Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 mhbjarkistef Feb 14, 2012 0:41:37	This thread reminded my of a problem that I have in a game I am currently DM-ing. Through a great combination of natural 1s and high rolls, last session our Swordmage believed the whole group was possessed and trying to trick him. He ended up teleporting behind my Ranger (yes, I DM and play a ranger.) and with his blade touching my throat he threatened to kill me. As a DM I knew this was the point where I had to step in and stop this crazyness, but then my ranger got an idea. Koriat the ranger new of Shant the Swordmage's background as a noble. I challenged him to a duel, knowing he could no refuse. I told him that we would have our duel after this quest, and with that calming the swordmage down and allowing the grouð to continue on his quest (luckily the player saw that things were getting out of hand and rolled with my idea). Now, I did not realize that this was a problem, but how am I going to set up a duel between a ranger and a swordmage, that is satisfying for both players, interesting roleplay-wise and interesting for the other players to watch? Also, I am an Hunter Ranger being forced into a Melee Duel, where I cannot use my awesome magical bow, and note that this Swordmage does not have a striker feature. How do I make this balanced and fun, and in the spirit of "May the better fighter win"?
#2 praedoran Feb 14, 2012 8:58:36	PC vs PC combat should always be handled with a Weakened Status on both sides and/or a doubled hit point total (otherwise they would probably end in a single turn for optimized strikers).  Alternatively, you could run it where healing surges are freely spent on both sides until one runs out (to lengthen the fight). I also just posted a Skill Gambit system in this forum that can run alongside actual combat to make for a lot more narrative fights.  Haven't detailed out that section yet, but rolling on the gambit would only take a move action each round, the player's other actions being used for direct ombat purposes. EDIT: I just updated a sample combat of a Gambit duel.  Turned out great.