Allied NPCs in combat [Archive] - Wizards Community

Allied NPCs in combat [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
OmiKapSi
07-02-05, 04:26 PM I'm just wondering about and interested in dicussing how you handle allied NPCs in combat.

For myself, I don't even roll dice for them unless they are fighting the same enemies as the PCs. I figure that since the game is meant to be focused on the PCs, watching me roll dice and tell them about how well or poorly the NPCs are doing (as dictated by the dice) isn't going to be particularly interesting. I know that when I play it's not.

When an NPC is being treated as an allied party member, I'll generally roll their attacks and damage, but I do it as quickly as possible, and don't give it as much description.
When an NPC is having a fight that is not influencing or being influenced by the PCs, I usually don't even describe it much, I just describe the outcome based on greatest likelyhood, occasionally modified for impact on the story.

Now, I tend to run games that have a greater focus on story than game, and thus am somewhat flexible with how often and how significant dice rolls are. I don't fudge rolls often (save to avoid TPKs for low level characters or new players) and am a strong proponent of letting them dictate the outcome of any given situation. On the other hand, it's just not all that interesting to be sitting there rolling through a combat while the players watch, listen, and don't participate.
Cymraegmorgan
07-03-05, 03:13 AM If NPCs are allied with the PCs, one of the players usually runs them during combat. Which players takes on the role of Field Marshall is usually decided as soon as an NPC hooks up with the party.
stranger-654
07-03-05, 04:06 AM Well i have a question a lot along this line.....in one adventure my PC will be defending a town with the help of 30 garrison members...or more.....do i have to roll hp for them all or just have them as background killing and be killed....i have no leaning either way.....this time.
Nom
07-03-05, 05:53 AM It depends on whether we're talking 1-2 extra (NPC) characters or large numbers. If large numbers, just focus on what the PCs are doing and describe the rest. If 1-2 extra characters, it's often best to let the players run them in a tactical situation, with you having executive oversight. It's usually enough to provide a summary of their abilities rather than a full sheet. This increases player activity and prevents you needing to run both sides in an encounter.
astute1
07-03-05, 09:48 AM Yeah, I agree with what Nom said. If there are only a few NPCs, then the players get to run them, unless I don't want them knowing the NPCs stats for some reason. If there are a lot, then the outcome of the battle is probably predetermined and I only roll for the things that directly affect the players.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
OmiKapSi 07-02-05, 04:26 PM	I'm just wondering about and interested in dicussing how you handle allied NPCs in combat. For myself, I don't even roll dice for them unless they are fighting the same enemies as the PCs. I figure that since the game is meant to be focused on the PCs, watching me roll dice and tell them about how well or poorly the NPCs are doing (as dictated by the dice) isn't going to be particularly interesting. I know that when I play it's not. When an NPC is being treated as an allied party member, I'll generally roll their attacks and damage, but I do it as quickly as possible, and don't give it as much description. When an NPC is having a fight that is not influencing or being influenced by the PCs, I usually don't even describe it much, I just describe the outcome based on greatest likelyhood, occasionally modified for impact on the story. Now, I tend to run games that have a greater focus on story than game, and thus am somewhat flexible with how often and how significant dice rolls are. I don't fudge rolls often (save to avoid TPKs for low level characters or new players) and am a strong proponent of letting them dictate the outcome of any given situation. On the other hand, it's just not all that interesting to be sitting there rolling through a combat while the players watch, listen, and don't participate.
Cymraegmorgan 07-03-05, 03:13 AM	If NPCs are allied with the PCs, one of the players usually runs them during combat. Which players takes on the role of Field Marshall is usually decided as soon as an NPC hooks up with the party.
stranger-654 07-03-05, 04:06 AM	Well i have a question a lot along this line.....in one adventure my PC will be defending a town with the help of 30 garrison members...or more.....do i have to roll hp for them all or just have them as background killing and be killed....i have no leaning either way.....this time.
Nom 07-03-05, 05:53 AM	It depends on whether we're talking 1-2 extra (NPC) characters or large numbers. If large numbers, just focus on what the PCs are doing and describe the rest. If 1-2 extra characters, it's often best to let the players run them in a tactical situation, with you having executive oversight. It's usually enough to provide a summary of their abilities rather than a full sheet. This increases player activity and prevents you needing to run both sides in an encounter.
astute1 07-03-05, 09:48 AM	Yeah, I agree with what Nom said. If there are only a few NPCs, then the players get to run them, unless I don't want them knowing the NPCs stats for some reason. If there are a lot, then the outcome of the battle is probably predetermined and I only roll for the things that directly affect the players.