Post/Author/DateTime	Post
PenderGrass 11-26-03, 11:19 AM	I have heard so many DMs write Threads in a wondering, dazed and confused manner that I guess they have forgotten one of the cardinal rules of DMing..... First, are you having 'problems' with your Players defeating your planned BBEG (or pen-ultimate fights)? Then - are you planning for defeat? Sure your BBEG has a +35 on his Reflex Saves - but have you counted on rolling a '1'??? Well, you should. If you KNOW - and you SHOULD know - that one of the PCs has a Save or Die (or similar) Power - then make sure you plan on NOT making THAT save. Sure, your odds are in your favor that the BBEG will live long enough to activate that world-destroying device (thus completing your vision of the Rogue's Disable Device being able to shine as a high point - cause you know she has been itching to use it in the last 15 sessions!).... BUT DON'T COUNT ON IT. Plan For Defeat. This will also get you beyond that stupid "fudge" rule. Lastly, do you plan for defeat - or do you count on your high percentage chances to see you thru?
Fable 11-26-03, 12:05 PM	Following Dash's flow chart model I now usually plan for the BBEG winning or losing. I only recently implemented this process and it was quite stressing before I would never have a plan if the players did something really unexpected.
Limit 11-26-03, 12:53 PM	Following Dash's flow chart model I now usually plan for the BBEG winning or losing. I only recently implemented this process and it was quite stressing before I would never have a plan if the players did something really unexpected. Could you point me in the direction of more information on this? I did a search for a few keywords and couldn't find what you were referring to. Thanks. :tiphat:
Fixxxer 11-26-03, 03:09 PM	I'd like to get a look at Dash's model as well.
PenderGrass 11-26-03, 03:11 PM	Me too
IaijutsuMaster#1 11-26-03, 07:23 PM	and I
PenderGrass 11-26-03, 08:23 PM	You know...... I haven't seen Dash around lately - anyone seen him lately?
PaladinSix 11-26-03, 08:39 PM	Good question. I haven't seen any posts from him in quite a while. More on topic: PenderGrass, what do you mean when you refer to the "stupid fudge rule?" If you never fudge a roll, well, I can see the value of that, but for myself, especially when its the final, climactic battle of an adventure, I always feel free to fudge something (for or against) if it makes the story better and allows people to have more fun. The only problem is when I don't do it well and the players know that I did it.
Stuntman 11-26-03, 09:34 PM	I tend to plan for multiple outcomes of any adventure. The campaign is dependent on the PC's actions, successes and failures. Depending on the outcome, the campaign takes a different direction. If the PC's fail to stop and advancing army by destroying an important item, the next session may involve the PC's helping evacuate a town in the path of the army and escorting them to safety. If the PC's success at stopping the army, they may be an advanced task force for a counterattack. If the PC's do something that is extraordinary and unexpected, I'm sure you can figure out what the ramifications are. A good DM should have a general idea of the situation in the campaign and can figure out a likely outcome resulting from almost any event.
Farland 11-26-03, 10:21 PM	I PM'ed Dash today and he PM'ed me back today. That's the way to get a hold of him.