BBEG Soliloquy and Recharges - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

BBEG Soliloquy and Recharges

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
stormonu
May 27, 2008 0:34:36 It would be nice if 4E's already thought of this, but if it hasn't, this is the 1st homebrew rule I'm thinking of incorporating into my D&D game.

There's always been the problem in the game of PCs wanting to attack the miniboss or BBEG before he can give his speech. I'm contemplating inserting a mechanic that allows PCs to recharge their abilities and powers if they allow the BBEG to perform this stunt - to give the PCs a reason to let the BBEG spill his guts before attacking.

I'm thinking for the miniboss allowing all encounter powers to recharge and one healing surge to be spent before combat begins. With the BBEG, encounter and dailies recharge and any number of healing surges can be spent. Perhaps granting PCs an action point as well.

Obviously, this has to be tied to the "grand appearance" and a brief exchange between the PCs and the bad guys. I'm thinking that perhaps part of the process is that each PC must somehow interact with the bad guy - an acknowledgement, threat, insult, question or other action by the PC directed at the BBEG to both indicate their involvement and to activate the recharge of abilities. This might incorporate some sort of skill challenge process to activate.

In any regard, this is just the kernel of the idea. When the full rules show up, I'll come back to this and flesh it out some more. I'm curious though, if others think this would be a good addition to the game - and maybe get a designer's eye or two looking at this if its not already in 4E.
#2
dwolf
May 27, 2008 0:43:27 You shouldn't let the daily abilities recharge for something like this. I could very well see getting time for a healing surge, maybe even getting back their second wind - due to the adrenalin boost of having to to face the final fight.

A more reasonable bonus would be to just give the PC's that interact with the BBEG's soliloquy an additional action point to spend over and above whatever they have accumilated already. After all if the big speech isn't a game milestone, what is?
#3
snarky_monkey
May 27, 2008 1:01:13 I think this isn't a bad idea, but I would limit it to being equal to a short rest, as described in the quick start rules. I would also go with Dwolf and give them an action point each as well, to reflect their new insight on the BBEG's plans and any openings they might of perceived about the situation.
#4
slivvy_gaidin
May 27, 2008 5:09:28 When you said recharge, though thought of the "recharge" powers (where you get the power back if you roll a 4, 5, 6, etc), and thought "yes. it would be a good opportunity for the BBEG to recharge himself, all while under the guise of a mere speech.

obviously you were talking about something different

Jokes about the elf interrupting the bandit king's speech by shooting him in the neck ARE funny, but in the end it really just comes down to "guys- shut up and listen for 2 seconds".

I of course don't actually bend any rules to get them to this situation - if the elf gets a special skill that lets him detect ambushes, then I'm not going to negate that and just force it on them, but if they get to the situation properly and I've got a speech planned, then they had better be prepared to listen.
#5
snarky_monkey
May 27, 2008 15:23:53 I'm lucky to be playing with a group at the moment that actually likes the monologue concept, so takes their time.

Course one player in my last group brings this to mind.

George Bush - Who are you!?
Abe Lincoln - I am Abraham Lincoln. I, who freed the slaves and...
George Bush - Boring...Lets fight!

I don't think any explanation is needed. :D
#6
AaronOfBarbaria
May 29, 2008 18:03:41 I like it!

Letting the villain monologue when you don't "have to" = short rest.

My way of dealing with it though is that villains don't monologue while the PCs could interrupt them, unless the intent of the scene is to interrupt.

My villains monologue in the heroes' presence when they have the heroes incapacitated/imprisoned in some way, or have an appropriately placed meat-shield or hostage in a death trap to sway the hero's choices.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 stormonu May 27, 2008 0:34:36	It would be nice if 4E's already thought of this, but if it hasn't, this is the 1st homebrew rule I'm thinking of incorporating into my D&D game. There's always been the problem in the game of PCs wanting to attack the miniboss or BBEG before he can give his speech. I'm contemplating inserting a mechanic that allows PCs to recharge their abilities and powers if they allow the BBEG to perform this stunt - to give the PCs a reason to let the BBEG spill his guts before attacking. I'm thinking for the miniboss allowing all encounter powers to recharge and one healing surge to be spent before combat begins. With the BBEG, encounter and dailies recharge and any number of healing surges can be spent. Perhaps granting PCs an action point as well. Obviously, this has to be tied to the "grand appearance" and a brief exchange between the PCs and the bad guys. I'm thinking that perhaps part of the process is that each PC must somehow interact with the bad guy - an acknowledgement, threat, insult, question or other action by the PC directed at the BBEG to both indicate their involvement and to activate the recharge of abilities. This might incorporate some sort of skill challenge process to activate. In any regard, this is just the kernel of the idea. When the full rules show up, I'll come back to this and flesh it out some more. I'm curious though, if others think this would be a good addition to the game - and maybe get a designer's eye or two looking at this if its not already in 4E.
#2 dwolf May 27, 2008 0:43:27	You shouldn't let the daily abilities recharge for something like this. I could very well see getting time for a healing surge, maybe even getting back their second wind - due to the adrenalin boost of having to to face the final fight. A more reasonable bonus would be to just give the PC's that interact with the BBEG's soliloquy an additional action point to spend over and above whatever they have accumilated already. After all if the big speech isn't a game milestone, what is?
#3 snarky_monkey May 27, 2008 1:01:13	I think this isn't a bad idea, but I would limit it to being equal to a short rest, as described in the quick start rules. I would also go with Dwolf and give them an action point each as well, to reflect their new insight on the BBEG's plans and any openings they might of perceived about the situation.
#4 slivvy_gaidin May 27, 2008 5:09:28	When you said recharge, though thought of the "recharge" powers (where you get the power back if you roll a 4, 5, 6, etc), and thought "yes. it would be a good opportunity for the BBEG to recharge himself, all while under the guise of a mere speech. obviously you were talking about something different Jokes about the elf interrupting the bandit king's speech by shooting him in the neck ARE funny, but in the end it really just comes down to "guys- shut up and listen for 2 seconds". I of course don't actually bend any rules to get them to this situation - if the elf gets a special skill that lets him detect ambushes, then I'm not going to negate that and just force it on them, but if they get to the situation properly and I've got a speech planned, then they had better be prepared to listen.
#5 snarky_monkey May 27, 2008 15:23:53	I'm lucky to be playing with a group at the moment that actually likes the monologue concept, so takes their time. Course one player in my last group brings this to mind. George Bush - Who are you!? Abe Lincoln - I am Abraham Lincoln. I, who freed the slaves and... George Bush - Boring...Lets fight! I don't think any explanation is needed. :D
#6 AaronOfBarbaria May 29, 2008 18:03:41	I like it! Letting the villain monologue when you don't "have to" = short rest. My way of dealing with it though is that villains don't monologue while the PCs could interrupt them, unless the intent of the scene is to interrupt. My villains monologue in the heroes' presence when they have the heroes incapacitated/imprisoned in some way, or have an appropriately placed meat-shield or hostage in a death trap to sway the hero's choices.