Dungeons & Dragons Fourth Edition from 2008 (includes Essentials)
8
votes
1answer
265 views
What does “Range: 10/20” mean?
Ranged weapons have a range which usually shows two values, for example "10/20". I'm guessing depending on something a PC (or NPC) might have a range of 10 OR 20. Sadly, I don't know what causes this ...
7
votes
1answer
149 views
Guards for a Raven Queen Temple
I have a party of four 3rd level adventurers. They will be breaking into a temple dedicated to the worship of the Raven Queen. There will be a ritual taking place in the sublevels of the temple. I ...
8
votes
1answer
122 views
Rogue's Tumble PHB vs HotFL
Which version of Tumble is correct? The powers are exactly the same Level 2 Utility, Encounter, Req. Acrobatics training. The difference is in the effect.
Player's Handbook (PHB) ~ Effect:You can ...
10
votes
1answer
107 views
Move-attack order and unspent movement - can I mix these however I want?
This is possibly a very simple question, but I couldn't find a definitive answer in the players handbook.
If a character has a speed of 6, can he move 3 squares, perform an action, then move the ...
13
votes
1answer
280 views
Tying someone up in 4E
Is there any mention on how to tie someone up using a rope or chains in 4E? Let's say I have a sleeping player (helpless) and I try to tie him up. How does that work? What about a guy I just grabbed?
7
votes
2answers
155 views
Can a Scout use Dual Weapon Attack after attacking with a two-handed weapon?
I've been working on building a scout using spiked chain training.
The main hand part of the spiked chain is a weapon with the "stout" keyword, meaning it can be used as a two-handed weapon. Can I ...
12
votes
1answer
133 views
Are there guidelines for creating & customising MM3-style monsters?
I've heard that Monster Manual 3 came with an improved design philosophy for monsters (particularly solos), and there are questions about updating pre-MM3 monsters for MM3.
I want to create and ...
8
votes
2answers
132 views
Which rules should be used for a new power? Compendium / Char-builder, or the Dragon article which introduced it?
In the DND 4E Campaign I'm playing in, my Warlock has just reached 7th level. I've been wandering through the char builder options for his new Encounter power, and came across one called "Pain to ...
4
votes
1answer
203 views
Help building a Thief
Can someone explain how many Feats and Powers I should pick? I'm making a Rogue (Thief) from "Heroes of the Fallen Lands".
In page 41 under skills, powers, and feats to refer my specific class ...
4
votes
3answers
396 views
Why do Weapon Mastery feats have the requirements they do?
I've been playing and DMing in Epic tier for some time now, and have introduced quite a few house rules already (mostly common ones - free expertise feats, free improved defences), and I'm wondering ...
7
votes
1answer
157 views
How similar is Star Wars Saga to DnD 4th edition?
Before Dnd 4th ed came out, a lot of articles were printed saying that Star Wars: Saga Edition was like a "preview" of Dnd 4th ed. Now I find myself going the opposite direction: taking a group ...
10
votes
1answer
123 views
Does Teleportation provoke the shaman opportunity action Spirit's Prey?
From compendium:
Spirit's Prey (Opportunity action)
Trigger: An enemy leaves a square adjacent to your spirit companion without shifting
Target: The triggering enemy
Effect: One ally ...
6
votes
5answers
167 views
How does 'Warp in the Weave' interact with moveable area-effects?
The level 6 Arcana utility power 'Warp in the Weave' (Dragon #385, p79) reads as follows:
Trigger: A creature uses a burst or blast power that includes you.
Effect: You spend a healing surge ...
6
votes
2answers
173 views
Can a Holy Healer's Staff also be Accurate?
I am currently playing a Cleric (Templar). I multiclassed to Sentinel Initiate [Druid] which gives me proficiency with staff implements, and I took Superior Implement Training (accurate staff). ...
10
votes
1answer
269 views
Understanding stealth and ambushing
I was looking at this map and realized I have a problem understanding stealth.
The guys indicated with letters are ambushing. Does that mean that they're using active stealth against passive ...
16
votes
4answers
727 views
Why shouldn't I use fully statted PC characters as NPC antagonists in D&D 4E?
According to the DMG (187), NPCs in 4e seem to be run as a weird sort of template halfway between a monster and a PC - you don't generate an actual character with a full array of powers and feats. Is ...
