Dungeons & Dragons Fourth Edition from 2008 (includes Essentials)
10
votes
9answers
584 views
How to make combat deadlier?
I was thinking of reducing all hit points by 1/2 (pc, npc and monster) to make combat deadlier and less Hp crunching. Is this a good approach or is there a better way to do this or would it be better ...
10
votes
4answers
283 views
What are some good damage stats to use for a torch?
Sometimes players find themselves without a weapon or with a desperate need to do fire-damage, perhaps against an ooze. In this case, it makes sense to grab a torch if they have no better alternative. ...
10
votes
2answers
725 views
Flanking and swarms in 4e
Can swarms be flanked by two PCs? What if the swarm is occupying the same square as a PC?
Does a PC grant combat advantage to a swarm if a regular mob is adjacent in a flank? Does it matter if the ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
Is D&D Insider worth subscribing to?
As a new DM I am wondering if it would be worth it to me to subscribe to D&D Insider?
What are some of the pros?
What are some of the cons?
Specs: MacBook Pro 13"
Thanks!
10
votes
2answers
698 views
Does a falling creature provoke Opportunity Attacks on the way down?
I'm in a D&D4e game right now, and in the current combat there are some flying creatures which may soon be knocked prone by PC #1. As part of being knocked prone, a flying creature falls to the ...
10
votes
5answers
625 views
How to run a chess inspired D&D4E encounter?
Is there a way that you could run a chess inspired encounter for D&D 4E? I'm thinking like the characters themselves are involved in a human chess game albeit still allowing them to keep some of ...
10
votes
2answers
294 views
How do I grant free weapon expertise in WotC's new Character Builder?
In one of the games I run, I grant the players free Expertise as a heroic level power-bump. The players really like the format of the new Character Builder sheets.
While I would like to use the new ...
10
votes
2answers
554 views
Does a polearm's reach stack with the Warden's Thorn Strike's Melee 2?
The Warden's Thorn Strike has a range of Melee 2, it's keywords are Primal and Weapon. A polearm has Reach letting you attack 2 squares away.
Does a polearm's range stack with Warden's Thorn Strike ...
10
votes
1answer
261 views
Can the Pixie's Teleport Trick make you invincible?
Pixie Teleport Trick (Heroes of the Feywild page 33)
Daily: Teleportation
Minor Action, Personal
Effect: Until the end of the encounter, whenever an enemy attacks you, you can use an ...
10
votes
2answers
500 views
How do you calculate damage for MM1 and MM2 monsters?
I realize this may be a subjective question, but I'd really like to know what the consensus is.
I know that WotC changed the way they calculate monster damage from MM3 and onwards, but there's isn't ...
10
votes
2answers
321 views
Best way to convert creatures from 3.x to 4E?
I've reccently discovered a load of monsters I created for 3.x D&D and would love to convert them to 4E.
Do any guides exist for this? Or could someone give me the most important points to ...
10
votes
3answers
318 views
Immobilized creature doesn't want to pay; can he charge instead?
Here is the situation that has come up often in our group:
A creature is immobilized(save ends) at the start of its turn. As no enemies are adjacent, its options are limited.
The creature readies a ...
10
votes
4answers
868 views
Is large-scale battle feasible with D&D 4e's minion rules?
Supposing you simulate a large battle in D&D 4e, and you want to do it with minions (rather than, say, treating each unit as a swarm or using some special large-scale combat rules). The XP chart ...
10
votes
4answers
545 views
How can I make D&D 4e work as a “play by post” game?
I'm trying to start a play by post game with my friends. I was thinking about using D&D 4th Edition (it's the game we play the most). We really know the system and it would make for little work ...
10
votes
2answers
302 views
How do marks interact with dual attacks?
The specific example from last night involved a Demon ManipulatorDDI using his Deceptive Attack to attack both my paladin and an ally. Would this violate the mark and trigger Divine ChallengeDDI?
My ...
10
votes
1answer
298 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 ...
