other baddies are to determine your own actrions, no?

Cool, so I'm paused until the next DM post.

Just to clarify and help me plan, we all have +1 defenses for the encounter from Condign's Bastion of Defense in round 1. I've got a power that could give a +1 to defenses too, but I don't think they stack. So that would only help Condign.

Additonally, please, dear DM remember that I have my Martyr's Blessing. I'm always willing to take a hit for someone. It has to be someone adjacent. I'm fine with the DM invoking that at any point it makes sense.

Also (I'm kind of long-winded today, aren't I), we haven't really talked about the new goodies we got at 6th level. Mine is Divine Bodyguard. It lets me pick (minor action) an ally w/i 5 sq and for the rest of the encounter I take half the damage they suffer. I'm thinking of invoking this for Syrdan. Thoughts?

[Jeff]

Mar 8, 2011 21:25:59 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

Mar 8, 2011 20:59:04 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Although the teleporting mastiff was the real wrench thrown into the works. The vampires are already crowding around you and you can bet they won't be retreating anywhere here.

They prefer to die where they stand?

Well, maybe you shouldn't quote me on that. ;D

[Darren]

Well, I was going to use Kal's new power, but I misunderstood (again) the way that action points work. But Kal now has Lightning Shift which allows him to shift up to his movement speed as a move action. I am hoping to use it next round to get to a spot where Kal can hit the maximum number of vampires with Burning Spray. Which is why I'm hoping that we can maybe cluster ourselves up so that they have to cluster up around us. Then Kal can Lighting Shift to the outside of where the vampires are and blast them from the other side.

[Dave W.]

I'm rethinking using my zone power. I could deal with 4 of the bad guys at once. It will also help Condgin.

[Dave B.]

I'm hoping to move Shorak out of melee and switch to ranged attacks. I think he would be more helpful that way.

[Mike]

If what I've just tried to do actually pans out, our new Big Bad vampire (who I'm presuming is Krez) may be immobilized until the end of Syrdan's next turn.

Smoke 'em if you've got 'em, kids.

[Darren]

Depending on what Condign does, Kal's plan is to Lighting Shift over to two squares north of Vampire 5 and then use Flame Burst to catch Krez, 8, 9 and 13. Then I was thinking about using an action point to try to hit Krez again.

I'm hoping that Condign can maybe take out Vampire #5 so that Kal isn't surrounded.

[Darren]

Hm. Just read Mike's updated post in the main thread. Jeff, can you tell me whether or not Syrdan's attack worked, so I know what Krez's position is? That will sort of determine where Kal shifts to....

[Jeff]

Sure. Krez is nasty and tough, but powers can still overcome his numbers. He's been yanked precisely where Syrdan wanted him to be.

[Brian]

Darren:

I'm hoping that Condign can maybe take out Vampire #5 so that Kal isn't surrounded.

So let it be written, so let it be done. ;D

[Ken]

Yeah, I think a 30 vs. #5's AC will hit. Nice round, Brian, and...

Hellish Rebuke on the Master!

WHA- WHA- WHA-A-A-A-T?!?! That's a warlock power!

Oh ho, well played, sir. Well played.

[Brian]

Ken:

WHA- WHA- WHA-A-A-A-T?!?! That's a warlock power!

Oh ho, well played, sir. Well played.

Thank you, thank you! *takes a big bow*

[Jeff]

Mar 9, 2011 15:31:14 GMT -4 Ken said:

Yeah, I think a 30 vs. #5's AC will hit. Nice round, Brian, and...

Hellish Rebuke on the Master!

WHA- WHA- WHA-A-A-A-T?!?! That's a warlock power!

Looks like Belarin's been a bad influence on his devilish friend. Bad human!

[Dave W.]

Not to kibitz too much but I will remind everyone that hit or miss, the big bad K will be dazed for 1 round only. You all (and me for my next attack) will get +2 to hit with anything you throw at him.

Also, I think Condign wants to have all the classes that start with "war", next feat will be to multi-class to warden. It was a cool surprise...

[Jeff]

Yup, Condign has become a warlordlock.

[Ken]

Now here's the question for in-game: Would Belarin recognize what the hell (literally) Condign just did as a warlock ability?

[Jeff]

No, not from just this one occurrence, especially not in the heat of combat. If it gets some in-game discussion at some point I'm willing to see what Belarin could figure out about it.

[Ken]

Mar 9, 2011 15:19:56 GMT -4 Darren said:

We've got Krez pretty much where we want him now, between all of you and Kal. Kal can keep sweeping the remaining vampires with fire while everyone else concentrates on big daddy K.

Let me do some addition: 43 plus 9... okay, add 18, carry the 1... Krez took 70 points of damage that round and he's not freakin' bloodied! Oh yeah, we GOT him all right... That said, not a bad idea if Kal (and Histra's Monster Squad) focus on keeping the lesser vamps out of the way.

[Darren]

Yeah, I'll give you that one. But it's still 6 on 1. Hopefully these new Emerald Claw goons won't give us too much trouble.

[Mike]

Jeff, I'll assume Syrdan's Religion check didn't yield anything?

[Mike]

Also, tactics-wise - before Syrdan's turn in combat order this coming round, if someone can push Vampire #4 or #5 out of their squares, or if Streko could shift to a different square, that would be a tremendous help.

If Syrdan can get into melee combat with Krez this round, he's got a nasty surprise for the Big Bad.

[Mike]

And finally ...

Nicely played this round, gentlemen. ;D

[Ken]

Mar 9, 2011 17:13:13 GMT -4 Mike said:

Also, tactics-wise - before Syrdan's turn in combat order this coming round, if someone can push Vampire #4 or #5 out of their squares, or if Streko could shift to a different square, that would be a tremendous help.

Great minds think alike. ;D Belarin is, as we speak, planning to remove one or two obstacles from Syrdan's path.

And yes, indeed, nice use of abilities and tactics so far.