Battle Royale... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Battle Royale... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
AlanBruce
05-20-06, 01:30 PM As a break between adventures, our group decided to stage a "what if" scenario where all 4 PCs battled in an arena against each other. The prize is modest, but will help the party funds for the next adventure. The party consists of the following:

Human Abjurer 5, opposed schhols: Necromancy and Conjuration

Human Warmage 4

Dwarf Ftr1/Cleric 3

Dwarf Fighter 4

The arena will be a circle 200ft in diameter with a wall surrounding the arena 20ft. high. The PCs will be at equidistant points on the arena, think the four points on a compass. Buffing up before the battle is not allowed, given the time it will take the challengers to engage each other in melee. Now, any ideas to perhpas make this mini game a lot more balanced? Any tactical suggestions? Help is much appreciated.
PenderGrass
05-20-06, 03:20 PM I have players that have done this many times.

I suggest making some ground rules that include:

1. A set # of rounds that can go by without an attack. Whoever made the last attack, wins the bout by default.

2. A limit to the height above the arena that people can fly/levitate/etc. to (although, it looks like your group may not be high enough level to worry about this).

3. Limit the time of each bout.

4. Score based on # of attacks that hit - not necessarily the damage dealt (a knock-out or death still counts - obviously - as a win).

I have thrown in other things, trapped areas, structures to fight from or move behind, etc., but the 4 above are a good base for this type of event.

:dragon:
****
AlanBruce
05-20-06, 04:10 PM These are all very good ground rules. Although they have stated that they want a "last man standing wins" sort of battle. So it will get pretty bloody, much like a gladiatorial arena.
Bane
05-20-06, 04:27 PM The abjurer should win. First, they fly. Next, Protection from Arrows. Then start casting Sleep, starting with the Warmage. If you can't get the Dwarves with it, you can use all your other spells for offensive magic: Scorching Ray, Lightning Bolt, even Rays of Frost. Then you pull out the crossbow.

Consider these things before you get started.
Ankalagon
05-20-06, 04:29 PM I'd go with anything goes. If you try and make rules then you will end up hurting one type of class.

For example: Charm Person could easily win you a battle such as this without ever hitting anyone.

A Rogue should be allowed to climb out of the arena, run around, sneak back in the other side and sneak attack someone.

Rules in an arena stand off favour the fighter. To a Wiz or a cleric (at low levels) this becomes the equivalent of the kobayashi maru. They should be allowed to "win" by their terms on an even field.

Likewise, magic stuff as per their character sheet should also be allowed (at higher levels) otherwise it's the fighters that get the shaft.

That's my :twocents:
PenderGrass
05-20-06, 05:00 PM I have seen some PvP arena battles get real cheesy by one PC actually leaving the arena and stating "I'll wait until the other PC dies from dehydration."

Stating that some sort of attack is required every X # of rounds, prevents this type of "victory" - after all, we want blood - right?

Also, I don't see how some ground rules actually hinder casters in the arena - it just helps to prevent cheap things like - "I fly up for a mile and drop gold pieces on his head."

Again, we want BLOOD!

Right?

Actually, I would have the "audience" be some gods that beat the snot out of any PC that has a less than bloody type of victory - or imbue them with a justifiable "curse" from the god of competitions.

:dragon:
****
AlanBruce
05-20-06, 05:00 PM Well, the abjurer has the following list:

Level 1:

Shield

Alarm

Protection from Evil

Identify

Charm Person

Magic Weapon

Feather Fall

Tenser's Floating Disc

Color Spray

Ectoplasmic Armor

Magic Missile

Level 2:

Protection from Arrows

Resist Energy

Invisibility

Bull's Strength

Cat's Grace

Mirror Image

Ray of Ice

Light of Mercuria

Level 3:

Protection from Energy

Lightning Bolt

He carries a scroll of Charm Person and Dispel Magic with him as well. Although the idea of charming is a tempting one, the dwarves get pretty good saves against spells, so perhaps the warmage may be his best bet.
AlanBruce
05-20-06, 05:03 PM there will be much blood spilled. My players are vicious. They see this as the only chance to play evil, since i rarely allow such alignments in the game. They have come up with very good strategies. They all seem to have one thing in common though: the wizard MUST go down first!
PenderGrass
05-20-06, 05:03 PM BLOOD!

BLOOD!!

BLOOD!!!

BLOOD!!!!

BLOOD!!!!!

:dragon:
****
Ankalagon
05-20-06, 05:16 PM I was kinda relying on the fact they want blood.

Charm, Hold Person, Summon Monster, Confusion, Dominate.

