E0M3: Basic Training

As the GenCon 2013 Tournament of Champions, and other various events, loom black and approaching upon the deadly horizon, we look to sharpen our blades. To that effect, this article aims to provide some basic tips and tricks for newcomers to use when building their dungeoneers. After all, none of us want an easy victory. If we did, we wouldn't be playing Fourthcore. Thus, I encourage the FTDM veterans out there to lend in their suggestions as well. New players reading this and improving their skills will only serve to make a better deathmatch.

Non-AC Defenses

A major difference in strategy with Fourthcore Team Death, as opposed to standard 4E D&D, is mathematics behind combat. In standard 4E D&D, enemies (ie. monsters) have a certain limited range of defenses. In FTDM, however, that assumption is thrown out of the window completely.

The 1st Level characters that FTDM requires, by and large, have at least one easy-to-hit weak point in their defenses. Very few enemies you will be seeing at these events has their lowest non-AC defense much higher than 12, and sometimes far lower.

So, when building your deathmatch dungeoneer, a common strategy is to have a variety of attacks that target different defenses, and to always go after the low defenses on the table. Defenses must all be displayed publicly during a match, so it is just a matter of vigilance and cunning to exploit your enemies' weaknesses.

A Trick Up Your Sleeve

When choosing at-will and encounter attack powers, keep an eye out for attacks that confer useful situational bonuses that can be exploited for different contingencies. A great example of this would be an attack power that can be used as a basic attack when your dungeoneer doesn't otherwise have strong basic attacks. Your encounter powers get recharged very often via the Respawn mechanic, typically about every other round, so don't always assume that it is a better choice than using an at-will attack.

Read the Maps, Use the Terrain

Just as simple as that, the most important thing you can do to prepare for a FTDM match is to read the map and understand how it functions. Using map powers to your advantage can rack up many kills without ever having to dip into your own attacks. Each map has its own unique features, be sure to understand them well.

Long-Lasting Dailies

Many Daily attack powers have effects that last until the end of an encounter. These effects carry on through death and are treated as boons that last an entire match, so be sure to keep an eye out for daily attacks that have better end of encounter effects, even if the damage output isn't as high as others.

Skills

Skills are used rarely in FTDM, but like anything else, they can be optimized and should not be ignored. Athletics and Acrobatics are the most used skills in FTDM, to jump over hazards and reduce falling damage respectively, so they should never be ignored. You should also take a good look at the maps' terrain powers and see if any special skill checks are called for, such as in the skill-check heavy map E1M9: RUN! or E5M1: 2FORT, which has special benefits associated with skill training.

Lastly, don't forget to choose a Background. Though some special boons, such as Themes, are disallowed in FTDM; non-Forgotten Realms Backgrounds are still FTDM-legal. Unless the maps you are playing on dictate otherwise, look for Backgrounds to enhance either your Athletics or Acrobatics checks.