Can DnD 4E characters get combat advantage more than once per encounter with Bluff?

Question

Page 140 of the Dungeon Master's book states

Once per encounter, a creature can try to gain combat advantage against a target by making a Bluff check

Does this mean that I can bluff my way only once per encounter, or only once per encounter against each creature?

Answer 1

Once per encounter only.

The Rules Compendium has, on page 141 (I've omitted a few paragraphs unnecessary for this discussion)

Bluff

Gain Combat Advantage

Action: Standard action. A creature can take this action only once per encounter.

As the Rules Compendium was printed well after the Dungeon Master's Guide, the RC should take precendence. Interestingly, the DDI is still using the older, confusing version of the Bluff skill (Dated from 2008). I assume that is an oversight on their part and I would continue to use the RC version of Bluff. However, it does leave room for an enterprising player to try to convince their DM otherwise unfortunately!

Answer 2

I think the wording is ambiguous, and could be argued either way. I'd be tempted to say that the wording leans toward "once per encounter, total," but I think it makes more sense to say it's once per encounter per target. That is: you're fighting against Meepo and you feint and confuse him, but he won't fall for it again. He ally, though, isn't yet wise to you, and might.

I like to get my players to tell me specifically what they're doing to get that Bluff roll, so I'd probably decide based on that description.

Answer 3

Reading it as written it seems to be only once per encounter, regardless of the number of different targets you attempt it against.