These are arena winning spells, trust me I'm a right sneaky bastard when in Evil mode. Being evil why put your own Hps on the line when there's a perfectly good fighter over there with plenty to spare. Use his, it would be positively impolite not to :schemes:
AlanBruce
05-20-06, 05:29 PM Unfortunately, some of the spells you listed, like Dominate are unavailable at the moment. The wizard's best bet is to charm the fighter (dubbed as The Butcher of the Battlefield for this arena stand off). If the fighter can be charmed and sent to attack the warmage and cleric, it will be over very soon.
Ankalagon
05-20-06, 05:34 PM Unfortunately, some of the spells you listed, like Dominate are unavailable at the moment. The wizard's best bet is to charm the fighter (dubbed as The Butcher of the Battlefield for this arena stand off). If the fighter can be charmed and sent to attack the warmage and cleric, it will be over very soon.
Remember to summon, summon spells buy you time. You see sneaky bastard ;)
AlanBruce
05-20-06, 05:51 PM Although the wizard can't, the cleric has two summon monster I scrolls ready for use, plus summon monster II for being 3rd level cleric. He could turn the tide to his favor when all his enemies are flanked by celestial monkeys.
Ankalagon
05-20-06, 05:53 PM Although the wizard can't, the cleric has two summon monster I scrolls ready for use, plus summon monster II for being 3rd level cleric. He could turn the tide to his favor when all his enemies are flanked by celestial monkeys.

Yay monkeys. Should provide some giggles too.
AlanBruce
05-21-06, 12:26 PM The match begins in just a few hours... any last minute suggestions???
Ryusage
05-21-06, 12:39 PM Remember the Cheetos and Mountain Dew!
Trill_the_Ranger
05-21-06, 01:09 PM are they going to "the death" or just to unconscious piles of pulp? O.o

would suck if one of them died before the nex adventure :(
DaMullet
05-21-06, 01:13 PM I think it's more like a 'hypothetical' thing. You know, where 'all damage is supressed' or 'you're inside some sort of nonspace where death simply transports you back to the material plane' or '*insert Du Ex Machina here*'.
locksley92
05-21-06, 01:15 PM are they going to "the death" or just to unconscious piles of pulp? O.o

would suck if one of them died before the nex adventure that would suck.

On a different note, this is something I've never tried. My PCs would love this.
AlanBruce
05-21-06, 01:41 PM The battle is to the death. as stated earlier, this is a "break" between adventures. They just want to see how well they can duke it out amongst themselves before taking over RttToEE.
Ryusage
05-21-06, 02:59 PM make sure to post the results here afterwards!
Milandros
05-21-06, 10:24 PM Think about terrain - a big 200' wide arena favours the mages, as they can blast easily from that range and don't get meleed. On the other hand, a mage who first spots the fighter when he's 5' away is usually in trouble, so tunnels, walls and mazes favour them. Some mix is a good idea.
AlanBruce
05-21-06, 11:10 PM Think about terrain - a big 200' wide arena favours the mages, as they can blast easily from that range and don't get meleed. On the other hand, a mage who first spots the fighter when he's 5' away is usually in trouble, so tunnels, walls and mazes favour them. Some mix is a good idea.

But given the wizard's spell list, which I posted a few threads ago, the other PC's only threat for them in the first few rounds would be lightningbolt, which as a distance of 100 ft +. The dwarves both have well over 40 hp and good reflex saves, with the additional dwarf bonus to spells. The warmage, at that distance, has Melf's acid arrow for a distance of 400 ft. +, which does an average amount of damage per casting (he can cast 4 of those on a given day). The distance will benefit the mages for the first few rounds, yes, giving them a chance to reduce the fighter and cleric's hp somewhat. After that, it depends on the arcanist's footwork to maintain the upperhand.
AZNsupermarket
05-21-06, 11:13 PM if they try to run away, does their collar explode around their neck? LOL

