Challenging Individual PCs [Archive] - Wizards Community

Challenging Individual PCs [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
dArkmonk
01-17-05, 03:33 PM Anyone know of any good resources for challenging specific PCs? In my party I have mostly fighters, along with a cleric and rogue/sorcerer. Challenging the fighters is no biggie, but am now trying to figure in skills uses and any ways their feats might shine.

Not opposed to going out and buying more books, but would first be going online to find out what kind of free info is available.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. :mage:

.:: tom ::.
Tusz
01-17-05, 04:15 PM Cleric: Undead, or use of a cleric spell. Hallowing an unhallowed area to allow passage, or something, yeah.

Rogue/sorc: depends on his focus. If he's a socialite rogue, try sticking in a non-hostile, but non-cooperative NPC. Have one of the enemies they fight surrender. If said NPC is wounded in some way beyond HP damage, it's a challenge for the cleric, as well. Don't tell them what's wrong with him.

Sample: They come across a jail area in the prison. one of the cells is occupied. The man inside is not healthy (diseased, malnurished, and maybe ability drained if an appropriate creature is about), and doesn't trust the PCs. The lock is difficult to pick, so they have to go hunt down the key (search check). once open, the man asks for healing. Obviously, CLW doesn't work. Once they heal him, it's up to the rogue-sorcerer to talk the info the guy knows out of him. Maybe the guy heard some tactics discussed before the PCs burst in.
krichaiushii
01-17-05, 06:17 PM First off, consider an adventure wherein there is a finite amount of time to accomplish the goal (which might just be survival or escape). Since there is a time limit, the PCs don't have the option to rest up between encounters to regain spells or HP or ability scores.

Clerics can do more than just turn/rebuke undead with their turning ability. The examples I recall are from the ... PHB? ... and involve closing a gate to the lower planes and opening a door.

Take advantage of the high Knowledge (religion) your cleric likely has by incorporating ingame riddles or just historical clues that can greatly increase the PCs survivability. Or the storyline, in general. The same goes for any other knowledge.

The rogue sorcerer... what skills does he have that you want challenged? What spells does he have that might mitigate skill use?

You can incorporate the physical skills (balance, swim, jump, climb, escape artist, tumble) into regular battles by use of terrain that is not stable, flat ground. Social skills require noncombat situations. The other rogue skills, like disarming traps or picking locks can be made more interesting by applying the earlier mentioned time limit - normally done by the sound of guards closing in.

You might also take a look at all of the PCs assorted skills, spells, abilities, feats, and magic items, and build encounters that REQUIRE use of them. Some are easier to incorporate than others, but it can be done.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
dArkmonk 01-17-05, 03:33 PM	Anyone know of any good resources for challenging specific PCs? In my party I have mostly fighters, along with a cleric and rogue/sorcerer. Challenging the fighters is no biggie, but am now trying to figure in skills uses and any ways their feats might shine. Not opposed to going out and buying more books, but would first be going online to find out what kind of free info is available. Any help would be greatly appreciated. :mage: .:: tom ::.
Tusz 01-17-05, 04:15 PM	Cleric: Undead, or use of a cleric spell. Hallowing an unhallowed area to allow passage, or something, yeah. Rogue/sorc: depends on his focus. If he's a socialite rogue, try sticking in a non-hostile, but non-cooperative NPC. Have one of the enemies they fight surrender. If said NPC is wounded in some way beyond HP damage, it's a challenge for the cleric, as well. Don't tell them what's wrong with him. Sample: They come across a jail area in the prison. one of the cells is occupied. The man inside is not healthy (diseased, malnurished, and maybe ability drained if an appropriate creature is about), and doesn't trust the PCs. The lock is difficult to pick, so they have to go hunt down the key (search check). once open, the man asks for healing. Obviously, CLW doesn't work. Once they heal him, it's up to the rogue-sorcerer to talk the info the guy knows out of him. Maybe the guy heard some tactics discussed before the PCs burst in.
krichaiushii 01-17-05, 06:17 PM	First off, consider an adventure wherein there is a finite amount of time to accomplish the goal (which might just be survival or escape). Since there is a time limit, the PCs don't have the option to rest up between encounters to regain spells or HP or ability scores. Clerics can do more than just turn/rebuke undead with their turning ability. The examples I recall are from the ... PHB? ... and involve closing a gate to the lower planes and opening a door. Take advantage of the high Knowledge (religion) your cleric likely has by incorporating ingame riddles or just historical clues that can greatly increase the PCs survivability. Or the storyline, in general. The same goes for any other knowledge. The rogue sorcerer... what skills does he have that you want challenged? What spells does he have that might mitigate skill use? You can incorporate the physical skills (balance, swim, jump, climb, escape artist, tumble) into regular battles by use of terrain that is not stable, flat ground. Social skills require noncombat situations. The other rogue skills, like disarming traps or picking locks can be made more interesting by applying the earlier mentioned time limit - normally done by the sound of guards closing in. You might also take a look at all of the PCs assorted skills, spells, abilities, feats, and magic items, and build encounters that REQUIRE use of them. Some are easier to incorporate than others, but it can be done.