Comments on: Powergaming: Understanding Area of Effect in D&D4E http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/10/powergaming-understanding-area-of-effect-in-dnd4e/ The Dice of Doom is a blog about gaming, being a gamer and general interest content suitable for nerds. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:44:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: MPA http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/10/powergaming-understanding-area-of-effect-in-dnd4e/comment-page-1/#comment-19302 MPA Sat, 09 Apr 2011 17:56:00 +0000 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1571#comment-19302 I was hoping this could shed light on how many creatures could be affected. Yea I know the answer is "all monsters in the AoE", but how many can fit in an AoE? 10? 2o? 50? I was hoping this could shed light on how many creatures could be affected. Yea I know the answer is “all monsters in the AoE”, but how many can fit in an AoE? 10? 2o? 50?

]]> By: dave http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/10/powergaming-understanding-area-of-effect-in-dnd4e/comment-page-1/#comment-6467 dave Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:43:07 +0000 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1571#comment-6467 While I like the "nova" idea, the use of the word "close" is also a code for "doesn't provoke". Once you grasp the nomenclature, it's not hard. Close = Originates in your square. Almost Never effects the caster. Doesn't Provoke. * Area = Originates outside your square. Can often affect the caster (if you're in the area). Provokes. Burst = Z Radius Blast = ZxZ squares. In any case - good article. While I like the “nova” idea, the use of the word “close” is also a code for “doesn’t provoke”.

Once you grasp the nomenclature, it’s not hard.

Close = Originates in your square. Almost Never effects the caster. Doesn’t Provoke. *
Area = Originates outside your square. Can often affect the caster (if you’re in the area). Provokes.
Burst = Z Radius
Blast = ZxZ squares.

In any case – good article.

]]> By: dave http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/10/powergaming-understanding-area-of-effect-in-dnd4e/comment-page-1/#comment-18562 dave Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:43:00 +0000 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1571#comment-18562 While I like the "nova" idea, the use of the word "close" is also a code for "doesn't provoke". Once you grasp the nomenclature, it's not hard. Close = Originates in your square. Almost Never effects the caster. Doesn't Provoke. * Area = Originates outside your square. Can often affect the caster (if you're in the area). Provokes. Burst = Z Radius Blast = ZxZ squares. In any case - good article. While I like the “nova” idea, the use of the word “close” is also a code for “doesn’t provoke”.

Once you grasp the nomenclature, it’s not hard.

Close = Originates in your square. Almost Never effects the caster. Doesn’t Provoke. *
Area = Originates outside your square. Can often affect the caster (if you’re in the area). Provokes.
Burst = Z Radius
Blast = ZxZ squares.

In any case – good article.

]]> By: Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/10/powergaming-understanding-area-of-effect-in-dnd4e/comment-page-1/#comment-6293 Ellisthion Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:03:08 +0000 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1571#comment-6293 That's a really neat idea, actually. Nova is a really good name for it, too. That’s a really neat idea, actually. Nova is a really good name for it, too.

]]> By: Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/10/powergaming-understanding-area-of-effect-in-dnd4e/comment-page-1/#comment-18561 Ellisthion Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:03:00 +0000 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1571#comment-18561 That's a really neat idea, actually. Nova is a really good name for it, too. That’s a really neat idea, actually. Nova is a really good name for it, too.

]]> By: mike http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/10/powergaming-understanding-area-of-effect-in-dnd4e/comment-page-1/#comment-6288 mike Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:49:49 +0000 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1571#comment-6288 Since we started playing 4E, we found the fact that there were two bursts, area burst and close burst, and yet only one blast, close blast, too confusing. So instead we rename the areas: close burst: nova close blast: blast area burst: burst That way we use a different name for each area, and that way there's also not the confusion of "so I don't get hurt by my own burst spell?" "Well, it depends what type of burst spell." Since we started playing 4E, we found the fact that there were two bursts, area burst and close burst, and yet only one blast, close blast, too confusing. So instead we rename the areas:
close burst: nova
close blast: blast
area burst: burst

That way we use a different name for each area, and that way there’s also not the confusion of “so I don’t get hurt by my own burst spell?” “Well, it depends what type of burst spell.”