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b73/FavelaFunk/movie_battleroyale03.jpg
AlanBruce
05-21-06, 11:32 PM That would be funny... all of a sudden, the cowering wizard attempts to run back, only to have his head burst like a watermelon and his blood stained robes keep dragging his headless body for a few feet before collapsing... but no. The players have stated their pcs will fight... until one stands above them all. Besides, each will emerge from a door on the walls of the arena which will shut down once they enter the battlefield. Nowhere else to go but forward...
Someone
05-21-06, 11:43 PM if they try to run away, does their collar explode around their neck? LOLIf I were drinking something at the time I saw that, I would have just done a spit take all over my monitor.
AZNsupermarket
05-22-06, 03:22 PM just double checking, Alan was your idea based off of the japanese movie/book: Battle Royale?
AlanBruce
05-22-06, 03:32 PM Never heard of it. I picked the name because it sounded somewhat grand (ironic, considering their levels are not at a "grand" status yet). As a recent development, one of my players will be unable to make it to the session. Which means the stand off will be between the Abjurer, Warmage, and Fighter/Cleric. I guess restrategizing is in order now...
AZNsupermarket
05-22-06, 04:08 PM its this awesome movie/book which is about a government run program in japan named Battle Royale where a grade of high school kids are forced onto an island, have explosive collars strapped around their necks, given a random weapon (everything from a machine gun to throwing knives to a plastic spoon), and told that the last one alive at the end of the following day wins.
AlanBruce
05-23-06, 12:09 AM Round 1: Warmage casts Ice Knife on Wiz. Wizard goes invisible. Cleric makes a run for

the wizard.

Round 2: Warmage looks all over for wizard... without a clue. Cleric calls forth a

celestial firebeetle. Wizard drinks a potion of spider climb and makes for the

walls.

Round 3: Warmage keeps trying to sniff the wizard out, unsuccessfully. Wizard

charms the warmage, revealing his position on the wall. Firebeetle misses

miserably. The dwarf approaches the wall.

Round 4: Warmage blasts the dwarf with a well placed Scorching Ray. Wizard

finishes the job with a lightningbolt on the dwarf, at the same time sending

the celestial beetle bak to Celestia. Dwarf falls head first on the sand.

Round 5: Satisfied on his handiwork, the wizard asks his new warmage friend to wait

in that spot for "just a few seconds", retreats a few feet while still spider

climbing and fries the warmage with his last well placed lightningbolt.

I guess it was a given...
PenderGrass
05-23-06, 02:10 AM I am surprised the wizard's Charm worked since the warmage should have got a +5 to his save and then an opposed charisma check to be convinced in doing anything but win the match (which, unfortunately for the dwarf, would have included blasting the fighter).

He must have rolled really poorly on his Will save.

