Dungeons & Dragons Fourth Edition from 2008 (includes Essentials)
13
votes
2answers
337 views
Does the altitude start from square 0 or square 1?
Some forms of fly have an altitude limit (like those granted by Form of the Vengeful StormDDI, Sky HookDDI, DuskwalkDDI and Wings of Elevated ThoughtsDDI).
Altitude limitDDI merely says that:
If ...
13
votes
1answer
237 views
Can you voluntarily suppress damage resistance?
I have Resist 10 Fire.
I get hit for 13 points of fire damage, so normally, under these circumstances, I'd take 3 points of fire damage.
What if, because of another ability that triggers on becoming ...
13
votes
2answers
302 views
Does a Summoned Creature have a “start of turn?”
Many effects apply at the start of a creature's turn; however, summoned creatures don't take turns and only perform actions when their summoner expends an action.
Thus, is a summoned creature ...
13
votes
1answer
912 views
Are there any guides for hacking DND4E files?
The offline Character Builder had some houseruling support, but it was somewhat limited and the new online Character Builder has even less. Even if you have a fully legal character, some powers, ...
13
votes
2answers
579 views
What is the upgrade path for characters generated with the Red Box Starter kit?
After creating a character using the Red Box and convincing my gaming group, all newbies to RPG's, to roll characters using the Red Box, I discovered that the Red Box doesn't seem to have an upgrade ...
12
votes
7answers
942 views
“Ray of Frost” Spell + Water = Lock Broken?
I played only D&D 3.0 and 3.5 editions, but if similar, low-level spells exist in D&D 4.0 and Pathfidnder, please comment, I will probably make a transition to one of them anyway.
Is it ...
12
votes
4answers
577 views
Why don't weapons grant some sort of defense?
I'm not sure how it works in other version of D&D, but in 4e you get absolutely no bonus to defense with your weapon, and that doesn't quite make sense. When you're in combat with someone, you ...
12
votes
8answers
362 views
How do I use the same type of creature as characters level up without using more of them?
Is there a good formula/strategy for making monsters harder as characters level up without just throwing more of them? My kids, for example, love Kobolds but I just don't want combats of 30 of them.
12
votes
4answers
3k views
Are spear fighters sensible in DnD 4e?
I'm new to DnD and I'm creating a gladiator (fighter or barbarian) for an upcoming Dark Sun Game, and I liked the idea of using nets and spears.
The Players Handbook implies that net and spear users ...
12
votes
9answers
626 views
Clarification on 4e Raise Dead's 'part of the corpse'
In 4th ed, the Raise Dead ritual specifies that "you must have a part of the corpse of a creature." Is a part removed from a living body considered a part of the corpse once the original body has ...
12
votes
6answers
3k views
How do vulnerabilities combine, when taking multiple types of damage?
When a creature has multiple vulnerabilities, and is hit by an attack that deals more than one type of damage that it is vulnerable to, do the vulnerability effects combine?
Example 1: Creature is ...
12
votes
3answers
2k views
Can I move and shift as a single move action in D&D 4E?
Let's suppose my character is in the middle of combat, and that he can move right in front of an opponent without using all his movement points (let's say he has 5 speed and he moves 4 squares). Can ...
12
votes
2answers
354 views
Do racial origins stack?
If I take a feat that gives me a certain origin but I already have a specific racial origin, do they stack or is my racial origin replaced?
Consider this example. Calistar the Eladrin is a fey ...
12
votes
1answer
1k views
Is Pathfinder selling better than D&D?
Is there any data showing that Pathfinder is selling better than 4th Edition D&D? Also, is there any data showing if and when that might happen?
12
votes
3answers
267 views
Character development suggestions for a low Dexterity character?
I read in some book (forget which) that players should use a low ability score as an opportunity for character development; for example, a low Con character could have insecurities and be very ...
12
votes
3answers
442 views
Whither the Warlord?
I got the 4e core books when they first came out. On browsing through them, I thought that a Dragonborn Warlord would be a fun combo to play. But D&D is not a game my group wants to play, so the ...
12
votes
5answers
617 views
What do temporary hitpoints represent, and how to roleplay them?