]]> By: mike http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/10/powergaming-understanding-area-of-effect-in-dnd4e/comment-page-1/#comment-18560 mike Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:49:00 +0000 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1571#comment-18560 Since we started playing 4E, we found the fact that there were two bursts, area burst and close burst, and yet only one blast, close blast, too confusing. So instead we rename the areas: close burst: nova close blast: blast area burst: burst That way we use a different name for each area, and that way there's also not the confusion of "so I don't get hurt by my own burst spell?" "Well, it depends what type of burst spell." Since we started playing 4E, we found the fact that there were two bursts, area burst and close burst, and yet only one blast, close blast, too confusing. So instead we rename the areas:
close burst: nova
close blast: blast
area burst: burst

That way we use a different name for each area, and that way there’s also not the confusion of “so I don’t get hurt by my own burst spell?” “Well, it depends what type of burst spell.”

]]> By: RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/10/powergaming-understanding-area-of-effect-in-dnd4e/comment-page-1/#comment-6271 RupertG Sun, 25 Oct 2009 03:21:27 +0000 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1571#comment-6271 That's a fair call. I would assume that they are 3D anyway as it wouldn't really make sense otherwise... That’s a fair call. I would assume that they are 3D anyway as it wouldn’t really make sense otherwise…

]]> By: RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/10/powergaming-understanding-area-of-effect-in-dnd4e/comment-page-1/#comment-18559 RupertG Sun, 25 Oct 2009 03:21:00 +0000 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1571#comment-18559 That's a fair call. I would assume that they are 3D anyway as it wouldn't really make sense otherwise... That’s a fair call. I would assume that they are 3D anyway as it wouldn’t really make sense otherwise…

]]> By: Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/10/powergaming-understanding-area-of-effect-in-dnd4e/comment-page-1/#comment-6270 Ellisthion Sun, 25 Oct 2009 03:20:16 +0000 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1571#comment-6270 Right. I found a reference on the Q&A on the WotC forums. "How do area effects function in a 3-D environment? Since vertical distances are measured the same as horizontal distances, they take on a cube shape." http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19686342/Rules_Q38A_FAQ__ask_a_simple_question Whilst this isn't technically a WotC CustServ answer, the CustServ is not actually official and has answered things wrong in the past, so this is as close as we'll get, I think. Right. I found a reference on the Q&A on the WotC forums.

“How do area effects function in a 3-D environment?
Since vertical distances are measured the same as horizontal distances, they take on a cube shape.”

http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19686342/Rules_Q38A_FAQ__ask_a_simple_question

Whilst this isn’t technically a WotC CustServ answer, the CustServ is not actually official and has answered things wrong in the past, so this is as close as we’ll get, I think.

]]> By: Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/10/powergaming-understanding-area-of-effect-in-dnd4e/comment-page-1/#comment-18558 Ellisthion Sun, 25 Oct 2009 03:20:00 +0000 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1571#comment-18558 Right. I found a reference on the Q&A on the WotC forums. "How do area effects function in a 3-D environment? Since vertical distances are measured the same as horizontal distances, they take on a cube shape." http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19686342/Rules_Q38A_FAQ__ask_a_simple_question Whilst this isn't technically a WotC CustServ answer, the CustServ is not actually official and has answered things wrong in the past, so this is as close as we'll get, I think. Right. I found a reference on the Q&A on the WotC forums.

“How do area effects function in a 3-D environment?
Since vertical distances are measured the same as horizontal distances, they take on a cube shape.”

http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19686342/Rules_Q38A_FAQ__ask_a_simple_question

Whilst this isn’t technically a WotC CustServ answer, the CustServ is not actually official and has answered things wrong in the past, so this is as close as we’ll get, I think.

]]> By: RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/10/powergaming-understanding-area-of-effect-in-dnd4e/comment-page-1/#comment-6224 RupertG Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:19:12 +0000 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1571#comment-6224 Might be worth putting a question into WotC about it...? Might be worth putting a question into WotC about it…?

]]> By: RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/10/powergaming-understanding-area-of-effect-in-dnd4e/comment-page-1/#comment-18557 RupertG Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:19:00 +0000 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1571#comment-18557 Might be worth putting a question into WotC about it...? Might be worth putting a question into WotC about it…?

