Chapter 8: Q&A / Discussions

[Dave B.]

Still hoping to see Vamp 4 drop before I go. Although, I could shift West 1 square to focus on that Vamp and then turn my attention towards the newer arrivals. We shall see.

[Jeff]

Actually, Dave, that wouldn't work. The crates represent difficult terrain, and you can't shift into difficult terrain unless you can shift more than 1 square. So if you've got a power that lets you shift 2 squares, you can actually shift 1 square through difficult terrain.

I need to clarify this on the map.

[Ken]

Jeff: Since Dave W won't be back online until tonight, I'd guess that -- based on yesterday's comments -- Condign will get the AC boost.

As Mike and I have discovered, the best approach in 4E is to focus attacks. An opponent with 5 hp left is just as dangerous as one in full health -- maybe even more dangerous if powers kick in once he's bloodied. Right now, we're all over the place.

We need to finish off the vampires who are already badly injured. Now that #5 is down, here's what I think we have (based on some quick and possibly inaccurate math):

Krez: Down 61 points, and not bloodied. He was bloodied when he hit -70, then he sucked some Vitamin K(alarian) and felt better, but Streko, Belarin, and Shorak have knocked him back almost to bloodied again.
Vampire #4: Down 22 points. If it's like #5, it's only down a third.
Vampires #8 through #11: Barely been touched (-8 points).
Vampire #12: A little worse (-13 points).
Vampire #15: About the same as #4 (-24 points).

For now, I suggest ignoring Vampires #8-#11 and the Claw guys. Belarin, Syrdan, and Streko can focus on Krez, as can Kal, once he's feeling better. (Maybe take Second Wind this round, Darren? Or even shift so that Kal isn't being flanked.) Condign and Adamant work on Vampire #15. Dave B, I'm afraid this leaves Shorak alone against Vampire #4 for the moment, but if you stay adjacent to Condign, you might the occasional benefit from his warlord features.

Just suggestions, of course.

[Mike]

Mar 11, 2011 12:39:39 GMT -4 Ken said:

As Mike and I have discovered, the best approach in 4E is to focus attacks. An opponent with 5 hp left is just as dangerous as one in full health -- maybe even more dangerous if powers kick in once he's bloodied. Right now, we're all over the place.

Totally agree. If we all pair off against different opponents, that means more opponents get to stay on the battlefield longer to damage us all longer.

Our best strategy is to concentrate fire on a single opponent where possible, drop it, and move on.

I'm totally fine with what Ken's suggested.

And Joe, if you've got any potent Daily or Encounter Powers left, now's the time to unleash it on Krez.

[Brian]

I agree. A more focused attack seems best. Burn them down and they are down for good . . . or are they?

Ken, I like your suggestions. Two thumbs up.

[Darren]

I was considering using Second Wind this round, then using an action point to actually get an attack in. I was considering Kal's Thunder Leap power, which would allow him to damage everyone in a close burst 1, then move up to 10 squares and damage everyone in a close burst 1 at his landing point. I wanted to try to get him away from Krez a bit.

But I agree with what you're saying and think we should concentrate on taking Krez down before focusing on anyone else. He's clearly quite dangerous. So I think instead of Thunder Leap, I might just shift Kal a square away from the other vampire, then use one of Kal's other Daily powers on the major.

[Dave W.]

ummm, guys... re: who gets the +3 from my attack power...

Mar 11, 2011 0:13:22 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

As the attack completes, a golden spectral shield imposes itself between Streko and Krez.

AND...

Mar 11, 2011 0:13:22 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

Effect: Until the end of my next Streko gains a +3 power bonus to AC

Was the post complete? I noticed that Joe posted the other day and it looked kind of cut-off. But this one looked okay on my side.

[Dave B.]

That sounds fine to me Ken. I just missed that vampire yet again. But, I will keep trying to take him down. Hopefully I'll get a better roll next time. If I get into too much trouble with the Claws, I have a couple of powers I can still use to help Shorak out.

Jeff, If I successfully use a power that allows me to normally shift a foe 3 squares, how many squares would I actually be able to shift V4, due to the crates?

Sorry, one more question. In a blast effect, do you roll once for everyone or do you roll individually for each person you're trying to hit? The power I'm thinking of using would catch the zombie vamp as well and possibly the crew person in the doorway, if he's in my line of sight. Do I want to risk taking out a pseudo ally and a possible innocent? Certainly not the innocent(?) crew person. Well, maybe they'll go get the captain like Belarin told them to.

A rogue painted into a corner, not very advantageous.

[Dave W.]

btw, I wanted to give Streko the +3 because he's next to Krez; just hoping it gives him a boost in getting himself out of there.

[Jeff]

Sorry, Dave W. Streko gets that bonus, then. I must have simply missed it.

Jeff, If I successfully use a power that allows me to normally shift a foe 3 squares, how many squares would I actually be able to shift V4, due to the crates?

Just 1 square of difficult terrain. If he could shift the enemy 4 squares, then it could be 2 difficult terrain squares.

In a blast effect, do you roll once for everyone or do you roll individually for each person you're trying to hit?

Each enemy gets a separate roll. But damage is only rolled once.

And hey, no apologizing for asking questions! Especially if you're new to this edition!

btw, I wanted to give Streko the +3 because he's next to Krez;[/quite]
Well, near, but not adjacent. Especially not after this next round gets started...

[Dave W.]

Joe, just want to point out that Healing Word is a minor action. You still have a move and a standard.

[Dave B.]

Is Krez taking any ongoing acid damage or did that big meanie make his save?

[Jeff]

Knew I forgot a thing or two. I'll make the roll tomorrow morning, Dave, and see if the acid's still going. Thanks for reminding me!