I know what temporary HP do: they provide a buffer, while leaving the original state of the character intact (if you receive temp HP while bloodied, you don't stop being bloodied, for example).
What ...
12
votes
2answers
407 views
When a Stinking Cloud is moved onto a creature, does the creature take damage immediately?
In a recent session of D&D 4e, a Stinking Cloud was moved onto a creature who was outside of it.
Stinking Cloud Effect:
...Creatures that enter the zone or
start their turns there take ...
12
votes
4answers
6k views
How can Rogues maintain combat advantage?
I get that if you are hidden from an opponent, you gain combat advantage against them.
I get that if you make a point of it, and you're not getting surprised by the opposition, you should be able to ...
12
votes
3answers
705 views
What is the significance of a Basic Attack vs. any other sort of attack?
On the one hand, this is a pretty newb question: I’m not familiar with 4e and do not actually know what a Basic Attack is. That sort of question, however, I could answer by simply opening the ...
12
votes
3answers
4k views
Is there a formula to calculate level given experience?
I have a spreadsheet that tracks the XP for our group and I've gotten tired of manually looking up how much xp is needed for the next level.
I'd much prefer if there was a formula I could put on the ...
12
votes
4answers
449 views
Should a DM tell the players how valuable non-magical treasure is?
In D&D 4th edition most official adventures have encounters that come with lists of treasure items and their values.
Example (not a great one but you get the idea):
Polished Ruby with gold ...
12
votes
3answers
330 views
Non-combat objective: Delay larger enemy force
I'm re-writing the "Battle of Albridge" encounters from The DM-kit's Reavers of Harkenwold. As supplied they are mostly just a rehash of earlier fight-to-the-death skirmishes on re-used maps. Instead ...
12
votes
6answers
420 views
How can I use 4E's strengths in a low-combat game?
I've been doing a lot of planning of a new campaign, and I'm very happy with the setting. I've made a large and satisfying list of themes, plot hooks, and potential stories. The problem -- if it ...
12
votes
1answer
297 views
What does “move on an initiative of X” mean?
The Young White Dragon (Monster Vault page 67) has the following trait:
Instinctive Rampage
On an initiative
of 10 + the dragon's initiative check,
the dragon can move up to its speed as
...
12
votes
2answers
838 views
Can a human's bonus at-will power be psionically augmented?
The other day, I used the old character builder to print out cards for a new human battlemind. For each of the augment-able at will powers, there is a separate card created for each augment point ...
12
votes
4answers
535 views
Can a cleric sustain “Consecrated ground” while unconscious?
A cleric casts Consecrated ground (sustain minor). Enemy drops him to 0 HP. Cleric falls unconscious.
What happens next?
Consecrated ground disappears.
OR
Consecrated ground stays put. On
...
12
votes
1answer
208 views
Does Resist All stack with Resist [specific]?
Case: A Warden has Resist 5 All Damage from some Warden feature/power.
He also has Resist 10 Necrotic from his armor.
He is hit by 30 Necrotic damage from a single attack.
Does he take 15 damage, ...
12
votes
2answers
262 views
Does going prone stack with having cover?
Suppose I'm playing a ranged character. I am standing with an ally between me and my enemies, which grants "+2 defenses" for cover. I decide to further go prone. Do I now have a "+4 defenses", 2 ...
12
votes
2answers
573 views
With Arcane Reach, can you Thunderwave yourself?
Arcane Reach allows you to target a close burst or blast starting 2 squares away from you.
Thunderwave pushes each target in a close blast 3.
The wizard chose his origin square and wanted the ...
12
votes
3answers
264 views
When does a creature “Deal Damage”?
When does a creature deal damage? A number of powers mention "deals damage" and a number mention "takes damage" and a comprehensive understanding when, exactly, "dealing damage" happens would be ...
12
votes
1answer
285 views
Do minions get critical damage
Do minions get critical damage, assuming they met the criteria, i.e. the roll is a 20, and the result would hit the players defence ?
12
votes
3answers
635 views
A class with at-will powers only
Supposed I wanted to design a class that uses nothing but at-will powers. For those who are familiar with the numbers behind D&D 4e is this possible and still be competitive with the other classes ...
12
votes
1answer
664 views
Does an aura extend vertically?
