Comments on: Giving Monsters as Many Hit Points as the Plot Needs

By: Bevier

Bevier — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:06:13 +0000

I like the use of the cover art from “The Ruby Knight” by the late David Eddings. That particular piece got me interested in the series!

By: Neuroglyph

Neuroglyph — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:28:00 +0000

I agree with Swordgleam – haven’t experienced the “grind issue” either, but I hear alot about it on various boards I read. The idea of lowering the HPs is certainly one way of handling it. Another that I have heard alot of success with is to keep the number of equal level and Level+N mobs to a minimum – I use alot of minions and Level-n mobs in encounters and they seem to be fun and still challenging, mainly because I try not to be as cagey as possible as to which mobs are minions.
.-= Neuroglyph´s last blog ..News in Review for Dec 7 to Dec 13 2009 =-.

By: Anders Hällzon

Anders Hällzon — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:50:11 +0000

I don’t reduce HP per se, yet, but I find myself considering how the last monster standing is going to flee/surrender. Not applicable to solo fights, obviously.

By: Hymn Collections For The Week of 12/7 « The Spirits of Eden

Hymn Collections For The Week of 12/7 « The Spirits of Eden — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:32:55 +0000

[...] Monkey talks about Giving Monsters As Many HPs As The Plot Needs. I’m in the camp that likes to tweak the mathematics of the game. I have done so for my [...]

By: Wyatt

Wyatt — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:03:01 +0000

I have managed to stave off grind by changing the monster maths so that Monster HP's are equal to the PC's HPs (using the equations for a Fighter, Rogue and Wizard to serve as high, medium and low) and reducing their defenses by 1 or 2 points, while increasing their static damage by 2 or 3 points or so. This makes monsters slightly easier to hit, monsters that consistently hit harder (2-3 extra points of damage add up when monsters double attack or area attack and so on, which mine tend to do) and monsters which last a shorter amount of time on the battlefield. .-= Wyatt´s last blog ..Obsession With Optimal Capacity =-.

By: Rook

Rook — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:51:58 +0000

Hell yes I do! I’ve heard this debate many times before and I’m in the camp that it isn’t “cheating”, you are the referee (DM) after all, so you can’t really cheat. The rules and game mechanics are there to give the players an even playing field in regards to each other and the NPCs, usually. If the DM ignores the rules from time to time, for the good of the game play and to keep things interesting and fun, then I’m all for it.

By: Anarkeith

Anarkeith — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:54:52 +0000

I’m experimenting with more minions. Your secret passage scenario made me think of another way to add drama: have a monster/npc snag an item of value from the room or party and escape through the secret door. Now you’ve spiced up the action with a chase. Adding an objective (a hostage, or hazard to avoid–like spreading flames) will often create a sense of urgency that motivates players to get through or even avoid combat.

By: Swordgleam

Swordgleam — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:46:55 +0000

I don’t do this, but then, I’ve never had encounters degenerate into the grind that so many people seem to have trouble with (especially in 4e). My personal theory for this is that it has less to do with my brilliant DMing and more to do with my players’ hilarious incompetence keeping the fight interesting.