Elite PCs: More intense battles? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Elite PCs: More intense battles?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Xeviat-DM
May 19, 2009 14:01:21 Would it be possible to give PCs statistics similar to elite monsters? Double their HP, give them some save bonuses, and maybe give them two turns (one on initiative, another on initiative -10)? It would allow for larger fights, more intense abilities, and possibly smaller groups (a group of 2 or 3 could handle what a group of 4 or 6 handled).

I think this could be interesting for a short game. Many movies have smaller groups of main characters, or even just one main character (and thus give them solo stats).

What do you think?
#2
Seeker95
May 19, 2009 14:19:58 Although I have not playtested it, it seems to me that the only change this would make is that the PCs would be able to go more encounters without needing to rest. As long as they were willing to make the second or third or fourth (etc.) be conducted with at-wills only.

I suspect the only thing it would change is remove (or at the very lest reduce) the number of times an encounter has at least one PC fall down. Fun for an encounter or two, maybe. But it seems like it would be less fun than a video game on cheat mode.
#3
Xeviat-DM
May 19, 2009 17:05:09
Although I have not playtested it, it seems to me that the only change this would make is that the PCs would be able to go more encounters without needing to rest. As long as they were willing to make the second or third or fourth (etc.) be conducted with at-wills only.

I suspect the only thing it would change is remove (or at the very lest reduce) the number of times an encounter has at least one PC fall down. Fun for an encounter or two, maybe. But it seems like it would be less fun than a video game on cheat mode.

Well, a typical template involves making an encounter into an at-will and giving more actions. If given recharges on encounter abilities, they would be able to overcome larger fights, which is the intention. 5 PCs could take on 10 enemies, or even as many as 40 minions.
#4
riddling-reaver
May 19, 2009 17:28:02 Its a good method for running a 1 PC/1 DM game. This way a single player can take on an adventure designed for a full party with minimal modification.
#5
gadren
May 25, 2009 19:55:38 I've actually run several games with 1 or two players, and have tried several different methods, including what you have here.

However, I found that it just wasn't as fun for the players.
What has worked for me is to give the player a free healer ability (usually the warlord's inspiring word makes the most sense), and/or a free power that lets the PC spend a healing surge as an immediate reaction if reduced below 0 hp, and reduce what you throw at them.

For example, in one game my solo player is playing a Dwarven invoker|cleric. In the first town (which was under attack), the priest blessed him in the name of Moradin, teaching him the power "Refire the Forge", which allowed him to spend a healing surge as an immediate reaction if reduced to 0 hp, three times per day. The encounters I throw at him usually have about 1/4 or 1/3 the typical xp budget. That game is actually going really well.
#6
evilkobra
May 26, 2009 8:53:51 Whatever works for you, of course, but I think you'd achieve pretty much the same effect (yet save substantial amounts of bookkeeping) by cutting down on enemy HP or even minionifying them.

Or, even more simply, use somewhat lower-level enemies? The HP balance itself won't change that much, but the to-hit odds improve for the PC and decrease for the enemies, which is perfect for that 'action hero' feel.

We ran Pyramid of Shadows pretty much as-written with a 2-PC party (fighter+cleric). We started at level 10 instead of 7, and it was fun and challenging.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Xeviat-DM May 19, 2009 14:01:21	Would it be possible to give PCs statistics similar to elite monsters? Double their HP, give them some save bonuses, and maybe give them two turns (one on initiative, another on initiative -10)? It would allow for larger fights, more intense abilities, and possibly smaller groups (a group of 2 or 3 could handle what a group of 4 or 6 handled). I think this could be interesting for a short game. Many movies have smaller groups of main characters, or even just one main character (and thus give them solo stats). What do you think?
#2 Seeker95 May 19, 2009 14:19:58	Although I have not playtested it, it seems to me that the only change this would make is that the PCs would be able to go more encounters without needing to rest. As long as they were willing to make the second or third or fourth (etc.) be conducted with at-wills only. I suspect the only thing it would change is remove (or at the very lest reduce) the number of times an encounter has at least one PC fall down. Fun for an encounter or two, maybe. But it seems like it would be less fun than a video game on cheat mode.
#3 Xeviat-DM May 19, 2009 17:05:09	Although I have not playtested it, it seems to me that the only change this would make is that the PCs would be able to go more encounters without needing to rest. As long as they were willing to make the second or third or fourth (etc.) be conducted with at-wills only. I suspect the only thing it would change is remove (or at the very lest reduce) the number of times an encounter has at least one PC fall down. Fun for an encounter or two, maybe. But it seems like it would be less fun than a video game on cheat mode. Well, a typical template involves making an encounter into an at-will and giving more actions. If given recharges on encounter abilities, they would be able to overcome larger fights, which is the intention. 5 PCs could take on 10 enemies, or even as many as 40 minions.
#4 riddling-reaver May 19, 2009 17:28:02	Its a good method for running a 1 PC/1 DM game. This way a single player can take on an adventure designed for a full party with minimal modification.
#5 gadren May 25, 2009 19:55:38	I've actually run several games with 1 or two players, and have tried several different methods, including what you have here. However, I found that it just wasn't as fun for the players. What has worked for me is to give the player a free healer ability (usually the warlord's inspiring word makes the most sense), and/or a free power that lets the PC spend a healing surge as an immediate reaction if reduced below 0 hp, and reduce what you throw at them. For example, in one game my solo player is playing a Dwarven invoker\|cleric. In the first town (which was under attack), the priest blessed him in the name of Moradin, teaching him the power "Refire the Forge", which allowed him to spend a healing surge as an immediate reaction if reduced to 0 hp, three times per day. The encounters I throw at him usually have about 1/4 or 1/3 the typical xp budget. That game is actually going really well.
#6 evilkobra May 26, 2009 8:53:51	Whatever works for you, of course, but I think you'd achieve pretty much the same effect (yet save substantial amounts of bookkeeping) by cutting down on enemy HP or even minionifying them. Or, even more simply, use somewhat lower-level enemies? The HP balance itself won't change that much, but the to-hit odds improve for the PC and decrease for the enemies, which is perfect for that 'action hero' feel. We ran Pyramid of Shadows pretty much as-written with a 2-PC party (fighter+cleric). We started at level 10 instead of 7, and it was fun and challenging.