10
votes
1answer
135 views
Is it possible to roll Stealth versus multiple targets when one or more can see you?
Is it possible to roll Stealth versus multiple targets when one or more can see you?
So for example, if the character moves into the corridor, where the majority of the monsters can no longer see ...
10
votes
1answer
231 views
Can I use Cleave even if there's only one enemy?
The target for Cleave [ddi] says "One creature", but the effect states that another enemy adjacent to you that isn't the target takes damage.
Does this mean I can use Cleave even if there aren't ...
10
votes
1answer
136 views
What's the result when a Readied Action is triggered by another Readied Action?
Suppose two PCs both ready actions, and the triggering conditions are such that one PC's readied action is triggered by the second PC's readied action.
What's the resulting initiative order if the ...
10
votes
1answer
190 views
How much damage does mind spike do against an AoE type attack?
My players are fighting a dragon who naturally has a breath attack, which is a close blast.
The defender in this case is a battlemind, having the dragon marked with his Battlemind's demand.
The ...
10
votes
3answers
414 views
Players rolling all of the dice in D&D 4th Ed
I was looking at the variant rules listed in the Unearthed Arcana, and noticed one that I think could work pretty well in 4th Ed.
Players Roll All The Dice
Basically it turns the monster's attack ...
10
votes
2answers
385 views
When does marking occur
This is from memory, so if someone wants to edit the question, feel free.
When a fighter attacks a creature, that creature is marked. When does the marking happen in the sequence of events? If the ...
10
votes
1answer
247 views
Does readying an encounter or daily power expend it automatically?
Question: If I ready a daily or encounter power to trigger on a certain condition. Such as the fighter power Sweeping Blow with a condition such as to trigger when 3 or more enemies are adjacent to ...
10
votes
3answers
3k views
What are typical defense statistics for a Defender at different tiers?
What are some typical defenses (AC, Fort, Will, Reflex) for a defender at the different tiers (Heroic, Paragon, Epic) of a D&D4 game?
10
votes
2answers
1k views
Forced movement into danger: is there a saving throw?
Is there a saving throw to stop forced movement (a push, pull, or slide) from forcing you into a square that will damage you?
My wizard's tactic lately has been to try to Thunderwave enemies into the ...
10
votes
1answer
711 views
Spitting Cobra Stance
The Ranger has an encounter power called Spitting Cobra Stance that seems grossly over-powered - in one group I play in, the Ranger will enter Spitting Cobra Stance at the beginning of combat, and the ...
10
votes
2answers
133 views
Does a creature have to make a saving throw after being knocked prone?
We know that you -can- willingly go prone as a minor action, but we're unsure as to the mechanics of recovering from it. Does it matter if you are knocked prone or willingly make yourself prone? And ...
10
votes
1answer
108 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 ...
10
votes
1answer
288 views
Can you jump during a charge?
Can a character jump during a charge?
For the diagrams below:
G Good Guy, speed 6
E Evil Guy
= Land, 5' wide
. Pit, 5' wide
Situation 1: small gap before charge. This clearly works as ...
10
votes
1answer
177 views
Impact of removing Dragonborn from Khorvaire
I plan on running an Eberron campaign and may end up doing it in 4th ed, but am interested in preserving the story of 3.5 Eberron. IMO Dragonborn should not be common in Khorvaire and would be at best ...
10
votes
2answers
2k views
How does a DM define a Skill Check value?
When a DM says make a skill check, how do they decide what value they need to beat?
10
votes
1answer
278 views
Tomb of Horrors in D&D 4.0?
Are there any resources on the web or in print about running or converting the classic adventure 'Tomb of Horrors' in D&D 4.0?
10
votes
1answer
253 views
Can half-shifted Were-Druids use all their powers?
Normally, Druids can only use powers without the Beast Form keyword when in humanoid form, and only use powers with the Beast Form keyword when they use Wild Shape to transform into a beast. However, ...
10
votes
5answers
314 views
How to go from a humorous campaign to a more serious one?
