Companion Characters - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Companion Characters

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
areola
Dec 25, 2009 13:25:58 Hi there, inspired by another thread here, I am planning to introduce my players to 4e using this rules for creating characters and slowly moving up in complexity. I was toying with the idea of using NPC rules but they are still as detailed and might as well use the full PC rules.

The question is, how do I go about with encounters? Do I lower down monster's level a two since the companion rules are obviously producing weaker PCs. Also, since players have to choose between what roles they want (defender, leader etc) I am thinking that whatever powers they choose can be from that role category and neglecting power source. Now, fluff isn't the problem. Mostly concern about crunch here, but then again PCs are limited by one power each so I don't think they are THAT powerful still. This is almost like having a mini hybrid rule. So a defender PC can take powers from fighter, swordmage, paladin and warden. The powers chosen can be refluffed so that all the powers (atwill/encounter/daily/util) shares a theme.

Thoughts?
#2
rampant
Dec 25, 2009 17:52:31 I'm not sure really. On the one hand the simplified creation seems like a perfect way to practice, on the other hand by taking out feats, class features, and such you might end up doing your players a disservice.

What you could try to do is start out with basic companion/Npc rules, and gradually as the players master that you can introduce more advanced concepts like feats, and normal attack rolls calculations.

As for choosing from the role instead of the class I'd advise against it, I like the classes to have defined identities and that might muddled them up a bit in your players' heads, but that's just my opinion.
#3
guang
Dec 28, 2009 6:42:17 I'd start out with the adventure in the back of the DMG1. 1st level isn't all that complicated, and if you use only PHB1 races and classes to start with, then that might help too.
#4
DanTracker
Dec 29, 2009 7:29:47 why not just give them PC rules? learning PC rules is not much difficulty for new players. i even had a newb become a ruleslawyer faster than his buddy that taught him to play. but the funniest thing was that he has no books from whihc to learn. he just caught on to everyhting during the game sessions and stored it away in his brain somewhere.
#5
Chimerasame
Dec 30, 2009 20:35:55 I agree; level 1 PC rules aren't too hard. I've seen people get frustrated trying to jump into 4e with a higher-level character (say, 10th or so), but starting at 1st or 2nd is pretty simple.
#6
areola
Jan 01, 2010 17:11:06 I appreciate the advice of starting with level 1 but I did that already and it's still alot of bookeeping for these guys. They love rules light games and they have expressed an interest in playing 4e again using the companion character rules.

Am I right by thinking a standard PC equals a standard monster, so a companion equals to half a standard monster (ie 2 companion characters = 1 standard)?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 areola Dec 25, 2009 13:25:58	Hi there, inspired by another thread here, I am planning to introduce my players to 4e using this rules for creating characters and slowly moving up in complexity. I was toying with the idea of using NPC rules but they are still as detailed and might as well use the full PC rules. The question is, how do I go about with encounters? Do I lower down monster's level a two since the companion rules are obviously producing weaker PCs. Also, since players have to choose between what roles they want (defender, leader etc) I am thinking that whatever powers they choose can be from that role category and neglecting power source. Now, fluff isn't the problem. Mostly concern about crunch here, but then again PCs are limited by one power each so I don't think they are THAT powerful still. This is almost like having a mini hybrid rule. So a defender PC can take powers from fighter, swordmage, paladin and warden. The powers chosen can be refluffed so that all the powers (atwill/encounter/daily/util) shares a theme. Thoughts?
#2 rampant Dec 25, 2009 17:52:31	I'm not sure really. On the one hand the simplified creation seems like a perfect way to practice, on the other hand by taking out feats, class features, and such you might end up doing your players a disservice. What you could try to do is start out with basic companion/Npc rules, and gradually as the players master that you can introduce more advanced concepts like feats, and normal attack rolls calculations. As for choosing from the role instead of the class I'd advise against it, I like the classes to have defined identities and that might muddled them up a bit in your players' heads, but that's just my opinion.
#3 guang Dec 28, 2009 6:42:17	I'd start out with the adventure in the back of the DMG1. 1st level isn't all that complicated, and if you use only PHB1 races and classes to start with, then that might help too.
#4 DanTracker Dec 29, 2009 7:29:47	why not just give them PC rules? learning PC rules is not much difficulty for new players. i even had a newb become a ruleslawyer faster than his buddy that taught him to play. but the funniest thing was that he has no books from whihc to learn. he just caught on to everyhting during the game sessions and stored it away in his brain somewhere.
#5 Chimerasame Dec 30, 2009 20:35:55	I agree; level 1 PC rules aren't too hard. I've seen people get frustrated trying to jump into 4e with a higher-level character (say, 10th or so), but starting at 1st or 2nd is pretty simple.
#6 areola Jan 01, 2010 17:11:06	I appreciate the advice of starting with level 1 but I did that already and it's still alot of bookeeping for these guys. They love rules light games and they have expressed an interest in playing 4e again using the companion character rules. Am I right by thinking a standard PC equals a standard monster, so a companion equals to half a standard monster (ie 2 companion characters = 1 standard)?