:dragon:
****
AlanBruce
05-23-06, 10:46 AM The Warmage rolled a natural 1. And given that they all began as enemies on the arena, intent on killing each other, the wizard's friendly voice came as a respite for him.
Ryusage
05-23-06, 03:33 PM The fighter had no chance :D :D :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
AlanBruce 05-20-06, 01:30 PM	As a break between adventures, our group decided to stage a "what if" scenario where all 4 PCs battled in an arena against each other. The prize is modest, but will help the party funds for the next adventure. The party consists of the following: Human Abjurer 5, opposed schhols: Necromancy and Conjuration Human Warmage 4 Dwarf Ftr1/Cleric 3 Dwarf Fighter 4 The arena will be a circle 200ft in diameter with a wall surrounding the arena 20ft. high. The PCs will be at equidistant points on the arena, think the four points on a compass. Buffing up before the battle is not allowed, given the time it will take the challengers to engage each other in melee. Now, any ideas to perhpas make this mini game a lot more balanced? Any tactical suggestions? Help is much appreciated.
PenderGrass 05-20-06, 03:20 PM	I have players that have done this many times. I suggest making some ground rules that include: 1. A set # of rounds that can go by without an attack. Whoever made the last attack, wins the bout by default. 2. A limit to the height above the arena that people can fly/levitate/etc. to (although, it looks like your group may not be high enough level to worry about this). 3. Limit the time of each bout. 4. Score based on # of attacks that hit - not necessarily the damage dealt (a knock-out or death still counts - obviously - as a win). I have thrown in other things, trapped areas, structures to fight from or move behind, etc., but the 4 above are a good base for this type of event. :dragon: ****
AlanBruce 05-20-06, 04:10 PM	These are all very good ground rules. Although they have stated that they want a "last man standing wins" sort of battle. So it will get pretty bloody, much like a gladiatorial arena.
Bane 05-20-06, 04:27 PM	The abjurer should win. First, they fly. Next, Protection from Arrows. Then start casting Sleep, starting with the Warmage. If you can't get the Dwarves with it, you can use all your other spells for offensive magic: Scorching Ray, Lightning Bolt, even Rays of Frost. Then you pull out the crossbow. Consider these things before you get started.
Ankalagon 05-20-06, 04:29 PM	I'd go with anything goes. If you try and make rules then you will end up hurting one type of class. For example: Charm Person could easily win you a battle such as this without ever hitting anyone. A Rogue should be allowed to climb out of the arena, run around, sneak back in the other side and sneak attack someone. Rules in an arena stand off favour the fighter. To a Wiz or a cleric (at low levels) this becomes the equivalent of the kobayashi maru. They should be allowed to "win" by their terms on an even field. Likewise, magic stuff as per their character sheet should also be allowed (at higher levels) otherwise it's the fighters that get the shaft. That's my :twocents:
PenderGrass 05-20-06, 05:00 PM	I have seen some PvP arena battles get real cheesy by one PC actually leaving the arena and stating "I'll wait until the other PC dies from dehydration." Stating that some sort of attack is required every X # of rounds, prevents this type of "victory" - after all, we want blood - right? Also, I don't see how some ground rules actually hinder casters in the arena - it just helps to prevent cheap things like - "I fly up for a mile and drop gold pieces on his head." Again, we want BLOOD! Right? Actually, I would have the "audience" be some gods that beat the snot out of any PC that has a less than bloody type of victory - or imbue them with a justifiable "curse" from the god of competitions. :dragon: ****
AlanBruce 05-20-06, 05:00 PM	Well, the abjurer has the following list: Level 1: Shield Alarm Protection from Evil Identify Charm Person Magic Weapon Feather Fall Tenser's Floating Disc Color Spray Ectoplasmic Armor Magic Missile Level 2: Protection from Arrows Resist Energy Invisibility Bull's Strength Cat's Grace Mirror Image Ray of Ice Light of Mercuria Level 3: Protection from Energy Lightning Bolt He carries a scroll of Charm Person and Dispel Magic with him as well. Although the idea of charming is a tempting one, the dwarves get pretty good saves against spells, so perhaps the warmage may be his best bet.
AlanBruce 05-20-06, 05:03 PM	there will be much blood spilled. My players are vicious. They see this as the only chance to play evil, since i rarely allow such alignments in the game. They have come up with very good strategies. They all seem to have one thing in common though: the wizard MUST go down first!
PenderGrass 05-20-06, 05:03 PM	BLOOD! BLOOD!! BLOOD!!! BLOOD!!!! BLOOD!!!!! :dragon: ****
Ankalagon 05-20-06, 05:16 PM	I was kinda relying on the fact they want blood. Charm, Hold Person, Summon Monster, Confusion, Dominate. These are arena winning spells, trust me I'm a right sneaky bastard when in Evil mode. Being evil why put your own Hps on the line when there's a perfectly good fighter over there with plenty to spare. Use his, it would be positively impolite not to :schemes:
AlanBruce 05-20-06, 05:29 PM	Unfortunately, some of the spells you listed, like Dominate are unavailable at the moment. The wizard's best bet is to charm the fighter (dubbed as The Butcher of the Battlefield for this arena stand off). If the fighter can be charmed and sent to attack the warmage and cleric, it will be over very soon.
Ankalagon 05-20-06, 05:34 PM	Unfortunately, some of the spells you listed, like Dominate are unavailable at the moment. The wizard's best bet is to charm the fighter (dubbed as The Butcher of the Battlefield for this arena stand off). If the fighter can be charmed and sent to attack the warmage and cleric, it will be over very soon. Remember to summon, summon spells buy you time. You see sneaky bastard ;)
AlanBruce 05-20-06, 05:51 PM	Although the wizard can't, the cleric has two summon monster I scrolls ready for use, plus summon monster II for being 3rd level cleric. He could turn the tide to his favor when all his enemies are flanked by celestial monkeys.