6
votes
1answer
94 views
Does the Jump power used on someone else cause them to provoke attacks of opportunity?
With the 2nd level wizard utility power, Jump, if I use it on someone else and they perform the jump, and the jump takes them past or through threatened squares (or they are currently in melee), do ...
8
votes
5answers
328 views
Player characters as mounts
I am asking about an edge case based on the three paragraphs under "Encounters with PC Mounts" on DMG 46. So far as I can tell these paragraphs are not reproduced anywhere else, and these paragraphs ...
5
votes
2answers
143 views
Is there a distinction between skill and knowledge checks?
On page 26 of the DMG it describes knowledge checks as giving the players particular information, such as a history check to identify a region. But wouldn't a skill check be the same? Or does the ...
4
votes
5answers
606 views
How do I use passive insight checks?
On page 26 of the DMG, it describes a passive insight check and gives an example of using it in a social encounter. Could you help me with it and how to use it? Step by step would be appreciated
9
votes
4answers
196 views
Changing systems: Player and GM considerations in adapting a campaign from PF to 4e
I am resurrecting a campaign which had been on hold for several months, and considering updating from Pathfinder to 4e (which I have never run before), and juggling the mental calculus that goes into ...
4
votes
3answers
155 views
Retrying a failed skill challenge
On page 74 of the
DMG (Step 5: Consequences), it says that if you fail a skill challenge, it can become more difficult, such as detouring you in a different direction. Could you attempt the same ...
2
votes
1answer
107 views
Can group skill checks only be tried once?
In the DMG, it describes group skill checks as electing a lead character and the other characters aiding him. Would it work like this in a conversation (skill challenge)?.
Lay out the primary and ...
5
votes
1answer
167 views
Can you redo a failed skill check?
If I were to fail a dexterity roll to unlock a chest, could I redo it next time? I know that if you fail a skill challenge it is permanent, but are skill checks the same, or can you redo them? If you ...
-1
votes
2answers
465 views
Combat encounters, non-combat encounters, and non-encounters in D&D 4e [closed]
The DMG mentions combat and non-combat encounters. By their names, these imply that they cover all forms of encounter: either it is or isn't a combat encounter. Is this true? Is everything in the game ...
3
votes
1answer
151 views
What is the difference between Skill Challenges and Skill Checks?
I was reading the DMG (p 72 to be specific), and I noticed that "haggling with a merchant" is just a simple Diplomacy check and not a complete skill challenge. How does a "skill check" differ from a ...
7
votes
1answer
162 views
Are two creatures sharing one square adjacent to each other?
If a Tiny creature (like a Pixie) shares a square with a Medium creature (say human), are they considered adjacent to each other?
Adjacent Squares: Two squares are adjacent if a side or a corner ...
3
votes
1answer
158 views
Does a Tiny creature have size modifiers to its carrying capacity?
DMG 222 is pretty clear that you use one carrying/lifting/dragging calculation for all PCs. Am I missing an exception for Tiny creatures, or are Pixies just that incredibly strong?
7
votes
1answer
178 views
At the end of my rope: trying to inspire someone with no healing surges left to greatness?
At the end of the 7th encounter for the day, our group has basically no surges left and no option but to keep going. We have a Battle Captain Warlord:
Battle Inspiration (16th level): When you ...
4
votes
1answer
80 views
Can the MBA provided by Repel Charge be made at reach?
A player in my group is building a PC with a reach weapon
With a reach weapon, a creature can make melee attacks against enemies
that are 2 squares away from it as well as adjacent enemies. Even ...
15
votes
4answers
501 views
What should a DM do if a player wants to do something impossible?
If a player wants to do something a little out of the ordinary such as punching down a wall with his bare fists, what should I do? Do I make a DC for it? Do I make it so that no matter how much he ...
7
votes
4answers
201 views
Is altering the adventure to suit the players the purpose of the DM in D&D?
I was reading page 18 of the DMG under One Hour Preparation. The 4th bullet point described a way of adding bits in an adventure to make a player feel more involved:
Consider how each of these ...
5
votes
4answers
285 views
How do I deal with absent players?
If a player is absent and nobody chooses to play this absent character and instead I let it vanish for a while with a suitable reason or excuse, does this missing player gain levels and XP with the ...