I am currently running a D&D 4E game. The game started off kind of goofy (we have a thrikreen rogue with glowing blonde hair, an ale-obsessed dwarf battlemind, a ditzy human wizard, and a dwarf ...
10
votes
1answer
260 views
Does movement whilst hidden provoke opportunity attacks?
Playing a rogue in my first two D&D Sessions ever thanks to online tabletop (a god send, really!)
However, I've come to learn that it's not an easy task (however, my healer has kept me from death ...
10
votes
1answer
132 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 ...
10
votes
1answer
2k views
Are there any starting D&D 4e adventures being published?
I'm trying to prepare for a low-prep-time starting game for D&D 4e. The obvious solution would be to buy a prepackaged adventure for 4e for 1st level characters. However, from what I can see, ...
10
votes
2answers
1k views
Does the half-level modifier contribute to damage?
Taking a random spell, I find Flames of Phlegethos. Its hit is 3d10 + Constitution modifier fire damage. Let's say the caster has a constitution score of 16, and he is level 2. This means his ...
10
votes
1answer
353 views
How do I build an 4e essentials character?
I'm having trouble interpreting the 4th Edition Essentials books. How do I determine how many powers a level 1 paladin/cavalier gets? The book never comes out and says it. With skills and feats, it's ...
10
votes
1answer
342 views
What is the name of the large island in the D&D world of Nerath?
What is the name of the large island in the D&D world of Nerath? I guess it could be a continent also.
10
votes
2answers
180 views
Can a knowledge check be used to identify the powers of a unique named enemy?
In Encounter 29: Arena of Kord in Madness at Gardmore Abbey the players face an enemy leader called:
Leralix, Minotaur Magus (L) Level 9 Controller (Leader)
Because Leralix is a unique named ...
10
votes
3answers
385 views
Is extra damage from free actions maximized with a critial hit?
Question 1: Say a player has a sword that enables him to add 1d8 damage as a free action whenever he hits an enemy. Can he choose to activate it upon a critical strike for an automatic 8 damage, or ...
10
votes
3answers
532 views
Close burst from a large creature — one square origin or all of them
If a large or larger creature uses a close burst, does the burst have to emanate from a single square of the large creature's space, or does it act as if the creature is the source (all squares)?
The ...
10
votes
1answer
364 views
How do I build a new, balanced, disease in D&D4e?
Constructing diseases and the underlying mechanics for diseases seem to be under-described in D&D4e.
How do I set a level for a new disease I want to create?
How do I choose difficulties for the ...
10
votes
2answers
349 views
How do I scale an encounter to a larger party?
I have a group that wound up being larger than I expected for my DnD Campaign. It is Dark Sun and I am keeping things gritty and dangerous. However, since I normally have 7 players, I find that ...
10
votes
2answers
616 views
Druid (Sentinel) Animal Companion Armor
I am new to D&D and I am looking to start. I would like to start a Druid(Sentinel) from Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms whose animal companion is a bear.
My Druid would dislike his animal ...
10
votes
5answers
2k views
What restrictions exist for the Warlock Shadow Walk power?
D&D 4's Warlock power Shadow Walk states the following (text copied from the D&D Compendium):
On your turn, if you move at least 3 squares away from where you started your turn, you gain ...
10
votes
1answer
160 views
Do overlapping damaging zones stack?
We know penalties from zones do not stack, but the rules appear to be silent about overlapping damaging effects.
If I'm in two zones that each do 15 fire damage, how much damage do I take?
10
votes
2answers
529 views
Can a free action be taken in the middle of another action?
For example, if a character has the Quick Draw feat and a weapon with a daily which takes a free action to activate, can the weapon be drawn as part of the attack and the power be activated all "as ...
10
votes
1answer
268 views
Using Mage Hand to hold up a cloak and grant concealment
First off, Let me just say that I am a complete newbie. I have yet to play any DnD, but I am working on a character while me and some friends are getting things together to start our first game.
Now ...
