Skill Question / Were Beasts ! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Skill Question / Were Beasts ! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Oathwin Oakheart
07-17-07, 11:42 PM What skill would a character use to know about were beasts weakness to silver weapons? ( or any other information about them for that matter )
The players all know about it, but thier characters don't. What's the best way to handle this?

Thanks! :confused:
Tsuul
07-18-07, 12:10 AM Local knowledge covers it.
Knowlege (Local):
Local (legends, personalities, inhabitants, laws, customs, traditions, humanoids)

And lycanthropes are humanoids.
Kouk
07-18-07, 03:59 AM Local knowledge covers it.
Knowlege (Local):
Local (legends, personalities, inhabitants, laws, customs, traditions, humanoids)

And lycanthropes are humanoids.

And they're fairly popular legends.

See the description of the Knowledge skill in the Players Handbook for how to identify different monsters and their abilities.
zelf_gale
07-18-07, 11:15 AM Question 1
Knowledge (Local) is the correct skill. Bardic Knowledge may also give this away. Some divination spells in the spell compendium gave information about opponents weaknesses. Finally Gather Information and Diplomacy might be able to get your PC the services of an NPC who could provide this information.

Question 2
I've seen three methods for dealing with popular monster player knowledge.

Method 1-Characters know most stuff too.
The popularity of the monsters extends into the game world so that every commoner knows that silver hurts werewolves and sunlight hurts vampires. The DM notifies the players if a monster is popular enough to allow immediate recognition and any well known vulnerabilities at the beginning of the fight.

Method 2-Characters think they know most stuff too.
The players are allowed to bring their monster knowledge but the monsters have templates or disguised as other monsters so that the players attempts to use the knowledge are foiled. As a slightly less strong handed approach, monsters might regularly cover their weaknesses if possible with spells and gear so that trolls take fire protection potions before battle.

Method 3-Characters don't know most stuff.
The players are restricted to in game knowledge and have to drastically role play any correct choice of offensive ability. Monster Manuals are often kept closed by players during combats to ensure role playing purity.
tarkin
07-18-07, 12:24 PM Also as part of method 2

The DM never says "The Werewolf attacks"

Because creatures do not come with labels.

Instead the DM should always use the word "creature".

He may describe it, saying it looks wolfish but humanoid (Gnoll, not werewolf he he he)

But never use the monster's name. Let the players decide what it is.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Oathwin Oakheart 07-17-07, 11:42 PM	What skill would a character use to know about were beasts weakness to silver weapons? ( or any other information about them for that matter ) The players all know about it, but thier characters don't. What's the best way to handle this? Thanks! :confused:
Tsuul 07-18-07, 12:10 AM	Local knowledge covers it. Knowlege (Local): Local (legends, personalities, inhabitants, laws, customs, traditions, humanoids) And lycanthropes are humanoids.
Kouk 07-18-07, 03:59 AM	Local knowledge covers it. Knowlege (Local): Local (legends, personalities, inhabitants, laws, customs, traditions, humanoids) And lycanthropes are humanoids. And they're fairly popular legends. See the description of the Knowledge skill in the Players Handbook for how to identify different monsters and their abilities.
zelf_gale 07-18-07, 11:15 AM	Question 1 Knowledge (Local) is the correct skill. Bardic Knowledge may also give this away. Some divination spells in the spell compendium gave information about opponents weaknesses. Finally Gather Information and Diplomacy might be able to get your PC the services of an NPC who could provide this information. Question 2 I've seen three methods for dealing with popular monster player knowledge. Method 1-Characters know most stuff too. The popularity of the monsters extends into the game world so that every commoner knows that silver hurts werewolves and sunlight hurts vampires. The DM notifies the players if a monster is popular enough to allow immediate recognition and any well known vulnerabilities at the beginning of the fight. Method 2-Characters think they know most stuff too. The players are allowed to bring their monster knowledge but the monsters have templates or disguised as other monsters so that the players attempts to use the knowledge are foiled. As a slightly less strong handed approach, monsters might regularly cover their weaknesses if possible with spells and gear so that trolls take fire protection potions before battle. Method 3-Characters don't know most stuff. The players are restricted to in game knowledge and have to drastically role play any correct choice of offensive ability. Monster Manuals are often kept closed by players during combats to ensure role playing purity.
tarkin 07-18-07, 12:24 PM	Also as part of method 2 The DM never says "The Werewolf attacks" Because creatures do not come with labels. Instead the DM should always use the word "creature". He may describe it, saying it looks wolfish but humanoid (Gnoll, not werewolf he he he) But never use the monster's name. Let the players decide what it is.