For D&D 4e, auras read as such:
An aura is a continuous effect that emanates from a creature. Unless otherwise noted, an aura uses the following rules.
Fills an Area: The aura fills the ...
12
votes
2answers
324 views
How do you know if two monsters can move at the same time in DnD4e?
Can monsters in Dungeons and Dragons 4.0 share turns?
In the first encounter of the Dungeons and Dragons 4e Redbox it states that you should make one initiative roll for the two goblins and one for ...
12
votes
4answers
736 views
How to kill yourself in 4e?
Warning: spoiler about P2: King of the Trollhaunt Warrens. The following explains why I want rules on killing yourself, but isn't critical to the question (with the edit), so don't read it if you will ...
12
votes
1answer
808 views
Can a Dungeons and Dragons 4e character take D&D Essentials class powers?
Either by retraining or gaining a level, can a old-school D&D 4e character take the daily, encounter, utility, or at-will powers listed in the Essentials materials?
For example, the Essentials' ...
12
votes
2answers
705 views
What are the advantages and disadvantages of allowing a player to play a large creature?
We're playing 4e Thunderspire Labyrinth and we've decided to let the tank play a large (2x2) Minotaur.
He has all of the stats from the Minotaur player character in the Players Handbook 3, but he's a ...
12
votes
4answers
496 views
Can forced movement be used to dismount a rider?
Are a rider and mount considered different targets so I could push or pull one but not the other with a power?
If I can push the rider off of the mount, would the "Catching yourself"(PHB p284) clause ...
12
votes
2answers
377 views
Can a character purposefully “fall” to avoid incurring an Opportunity Attack?
I understand from an existing question that a fall does not trigger an Opportunity Attack, but what happens if the player purposefully initiates the "fall", e.g. the character flies to a position ...
12
votes
1answer
235 views
At-Will power side effects outside of combat
I have a Warden character, and the Strength of Stone At-Will power. It seems like it would be nice to grant myself those temporary hit points at a few other times, like if I plan to 'deactivate' a ...
12
votes
1answer
410 views
What are some options to break out of the Executioner's Garrote Strangle?
Last night we were having a Battle Royale. Everyone had characters and we were fighting to the death. It was a good time. But we did end up having about a 20 minute argument on the Garrote Strangle. ...
12
votes
2answers
740 views
Is a Dwarf Wizard (Mage) Viable?
I'm starting with a new group, and I would like to make a Dwarf Wizard. However, I don't want to be a drag on the group and I want to pull my own weight - is this possible? I want to go the ...
12
votes
1answer
156 views
Forced movement - PUSH
When I use a power that allow me to push a target X squares, can I choose the direction the target will be pushed to?
For example: can I push a target in front of me to the diagonal or it must be ...
12
votes
1answer
216 views
What square does a medium sized rider occupy when mounted on a Large creature?
What square is used to reference the location of a medium-sized rider on a large-sized mount, and furthermore, how are melee attacks (range 1)resolved from adjacent foes?
This is an offshoot of a ...
12
votes
3answers
426 views
How can I depict three dimensional combats?
The dragon hovers 2 squares over the paladin, the ranger is perched 5 squares up in a tree, and the fighter is magically flying 3 squares off the ground. Aerial minions soar all about.
In tactically ...
12
votes
2answers
645 views
Does blindsight or tremorsense count for line of sight?
If I have tremorsense or blindsight, do I have line of sight if I'm otherwise blind?
In particular, would this allow me to teleport out of a Stinking Cloud?
12
votes
1answer
290 views
Can a blind creature teleport another?
Our wizard has the feat Twist the Arcane Fabric, which lets you teleport an ally out of an area of effect spell.
In a recent battle the wizard was blinded, and so the DM ruled that the wizard could ...
12
votes
2answers
3k views
Where can I find “Backgrounds” for D&D 4e?
My DM wants me to pick a couple of backgrounds for my character for a 4e game. Where can I find them?
12
votes
3answers
435 views
Are there any low-magic 4e home-brew settings?
This question is in a sense related to "What RPGs treat magic as being common?"
Aside from the WotC published setting of Dark Sun where magic is treated as something to be shunned, are there any ...