Ankalagon 05-20-06, 05:53 PM	Although the wizard can't, the cleric has two summon monster I scrolls ready for use, plus summon monster II for being 3rd level cleric. He could turn the tide to his favor when all his enemies are flanked by celestial monkeys. Yay monkeys. Should provide some giggles too.
AlanBruce 05-21-06, 12:26 PM	The match begins in just a few hours... any last minute suggestions???
Ryusage 05-21-06, 12:39 PM	Remember the Cheetos and Mountain Dew!
Trill_the_Ranger 05-21-06, 01:09 PM	are they going to "the death" or just to unconscious piles of pulp? O.o would suck if one of them died before the nex adventure :(
DaMullet 05-21-06, 01:13 PM	I think it's more like a 'hypothetical' thing. You know, where 'all damage is supressed' or 'you're inside some sort of nonspace where death simply transports you back to the material plane' or 'insert Du Ex Machina here'.
locksley92 05-21-06, 01:15 PM	are they going to "the death" or just to unconscious piles of pulp? O.o would suck if one of them died before the nex adventure that would suck. On a different note, this is something I've never tried. My PCs would love this.
AlanBruce 05-21-06, 01:41 PM	The battle is to the death. as stated earlier, this is a "break" between adventures. They just want to see how well they can duke it out amongst themselves before taking over RttToEE.
Ryusage 05-21-06, 02:59 PM	make sure to post the results here afterwards!
Milandros 05-21-06, 10:24 PM	Think about terrain - a big 200' wide arena favours the mages, as they can blast easily from that range and don't get meleed. On the other hand, a mage who first spots the fighter when he's 5' away is usually in trouble, so tunnels, walls and mazes favour them. Some mix is a good idea.
AlanBruce 05-21-06, 11:10 PM	Think about terrain - a big 200' wide arena favours the mages, as they can blast easily from that range and don't get meleed. On the other hand, a mage who first spots the fighter when he's 5' away is usually in trouble, so tunnels, walls and mazes favour them. Some mix is a good idea. But given the wizard's spell list, which I posted a few threads ago, the other PC's only threat for them in the first few rounds would be lightningbolt, which as a distance of 100 ft +. The dwarves both have well over 40 hp and good reflex saves, with the additional dwarf bonus to spells. The warmage, at that distance, has Melf's acid arrow for a distance of 400 ft. +, which does an average amount of damage per casting (he can cast 4 of those on a given day). The distance will benefit the mages for the first few rounds, yes, giving them a chance to reduce the fighter and cleric's hp somewhat. After that, it depends on the arcanist's footwork to maintain the upperhand.
AZNsupermarket 05-21-06, 11:13 PM	if they try to run away, does their collar explode around their neck? LOL http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b73/FavelaFunk/movie_battleroyale03.jpg
AlanBruce 05-21-06, 11:32 PM	That would be funny... all of a sudden, the cowering wizard attempts to run back, only to have his head burst like a watermelon and his blood stained robes keep dragging his headless body for a few feet before collapsing... but no. The players have stated their pcs will fight... until one stands above them all. Besides, each will emerge from a door on the walls of the arena which will shut down once they enter the battlefield. Nowhere else to go but forward...
Someone 05-21-06, 11:43 PM	if they try to run away, does their collar explode around their neck? LOLIf I were drinking something at the time I saw that, I would have just done a spit take all over my monitor.
AZNsupermarket 05-22-06, 03:22 PM	just double checking, Alan was your idea based off of the japanese movie/book: Battle Royale?
AlanBruce 05-22-06, 03:32 PM	Never heard of it. I picked the name because it sounded somewhat grand (ironic, considering their levels are not at a "grand" status yet). As a recent development, one of my players will be unable to make it to the session. Which means the stand off will be between the Abjurer, Warmage, and Fighter/Cleric. I guess restrategizing is in order now...
AZNsupermarket 05-22-06, 04:08 PM	its this awesome movie/book which is about a government run program in japan named Battle Royale where a grade of high school kids are forced onto an island, have explosive collars strapped around their necks, given a random weapon (everything from a machine gun to throwing knives to a plastic spoon), and told that the last one alive at the end of the following day wins.
AlanBruce 05-23-06, 12:09 AM	Round 1: Warmage casts Ice Knife on Wiz. Wizard goes invisible. Cleric makes a run for the wizard. Round 2: Warmage looks all over for wizard... without a clue. Cleric calls forth a celestial firebeetle. Wizard drinks a potion of spider climb and makes for the walls. Round 3: Warmage keeps trying to sniff the wizard out, unsuccessfully. Wizard charms the warmage, revealing his position on the wall. Firebeetle misses miserably. The dwarf approaches the wall. Round 4: Warmage blasts the dwarf with a well placed Scorching Ray. Wizard finishes the job with a lightningbolt on the dwarf, at the same time sending the celestial beetle bak to Celestia. Dwarf falls head first on the sand. Round 5: Satisfied on his handiwork, the wizard asks his new warmage friend to wait in that spot for "just a few seconds", retreats a few feet while still spider climbing and fries the warmage with his last well placed lightningbolt. I guess it was a given...
PenderGrass 05-23-06, 02:10 AM	I am surprised the wizard's Charm worked since the warmage should have got a +5 to his save and then an opposed charisma check to be convinced in doing anything but win the match (which, unfortunately for the dwarf, would have included blasting the fighter). He must have rolled really poorly on his Will save. :dragon: ****
AlanBruce 05-23-06, 10:46 AM	The Warmage rolled a natural 1. And given that they all began as enemies on the arena, intent on killing each other, the wizard's friendly voice came as a respite for him.
Ryusage 05-23-06, 03:33 PM	The fighter had no chance :D :D :D