Appraise Adversary [Archive] - Wizards Community

Appraise Adversary [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Antioch Skyborn
06-26-03, 03:05 PM As a DM, I fear the players will start a fight that they simply cannot finish. In hopes of preventing a massacre, I prefer the players have skills or magic to help them determine whether to fight or flee--an appraise adversary abilitiy would help. Has anyone worked out a way for players to discern if an opponent is beatable or not? Have you seen such a skill or spell?

I think it would enhance role playing if characters suspected they couldn't beat a foe and thus forcing them into negotiations. On the flip side, I also think they would enjoy the role playing experience if at times they knew they had the upper hand.
Masakado
06-26-03, 05:04 PM I usually let PC's that mindlessly pick fights suffer their lumps & bumps, but there are a couple of ways you can handle situations that you don't want to turn nasty..

1) Knowledge check or Gather Information check:

If the NPC is a regional one & you've determined that he / she has a pretty nasty reputation, a successful Knowledge check for the region, or a Gather Info check made in the course of buying a round of drinks for the locals, could dredge up the odd "You seem to recall a rumor that once killed several men single-handedly" tidbit.

Hopefully the PC's are smart enough to heed the warnings.

You can learn a lot from tavern gossip.

2) Intimidate checks:

If my NPC is a fighter, I roll a soft Intimidate check against one of the PC's (usually another fighter). If the PC fighter fails, he knows that the NPC is better than he is, & it's his job to clue in his fellows on how bad things would be if they attacked the NPC.

If he makes the check, the PC fighter "gets a feeling" that the NPC could outclass them, but isn't sure.

3) Sense Motive checks:

Usually reserved for non Fighter type NPC's, especially Bards.

No one dressed in chainmail & wielding a greataxe wants to be bested by a guy wearing pantaloons & wielding a rapier.

I've houseruled that a successful Sense Motive check (I use the [i]Hunch DC) will help discern if the "pansy with the lute" is really a pansy.
Ilbreth Shadowblade
06-26-03, 06:22 PM And there isn't a better lesson for the PC than having their butts kicked by a pansy looking NPC :D . That'll make them think twice about starting the next fight.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Antioch Skyborn 06-26-03, 03:05 PM	As a DM, I fear the players will start a fight that they simply cannot finish. In hopes of preventing a massacre, I prefer the players have skills or magic to help them determine whether to fight or flee--an appraise adversary abilitiy would help. Has anyone worked out a way for players to discern if an opponent is beatable or not? Have you seen such a skill or spell? I think it would enhance role playing if characters suspected they couldn't beat a foe and thus forcing them into negotiations. On the flip side, I also think they would enjoy the role playing experience if at times they knew they had the upper hand.
Masakado 06-26-03, 05:04 PM	I usually let PC's that mindlessly pick fights suffer their lumps & bumps, but there are a couple of ways you can handle situations that you don't want to turn nasty.. 1) Knowledge check or Gather Information check: If the NPC is a regional one & you've determined that he / she has a pretty nasty reputation, a successful Knowledge check for the region, or a Gather Info check made in the course of buying a round of drinks for the locals, could dredge up the odd "You seem to recall a rumor that once killed several men single-handedly" tidbit. Hopefully the PC's are smart enough to heed the warnings. You can learn a lot from tavern gossip. 2) Intimidate checks: If my NPC is a fighter, I roll a soft Intimidate check against one of the PC's (usually another fighter). If the PC fighter fails, he knows that the NPC is better than he is, & it's his job to clue in his fellows on how bad things would be if they attacked the NPC. If he makes the check, the PC fighter "gets a feeling" that the NPC could outclass them, but isn't sure. 3) Sense Motive checks: Usually reserved for non Fighter type NPC's, especially Bards. No one dressed in chainmail & wielding a greataxe wants to be bested by a guy wearing pantaloons & wielding a rapier. I've houseruled that a successful Sense Motive check (I use the [i]Hunch DC) will help discern if the "pansy with the lute" is really a pansy.
Ilbreth Shadowblade 06-26-03, 06:22 PM	And there isn't a better lesson for the PC than having their butts kicked by a pansy looking NPC :D . That'll make them think twice about starting the next fight.