That's an excellent point because it doesn't seem to fit the flavor of the Paladin, though rules-wise it is perfectly effective for him to challenge and engage a different target every round.
Notices |
While a target is marked, it takes a –2 penalty to attack rolls for any attack that doesn’t include you as a target. Also, it takes radiant damage equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier the first time it makes an attack that doesn’t include you as a target before the start of your next turn. The damage increases to 6 + your Charisma modifier at 11th level, and to 9 + your Charisma modifier at 21st level. |
Hmmm, I'm playing a paladin in my local game, and through six levels the DM and I have yet to disagree how to use Divine Challenge. Here's what I do: On my turn, as a minor action, I mark a foe within 5 squares (let's call it "Fred"). As long as I either attack Fred (and I have thrown a dagger at many Freds to keep the Divine Challenge intact - get a magic dagger, because magical thrown weapons automatically return!) or end up standing next to Fred at the end of my turn, my Divine Challenge is waiting and ready to affect Fred's actions until my turn begins next round. If Fred makes an attack that doesn't include me, then Fred takes a -2 penalty and 8 points of damage (I'm a Cha-based Paladin). We both agree that a creature that attacks two enemies as part of the same attack (like some larger monsters can attack two adjacent enemies, or a close blast/burst attack) means that my Paladin is included in the attack and doesn't trigger the DC conditions. Opportunity Attacks count as attacks for this, so when the Wizard tries to slink away and Fred takes a swing, the penalty and damage kick in. Once Fred takes the effects of the Divine Challenge, then he doesn't get a second dose of penalty/damage if he makes another attack that doesn't include me. At that point, he can swing all he wants at anyone he wants. When my turn comes up again, I mark a foe as a minor action. If I mark Fred again, then we repeat the above. Or I may elect to mark a different enemy within 5 squares, in which case Fred is free from the wrath of my deity. If I mark someone and then don't "engage" them by either attacking or ending my turn adjacent to them, then my Divine Challenge fizzles and I am unable to apply it anew next round. Alternatively, instead of marking someone, if I don't think I will meet either condition of the mark, then I can elect to not Challenge anyone this round and then I can use it next round. I think of it like the Paladin has to call the deity's attention to smite Fred when I Challenge him; if I ask for Melora's help, and then I don't make the effort to meet my end of the deal (attack or stand next to him), then Melora gets mad at me and punishes me for a round. Cheesy fluff to justify an awkward mechanic, I know... Luckily, we're a small party and being the only defender, and no one else has any marking abilities (well, there's a Warlock who curses, but that's not the same). That makes my situation simpler to examine. |
Once Fred takes the effects of the Divine Challenge, then he doesn't get a second dose of penalty/damage if he makes another attack that doesn't include me. At that point, he can swing all he wants at anyone he wants. |
MARKED ✦ You take a –2 penalty to attack rolls for any attack that doesn’t target the creature that marked you. |