|
Post by joelmarler on Oct 31, 2017 19:35:43 GMT -5
Oh dear: that article in Trollzine 2 is very similar to mine. Oh well, mine's written now.
|
|
|
Post by zanshin on Nov 1, 2017 18:23:28 GMT -5
Oh dear: that article in Trollzine 2 is very similar to mine. Oh well, mine's written now. Great minds thinking alike There was a similar article about monsters, in Trollszine 4 or 5. More than happy to see more on these ideas - I think it is a really cool mechanic.
|
|
dungeondevil
3rd Level Troll
Give me grain and I'll give you guns!
Posts: 174
|
Post by dungeondevil on Nov 2, 2017 3:29:39 GMT -5
MONSTER MORALE, a.k.a. Turning Tail and Running for the Hills
I've done a search in dT&T and 5th ed. for morale rules, but found none. Has anyone houseruled such a concept -- in the least, for the monsters, if not for the PCs?
If morale is to be a feature in monster behavior when it has been receiving lots of hurt, I'm considering a mechanic such that if the MR is reduced to, say, 50 percent, the monster will disengage and flee by the easiest route possible. A more stubborn beastie (or more stupid) may not consider taking to flight until it is reduced to 25 percent. I guess it can be a turnable dial from "NO RETREAT!" to "OUCH! I GOT A PAPERCUT! I'M OUTTA HERE!" I find it hard to believe that all monsters encountered will stand their ground until the last hit point is eliminated.
|
|
|
Post by jeffepp on Nov 2, 2017 5:48:46 GMT -5
It's one of those things that's hard to peg down as a rule. And programmed solos can't really handle the chase aspect of a retreat. It's really something that has to be decided by the GM, on a case by case basis.
|
|
|
Post by speed1000 on Nov 2, 2017 7:54:06 GMT -5
I do D&D Hit Dice x 15. Then that result x average character level of group. So for this Bugbear I'd do 15 x 3 = 45, then plus 1 (HD 3+1) giving a base MR 46 (5+23) verses L1 characters. The average level character in my campaign is L8 so then L8 Bugbears are MR 368 which is very tough. The chart at Wizard dawn has epic ones at MR 365, so ten of these would certainly be a challenging fight against the groups eleven PCs.
|
|
dungeondevil
3rd Level Troll
Give me grain and I'll give you guns!
Posts: 174
|
Post by dungeondevil on Nov 2, 2017 21:28:19 GMT -5
Thanks for the reference to Wizardawn: the listings will be helpful.
|
|
|
Post by jeffepp on Nov 3, 2017 0:09:20 GMT -5
I find the best practice is to figure out the MR you want, then decide what kind the monster is. The type of monster shouldn't dictate the MR. Don't get caught up in the rigid thought pattern that X monster must be Y strong.
|
|
|
Post by khaboom on Nov 3, 2017 0:58:12 GMT -5
I decide based on whether the monster is mindless, under strict orders, etc and often end up rolling it up a 3d6 unmodified 'resoluteness' attribute and then trying a L1 or L2 SR - or just decide what I think is reasonable and most fun for the players. In fact, the fun/reasonable test is the best imho!
|
|
|
Post by zanshin on Nov 3, 2017 1:29:11 GMT -5
You can even rule that when the monsters MR is reduced to 0 that it flees at that point.
All depends on what you want from the situation or for the joint story.
|
|
|
Post by khaboom on Nov 3, 2017 12:24:10 GMT -5
Just rule that at zero the monster has fleas...
|
|
|
Post by zanshin on Nov 3, 2017 13:08:52 GMT -5
Just rule that at zero the monster has fleas... When it's fleas flee you know that the monster is really in trouble.
|
|
|
Post by khaboom on Nov 3, 2017 15:35:13 GMT -5
Mind you, with mutation magic those fleas can turn into an even worse problem
|
|
|
Post by mormonyoyoman on Nov 4, 2017 15:25:17 GMT -5
Just rule that at zero the monster has fleas... When it's fleas flee you know that the monster is really in trouble. Channeling Bud Abbott are you?
|
|
|
Post by khaboom on Nov 4, 2017 20:04:59 GMT -5
I'll have a Bud, you be Lou and we'll skip there together
|
|
|
Post by mormonyoyoman on Nov 4, 2017 23:02:09 GMT -5
I'll have a Bud, you be Lou and we'll skip there together You're sadder Bud wiser?
|
|