(condensed)
a later update:...
Additionally, arcane defense will improve all of target's rolls by 2, and spell focus (regular, greater, and epic) will improve the caster's rolls by 2, 4, or 6 respectively. These apply to all rolls for all Bigby spells.
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Bigby's Interposing Hand:
If target fails a discipline check (target's discipline ranks + arcane defense + d20 vs. caster's concentration ranks + focus feats + d20) ...
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Bigby's Crushing Hand:
Once per round the hand makes an attack on the target (Spell DC + 10 STR modifier + d20 vs target's AC). The damage is 2d8 + 1 per caster level. A successful fortitude saving throw halves the damage. Additionally, if a discipline check (as Interposing) is failed the target is stunned for that round (bypassing any stun immunities). Duration is 1 round per 2 caster levels.
this accounts for the weird numbers i see in the combat log. i'm not sure, but when they say "focus feats" I think that means spell focus conj ONLY for the attacker, and "arcane defense: conjuration (+2)", "skill focus discipline (+2)" and "epic skill focus discipline (+4)" for the defender ONLY.Bigbies changes:
- Bigbies Grasping and Crushing Hand now use your base rank skills for the checks rather than your adjusted skills. Ie, it will use how many skill points you've actually put into those skills (max 43 at level 40) rather than your skills plus gear, stats bonus, etc. Bigbies Grasping Hand also has the effect of Slow now if you fail the STR check rather than paralyze.
- Additionally, since the range is smaller, I wanted to put something in so a target could conteract the focuses that a caster can receive in Conjuration spell focus. So, you can have Arcane Defense: Conjuration for a increased save of +2, Skill Focus in Tumble/Discipline (for Grasping/Crushing Hand) for +2, and Epic Skill Focus for +4 bonus. I realize that those are uncommon feats, but until we can think of a better way for a target to match the spell focus feats of the caster, we'll leave those in.
as i read it skill focus concentration and epic skill focus concentration don't do anything for the attacker (contrary to some perceptions i've heard). but that hinges on what is meant by "focus feats." a dev could probably shed light on this issue.
so if you get hit by a bigby (it makes its attack roll) you basically have a 50% chance for stun if neither you nor the attacker have any focus feats as defined above, and you're both maxed on conc vs disc on the opposed roll. if the attacker has epic conj, he gets a +6 to that roll and you are going to be stunned 70% of the time. if the defender counters with epic skill focus discipline, he will be stunned only 60% of the time. if the defender invests in regular skill focus as well, the chance is back to 50%, and if the defender further invests in arcane defense conj the stun chance is down to 40%. (assuming i didnt hose up the probability calculation... not enough coffee yet.)
what numbers are used for the initial attack roll is less clear: it seems to attack your flatfooted ac from my limited experiments. i did not see my tumble or dodge ac listed in the combat log. however i may not have been properly in combat during the tests. 60ac thru improved expertise did not seem to help in several hot zone pvp combats.
pvp experience with my str based/epic skill disc toon track the 60% stun figure. basically bigby pwns low ac builds (ac < mid 60s). 60% stun means you will be reliably stunned 2 rounds in a row, which is usually more than enough time for the attacker to do whatever it is he's gonna do.
