Post/Author/DateTime	Post
william_reinmar 11-09-04, 04:34 PM	okay as the title said im arranging big huge gigantic etc etc battle. What im planning is haveing several pieces of graph paper stapled to a huge piece of poster paper. Now im not good on looking ahead, (see my other posts) so what pitfalls and perals should I lookout for in this cource of action?????? p.s. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: ive been screwing around with my signature so if it comes out all funky and huge I apologize
ck2001wendt 11-09-04, 04:58 PM	I assume you're going to be moving units around on this graph paper, and probably you'll want to make up terrain? I don't know how expensive this might be, but instead of graph paper (which will get smudged and icky as you erase units to move them), perhaps several large battlemats.
fish_heads 11-09-04, 05:28 PM	determine how you're going to run all the squads, etc. rolling 300 d20s is never fun...
Fixxxer 11-09-04, 05:35 PM	Either check in the "DM Programs" thread or look up Farland and click the link in his signature. He's designed a very nice mass combat program, which it sounds like you need.
william_reinmar 11-09-04, 08:27 PM	:bump:
MortalPlague 11-09-04, 08:33 PM	I'm not sure why you're bumping the thread, as your vague question has been already answered a couple of times. Perhaps you could offer some sort of explanation as to whether or not Fixxxer's suggested programs are useful or not, or about the expense of the battle-mat plans? Ignoring your suggestions isn't very charitable.
Fixxxer 11-09-04, 09:04 PM	Ignoring your suggestions isn't very charitable. Agreed. If you haven't found what you're looking for yet, it would be best to explain why what has een suggested thus far doesn't work for you to give the reader a better understanding of what you're looking for. In the end, it's at least better than an uninformative smilie bump.
Mantel_DeMenglamaar 11-09-04, 10:12 PM	In general for large battles, I find its generally a better idea to follow the old West End method. Give the heroes specific events where they can shift elements of the battle. Running the ENTIRE battle, sounds like a cool idea, but unless you're a great DM (and if you are, more power too you!), its going to get bogged down and the players will get upset after waiting for the third echelon pikemen to get moving. In short. Keep the battle as background. Run the battle itself as short 'vignettes' within the battle. DEFEND THE SUPPLY LINE! TAKE THEIR POSITION! FORTIFY OUR POSITION ON THE HILL! DESTROY THE ENEMY WIZARD! PROTECT OUR FORWARD COMMANDER! This allows you to minimize the size of the 'battlefield' the PCs need to deal with. It also allows for things to be more dramatic, aside from watching a kobold and a warrior pounding on each other at the far side of the battlefield.
ZenZ 11-09-04, 10:38 PM	I have always been a goob for figures. I loved the concept that 1 lead figure equaled a tough unit of ten fighters. I used to love Battle System for 1st and 2nd ed. I liked the idea of the PCs wading in and taking out dozens of foes in a few short rounds (ala Conan). In 1st ed. they even had card board cut out figures for you to use. I also seem to remeber a mathmatical system that was used in the "Known World" setting. No figures, just math. I don't think that this product has been that supported in d20. The new minature game has one figure = one figure. Hard to get epic.
fish_heads 11-10-04, 10:50 AM	In short. Keep the battle as background. Indeed. Work it the same as if the players were in a room that was in a house with fighting in all the other rooms. I know it sounds lame, but putting them in the middle of 3000 initiative rolls will suck for them and you. Like Mantel said, give them objectives, or just their own set of baddies to fight, and then you can predetermine how the rest of the battle will go before they even get their. Be sure to come up with a few possibilities to match their possible actions.
william_reinmar 11-10-04, 05:07 PM	in answer to the bump, i apologize as I was in a hurry and i could not answer but the post was already down by the bottom. i have looked into the battle mat and could not find one with a grid system that i was looking for. I like the suggestion of giving them specific assignments and will probably use that. On the fixxer note about the mass battle template i thaught that was to much bookkeeping and i dislike bookkeeping too much. but please dont yell at me, i like to consiter mytself very charitable on thses forums.