]]> By: Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/10/powergaming-understanding-area-of-effect-in-dnd4e/comment-page-1/#comment-6223 Ellisthion Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:16:15 +0000 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1571#comment-6223 Humm... the Blast rules are a bit hairy, but the Burst rules clearly say the Blast "extends in all directions", which would include up. The Blast... um... at the absolute minimum, I don't think there's anything to prevent you having a vertical sheet with no width. I'll keep looking. Humm… the Blast rules are a bit hairy, but the Burst rules clearly say the Blast “extends in all directions”, which would include up. The Blast… um… at the absolute minimum, I don’t think there’s anything to prevent you having a vertical sheet with no width. I’ll keep looking.

]]> By: Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/10/powergaming-understanding-area-of-effect-in-dnd4e/comment-page-1/#comment-18556 Ellisthion Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:16:00 +0000 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1571#comment-18556 Humm... the Blast rules are a bit hairy, but the Burst rules clearly say the Blast "extends in all directions", which would include up. The Blast... um... at the absolute minimum, I don't think there's anything to prevent you having a vertical sheet with no width. I'll keep looking. Humm… the Blast rules are a bit hairy, but the Burst rules clearly say the Blast “extends in all directions”, which would include up. The Blast… um… at the absolute minimum, I don’t think there’s anything to prevent you having a vertical sheet with no width. I’ll keep looking.

]]> By: RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/10/powergaming-understanding-area-of-effect-in-dnd4e/comment-page-1/#comment-6222 RupertG Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:14:03 +0000 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1571#comment-6222 LOL - the last time I played a wizard was AD&D 2nd edition where it was a 180 degree arc. I remember now that in 3.x it was a cone - but I always preferred the arc - seemed more appropriate... :) LOL – the last time I played a wizard was AD&D 2nd edition where it was a 180 degree arc. I remember now that in 3.x it was a cone – but I always preferred the arc – seemed more appropriate… :)

]]> By: RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/10/powergaming-understanding-area-of-effect-in-dnd4e/comment-page-1/#comment-18555 RupertG Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:14:00 +0000 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1571#comment-18555 LOL - the last time I played a wizard was AD&D 2nd edition where it was a 180 degree arc. I remember now that in 3.x it was a cone - but I always preferred the arc - seemed more appropriate... :) LOL – the last time I played a wizard was AD&D 2nd edition where it was a 180 degree arc. I remember now that in 3.x it was a cone – but I always preferred the arc – seemed more appropriate… :)

]]> By: Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/10/powergaming-understanding-area-of-effect-in-dnd4e/comment-page-1/#comment-6221 Ellisthion Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:11:40 +0000 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1571#comment-6221 Re: Burning hands: In 3.5 it's a cone, apparently. Re: Burning hands: In 3.5 it’s a cone, apparently.

]]> By: Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/10/powergaming-understanding-area-of-effect-in-dnd4e/comment-page-1/#comment-18554 Ellisthion Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:11:00 +0000 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1571#comment-18554 Re: Burning hands: In 3.5 it's a cone, apparently. Re: Burning hands: In 3.5 it’s a cone, apparently.

]]> By: Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/10/powergaming-understanding-area-of-effect-in-dnd4e/comment-page-1/#comment-6220 Ellisthion Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:09:32 +0000 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1571#comment-6220 Right... the new version of the cover diagram is a bit different: the whole area is a lot safer. Based on the way I've treated the little walls, there is no Superior Cover. As to the vertical burst, the DMG 3D section is a bit small... it does basically say you treat the vertical dimension as squares like anything else, so I don't see why you wouldn't be able to do it. I'm sure I found more solid evidence on this once, though, so I will keep looking. Right… the new version of the cover diagram is a bit different: the whole area is a lot safer. Based on the way I’ve treated the little walls, there is no Superior Cover.

As to the vertical burst, the DMG 3D section is a bit small… it does basically say you treat the vertical dimension as squares like anything else, so I don’t see why you wouldn’t be able to do it. I’m sure I found more solid evidence on this once, though, so I will keep looking.

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