I Have Concerns/Questions over the durations of the marks granted by these powers. The Problem point for me is the interpretation problems of the former two caused by the Shielding Rider line on Radiant Shield. Ill copy/paste the relevant powers (Compendium doesnt list the Hybrid version of Aegis Of Shielding so that one is not entirely accurate, namely the refresh and usage restriction) I am listing the powers in order in terms of how it became progressivly more unclear for me in terms of the marks duration.

Swordmage Feature Aegis of Shielding

You create an arcane link between you and an enemy, allowing you to blunt its attacks against your allies.

At-Will        Arcane Minor Action      Close burst 2

Target: One creature in the burst

Effect: You mark the target. The target remains marked until you use this power against another target. If you mark other creatures using other powers, the target is still marked. A creature can be subject to only one mark at a time. A new mark supersedes a mark that was already in place.     If your marked target makes an attack that doesn’t include you as a target, it takes a –2 penalty to attack rolls. If that attack hits and the marked target is within 10 squares of you, you can use an immediate interrupt to reduce the damage dealt by that attack to any one creature by an amount equal to 5 + your Constitution modifier. At 11th level, reduce the damage dealt by 10 + your Constitution modifier. At 21st level, reduce the damage dealt by 15 + your Constitution modifier.

Swordmage Utility 16Aegis of Lost Souls

As one of your foes falls, you send out a pulse of magic that incites other enemies to attack you.

Encounter        Arcane Free Action      Area burst 2 centered on the triggering enemy

Trigger: An enemy within 10 squares of you drops to 0 hit points

Target: Each enemy in the burst

Effect: The target is marked by your Swordmage Aegis power. Marking the target does not remove the mark on another target already affected by your Swordmage Aegis. Using this power does not provoke opportunity attacks.

Published in Arcane Power, page(s) 59.


Duration:   The target remains marked until you use this power ("Aegis Of X") against another target ?

Swordmage Attack 17Thundering Vortex

A whirlwind of arcane energy lashes out to draw your foes closer to your blade.

Encounter        Arcane, Implement, Thunder Standard Action      Close burst 3

Target: Each enemy in the burst

Attack: Intelligence vs. Fortitude

Hit: 2d8 + Intelligence modifier thunder damage, and you pull the target 2 squares. The target is marked until the end of your next turn.

  Aegis of Shielding: The target is marked by your aegis of shielding. Marking the target does not remove the mark on another target already affected by your aegis of shielding.

Published in Arcane Power, page(s) 60.

Duration: It does NOT say the aegis of Shielding POWER.  Due to that I am infering that the duration is set at the length stated in the Hit line rather than "The target remains marked until you use this power against another target". I am slightly on the fence here though.

Swordmage Attack 23Radiant Shield

Arcane radiance bursts around your foes, searing them while transforming your allies into insubstantial creatures of light.

Encounter        Arcane, Implement, Radiant Standard Action      Area burst 2 within 10 squares

Target: Each enemy in the burst

Attack: Intelligence vs. Will

Hit: 3d8 + Intelligence modifier radiant damage, and the target is marked until the end of your next turn.

  Aegis of Shielding: The target is instead marked by your aegis of shielding until the end of your next turn. Marking the target does not remove the mark on another target already affected by your aegis of shielding.

Effect: Each ally in the burst becomes insubstantial until the end of your next turn.


Duration: Independantly, this one is really clear. The power modified by the shielding rider continues to be until the end of my next turn. However, why is that restatement under the rider line not included in Thunderign Vortex? If its not included does Thundering Vortex get set at "until you mark another target with this power" when used by a sheilding swordmage?  

"Marking the target does not remove the mark on another target already affected by your Swordmage Aegis"

This is the important bit about these powers, and much of their function is contained here.

If you use one of these powers, it will apply a second mark, that works fully, and does not interfere with the first one in any way.

If you later use the standard aegis power, it will wipe them both.

Hybrid isn't affected by this at all.  Only that if you kill either one of them, then you get the use of the standard mark back, but using it again will wipe the remaining mark.

Edit:  Sorry, frequent edits.  Was a bit confused as to the real question.

Er, perhaps I was unclear.  The question of hybrid vs nonhybrid aegis doesn't affect it.  They both act the same.

Primary:  EONT.  The standard power applies a generic mark, with the specified duration.  The Aegis of Shielding rider overrides only the type of mark, but not the duration, because the rider doesn't say anything about the duration, so the original power stands. 

Secondary:  Yes, killing any target marked by your Aegis of Shielding restores the usage of Hybrid Aegis.  Note, however, that if you use Hybrid Aegis again in such a circumstance, any remaining Aegis marks will be removed.

Nov 8, 2012 -- 11:02AM, Plaguescarred wrote:

Nov 8, 2012 -- 9:30AM, windgate wrote:

What is a mark duration effect for Thundering Vortex used by a shielding swordmage?

Thundering Vortex's mark used by a Shielding Swordmage has no duration, just like a regular Aegis of Shielding's mark. (RC 226)

No.  The rider does not change the duration specified in the Hit line.