Staff of the Wild

By Lightningclaw, in Descent: Journeys in the Dark

I’ve been squinting at this surge ability and I can’t figure it out.

S: Curse, Disease, Poison, or Stun

Is it giving a choice between one of those conditions?

Or is it giving a choice between two results- inflicting a trio of conditions (Curse+Disease+Poison) or a single condition (Stun)?

I can’t figure out what that comma after Poison is trying to do.

If it were one of four, Poison or Disease would be incredibly situational- Stun would almost always be the better choice. But the grammar is unclear to me.

Edited by Lightningclaw

You have to choose among any of the 4 condition

On 5/6/2019 at 3:27 PM, Lightningclaw said:

I can’t figure out what that comma after Poison is trying to do.

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/oxford-comma

"Oxford comma a comma between the final items in a list, often preceding the word `and' or `or', such as the final comma in the list newspapers, magazines, and books "

On 5/6/2019 at 1:27 PM, Lightningclaw said:

I’ve been squinting at this surge ability and I can’t figure it out.

S: Curse, Disease, Poison, or Stun

Is it giving a choice between one of those conditions?

Or is it giving a choice between two results- inflicting a trio of conditions (Curse+Disease+Poison) or a single condition (Stun)?

I can’t figure out what that comma after Poison is trying to do.

If it were one of four, Poison or Disease would be incredibly situational- Stun would almost always be the better choice. But the grammar is unclear to me.

Stun isn't really that good on monsters since they only get one attack per activation anyway. Stun only takes away a single AP not a full activate, so if they are within range of you, they can still activate and attack.

Oxford comma to the rescue!

yeah, with the comma there the "or" indicates "between all the groups in this list" Whereas "Curse, Disease, Poison or Stun" would indicate a choice only between the last two.

Edited by thinkbomb
13 hours ago, The MechE said:

Stun isn't really that good on monsters since they only get one attack per activation anyway. Stun only takes away a single AP not a full activate, so if they are within range of you, they can still activate and attack.

Conditions are usually situational- stun just happens to generally be good on melee monsters. While I really like some of the conditions (Burning and Bleeding might be my favorites) Stun is usually one of the better ones to inflict.

Not as good as immobilize, but weapons dealing that condition are very rare. (There might only be two in the entire game if I remember right).

In fact, this weapon’s Stun felt like I was cheesing the app when I was using it, since unlike other weapons (Bow Of The Sky, Light Hammer) it can both do good damage and Stun. It essentially nullified the most dangerous melee monsters on the map.

Against an OL it would still be pretty strong. It’s possible it could cause the OL to play a Dash or Frenzy on a monster he may not have been planning to use it on, which is a good thing for the heroes.

Thanks for the input everyone. Clearly I should go read up on some grammar. 🙂