Aggro Management [Archive] - Wizards Community

Aggro Management [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Elrabin
09-03-06, 01:10 AM How do you all handle the monsters targetting the players? Do you just arbitrarily choose who they attack? Do they always go for the spellcasters first? Do they go after the warriors in full plate first? Do you pretty much rely on AoO's to keep the monsters from running to the back and taking out the ranged units?

Just wondering.
Norsesmithy
09-03-06, 01:27 AM Smart monsters bypass melee types and go straight for spell casters, dumb ones go straight for the meal not wrapped in tin, unless said tin wrapped meal does him enough damage to nessecitate a retributive attack, say 5% of dumb animal's hp in one round.

In short, everything tries to get the wizard/sorc, and it is the party's job to use battle field control techniques to make sure the T-Rex doesn't eat the tasty, tasty elvish wizard,
stevetom
09-03-06, 01:31 AM i always use the monster manual combat tactics, and when there arent any i usually try to take the creatures intelligence score into account. a smart creature will plot and strategize, like a magical beast or beholder. a dumb one, i.e. 1-2 int, will most often attack whatever is the most apparant threat to them or their young, like any animal would.
KurenaiYami
09-03-06, 01:36 AM Intelligence of 1: Closest creature or creature dealing the most damage to it if all equally close.

Intelligence of 2: As Norsesmithy said, the one not wearing armor, but still closest.

Intelligence 3-5: As 2, except will notice spellcaster as threat if it gets hit by a spell.

Intelligence 6+: Normally attack with purpose, or have past experience fighting things, and have a set plan of attack unique to them. I normally decide for each mob.
Bulletproof_Condom
09-03-06, 01:47 AM The DM's job is to roleplay all the NPCs. In this context, an NPC is any creature that is not player controlled.

Just do what the monster would do. Is it a calculating combatant who can figure out which PC is the biggest threat or is it a big dumb barbarian who just hacks at whoever's closest? It's entirely up to you.

If two PCs appear (to the NPC) to pose a roughly equal threat, roll randomly.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Elrabin 09-03-06, 01:10 AM	How do you all handle the monsters targetting the players? Do you just arbitrarily choose who they attack? Do they always go for the spellcasters first? Do they go after the warriors in full plate first? Do you pretty much rely on AoO's to keep the monsters from running to the back and taking out the ranged units? Just wondering.
Norsesmithy 09-03-06, 01:27 AM	Smart monsters bypass melee types and go straight for spell casters, dumb ones go straight for the meal not wrapped in tin, unless said tin wrapped meal does him enough damage to nessecitate a retributive attack, say 5% of dumb animal's hp in one round. In short, everything tries to get the wizard/sorc, and it is the party's job to use battle field control techniques to make sure the T-Rex doesn't eat the tasty, tasty elvish wizard,
stevetom 09-03-06, 01:31 AM	i always use the monster manual combat tactics, and when there arent any i usually try to take the creatures intelligence score into account. a smart creature will plot and strategize, like a magical beast or beholder. a dumb one, i.e. 1-2 int, will most often attack whatever is the most apparant threat to them or their young, like any animal would.
KurenaiYami 09-03-06, 01:36 AM	Intelligence of 1: Closest creature or creature dealing the most damage to it if all equally close. Intelligence of 2: As Norsesmithy said, the one not wearing armor, but still closest. Intelligence 3-5: As 2, except will notice spellcaster as threat if it gets hit by a spell. Intelligence 6+: Normally attack with purpose, or have past experience fighting things, and have a set plan of attack unique to them. I normally decide for each mob.
Bulletproof_Condom 09-03-06, 01:47 AM	The DM's job is to roleplay all the NPCs. In this context, an NPC is any creature that is not player controlled. Just do what the monster would do. Is it a calculating combatant who can figure out which PC is the biggest threat or is it a big dumb barbarian who just hacks at whoever's closest? It's entirely up to you. If two PCs appear (to the NPC) to pose a roughly equal threat, roll randomly.