[Mike]

Mar 12, 2011 0:21:49 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

Joe, just want to point out that Healing Word is a minor action. You still have a move and a standard.

Joe, with all due respect, this is the second combat encounter recently where Streko's chosen not to use standard actions to attack our opponents ... and this is an encounter where we need everyone helping out trying to defeat our foes.

As Dave W. points out, you could attack a foe as well as use Healing Word on Kal.

I'm really lost here. What am I missing?

[Darren]

Darren, I'm assuming you're using sorcerous channeling with Lightning Orb (wherein you use Skyfang to deliver an otherwise ranged attack as a melee attack). Otherwise, making a ranged attack would provoke an opportunity attack.

Yes. I didn't realize I needed to specify. You took it into account in the first round when Kal hadn't had the opportunity to draw Skyfang, yet.

[Jeff]

Yeah, in general, I'd ask everyone to be specific about using implements.

Streko and Adamant wear their symbols, so I can always just assume they're being used. Syrdan has a holy symbol, but most of his powers are weapon-based. But Belarin and Kal also need to specify when they're using their implements for channeling powers.

With Kal the implement can means the difference between an opportunity attack vs. none. So yeah, I can't always assume. So please be proactive about it.

[Joe]

Mike, you're right. Healing Word is a minor action and Streko can use a standard action as well. I missed that last night and I'm sorry.

[Dave B.]

If Ken or Joe does something that takes out V4, I'll modify my post.

Not to keep beating a dead horse but I think I'm starting to hate this dice roller. I've had bad days with real dice, but at least I'd get a 10 or 11 on every second or third roll. All these single digit rolls? I'm beginning to find somewhat irksome.

[Ken]

Jeff, yes, please let me know if Krez made his save, since that also determines whether Belarin can shift him 1 square.

And is there room for Belarin to get past Vampire #10? It seems like there might. I know that moving past it would provoke an opportunity attack, unless the vampire was, oh, dazed or something...

And Mike, that was great. It was a Rambo "F--k 'em!" moment. Gave me goosebumps - manly ones, of course.

[Jeff]

Okay, I've updated this post from yesterday. Krez did not end the ongoing acid damage from Shorak's attack yet, so he took 5 damage this round.

Ken, I'm mindblanking. What does this damage have to do with whether Belarin can shift him?

As for getting around vampire #10. Moving through and over Krez's coffer is difficult terrain. So yeah, if you've got the speed, you can do it and accept that opp attack.

[Ken]

The curse of the dark dream attack failed, but even on a miss, I can still shift the target 1 square as a Sustain Minor action (save ends). So that's still in effect. ;D

[Jeff]

Ah, so I need to make a separate save for that?

[Ken]

Yes, indeedy. (Oh, pleeeease fail...)

[Jeff]

I'm posting this via Blackberry, so it's hard to make the update in the in-game post.

But Krez got a 9 (failure) on his save. So Belarin can slide him this next round with a minor action. Remember he can't slide him into difficult terrain with only 1 square of sliding.

[Brian]

David B.

Okay, this is just getting ridiculous. Every roll has been single digits(1,1,2,2,7) except for the one critical. What's up with this roller? Are you sure this is the best dice roller to use? A little balance would be nice. Two 1's & two 2's is not a fair exchange for one 20. Okay, I think I'm done venting.

Dave, I've done a little research. Invisible Castle is a shadow corporation for LaSala Enterprises. If you sign in under the DE campaign, your top roll is 15 for every 9-out-of-10 rolls. If you sign in under the DM campaign, then your minimum roll is 15 for every 9-out-of-10 rolls. That's why we use Invisible Castle!

[Dave B.]

Dave, I've done a little research. Invisible Castle is a shadow corporation for LaSala Enterprises. If you sign in under the DE campaign, your top roll is 15 for every 9-out-of-10 rolls. If you sign in under the DM campaign, then your minimum roll is 15 for every 9-out-of-10 rolls. That's why we use Invisible Castle!

I'm kinda getting that.

It looks like I can bluff my way to a combat advantage next round. I may try that.

Jeff - I just realized that I may have had that combat advantage vs. Krez when threw that acid at him, due to the Rogue class feature First Strike. Would that mean I should have done another 2d8 of damage or 16 since it was a nat. 20?

[Jeff]

Unfortunately, no. First Strike lets you do extra damage if you act before someone else has in the very beginning of the battle. In other words, it rewards a rogue when a rogue is high in the initiative and gets to, essentially, strike the first blow against an enemy.

Krez didn't even join in the combat until the second or third round, in any case.

But it's definitely something keep in mind for future fights. That's a good ability. It's motivation to be proactive.

[Jeff]

Okay, this is just getting ridiculous. Every roll has been single digits(1,1,2,2,7) except for the one critical. What's up with this roller? Are you sure this is the best dice roller to use? A little balance would be nice. Two 1's & two 2's is not a fair exchange for one 20. Okay, I think I'm done venting.

I submit as Exhibit A the last round that Invisible Castle doesn't favor the DM suspiciously. Krez rolled poorly on all accounts!

If you can find another reliable databased roller, by all means let me know!

Let me know if I get that opportunity attack. The only time I've hit anything was when I burned my action point to get a second attack. So, maybe that's the only way I'm going to hit anything.

Shorak got it. (Good one, Brian; warlord powers sometimes pay off after the fact.) But it's easier for me to do the roll for you (as I did), since it's in the middle of the enemy's turn during the round.

[Mike]

Just to clarify, Krez can shift a square and attack while dazed?

[Ken]

Probably a "vampire lord" thing -- which, if so, is damn annoying! Sorry if the shifting of Krez inadvertently blocked Syrdan from attacking, Mike -- hadn't expected that.