5
votes
1answer
218 views
Is the Penny Arcade adventure preceding Storm Tower published?
In 2008, Christopher Perkins ran an adventure with four players, named "Penny Arcade and the Tower of Storms". The adventure was recorded as season 2 of the Penny Arcade podcasts, and in the following ...
4
votes
1answer
115 views
Does the Executioner Assassin apply dexterity to its melee basic attacks?
I am trying to figure out if the Executioner assassin (Heroes of Shadow) applies its dexterity to its melee basic attacks. The Attack Finesse Class feature says: You can use Dexterity instead of ...
0
votes
0answers
120 views
New to the game: Where can I get D&D 4E tips and advice? [closed]
I'm starting to play D&D 4E and I was hoping for some advice on where to find help in creating a first character.
10
votes
4answers
270 views
Recommend a published encounter for 4e to demo its strengths to newbies!
I'm looking for recommendations for a published (but not necessarily WotC), fun, single encounter to introduce some friends to D&D 4E. We'll be using a virtual tabletop (Roll20 specifically) for ...
5
votes
1answer
124 views
What should I look out for, when scaling a late heroic published adventure for late paragon/early epic tier?
I will be including a level 9 published adventure in my campaign soon. The thing is, the four players will be somewhere between level 18 and 24 when they hit the dungeon.
Aside from obviously scaling ...
3
votes
1answer
168 views
When do 4e Monster powers (with the recharge ability) recharge?
How often do I roll power recharge rolls and at which point in a turn do I re-roll them?
I'm trying to find the official definition of the recharge mechanic in the online compendium and I'm not ...
9
votes
3answers
644 views
How to rule a permanently blind PC in D&D 4e?
One of my players wants to build a totally blind character, and so far as I can tell the system has no rules for it, despite coming close. Blinded is a condition that more accurately reflects having ...
8
votes
1answer
256 views
Can you start your turn when you're dead?
In my epic game, I am playing a level 30 Keeper of the everflow.
Keepers have a level 24 feature:
Life Overflow (24th level): Once per day when you start your turn at 0 hit points or fewer, you ...
1
vote
2answers
224 views
Mechanical difference between the Eberron Setting and D&D Home campaign?
In character builder Eberron and D&D Home campaign are two separate options, but does choosing Eberron actually make any changes or restrictions (similar to those with the dark sun setting) in ...
5
votes
1answer
91 views
Do I need both DMG1 and 2 to create adventures?
I'm working on my first custom campaign for my players (I have previously run modules out of books and Dragon magazine), and I am wondering if I should read both DMG1 and 2 or if it's possible to just ...
4
votes
1answer
90 views
Blurred Step + multi-shifting
If a baddie next to me shifts x, and I can shift x with blurred step, what is the interaction like? Does he declare his shift one square at a time, so that I can just follow the first shift (and then ...
4
votes
3answers
164 views
Creature death and save conditions
When a creature dies, does it continue to suffer from conditions? The reason I ask is because of the Item Daily Power on the Orb of Fickle Fate:
A target within 10 squares of you takes a -2 ...
15
votes
2answers
593 views
Creating solo monsters
One thing I haven't found in 4th edition online is a plethora of solo monsters. The idea of these fights are fascinating! Sadly though, all the products in 4th focus on multiple opponent fights (with ...
6
votes
2answers
117 views
Does zone damage count as a hit with a power?
In this case I am talking about a specific scenario involving the following feat and power combo.
I have a level 9 Invoker who has Mark of Storm:
Mark of Storm [Dragonmark]
Benefit: Whenever ...
3
votes
1answer
133 views
Is it possible to multi-class to Shaman and acquire the healing spirit power?
Is there anyway for a character to take Shaman as a multi-class feat, and acquire the Healing Spirit power?
7
votes
1answer
541 views
Question about D&D 4E bonus stacking
I have a question related to D&D 4E bonus stacking, specifically related to overlapping type stacking. I understand that in general similar types do not stack, however I'm wondering if there are ...
0
votes
1answer
380 views
Weapon proficiency training and penalties in 4th ed
I know that proficiency can be acquired trough picking class or selecting a feat. But I cant seem to find a feat that would give training in superior melee. Do I need to pick a feat for only one type ...
