Annoying Game Questions You Want Answered

General questions, debates, and rants about RPGs

Moderator: Moderators

User avatar
Prak
Serious Badass
Posts: 17339
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:54 pm

Annoying Game Questions You Want Answered

Post by Prak »

Ok, so I'm working on this adventure with werewolf monks. I want the lead alpha to be able to basically dash around the battlefield and hit a bunch of people in one round, continuously moving. Using Tome Monk class, and published (not-tome) feats, is there a way for a Were Dire Wolf Monk2 to hit at least three people, on the run, in a round?
Cuz apparently I gotta break this down for you dense motherfuckers- I'm trans feminine nonbinary. My pronouns are they/them.
Winnah wrote:No, No. 'Prak' is actually a Thri Kreen impersonating a human and roleplaying himself as a D&D character. All hail our hidden insect overlords.
FrankTrollman wrote:In Soviet Russia, cosmic horror is the default state.

You should gain sanity for finding out that the problems of a region are because there are fucking monsters there.
Korwin
Duke
Posts: 2055
Joined: Fri Feb 13, 2009 6:49 am
Location: Linz / Austria

Post by Korwin »

I think there are some (or one?) desert wind maneuver that do what you want. Might need an higher level to pull off...

Edit: or Setting Sun?
Last edited by Korwin on Tue May 15, 2012 5:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Wrathzog
Knight-Baron
Posts: 605
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2011 5:57 am

Post by Wrathzog »

Desert Tempest
L6 Desert Wind Strike
Full Round Action
Move up to your speed. Each time you exit a square adjacent to an enemy, you may make a single melee attack against that foe. You cannot target a single enemy more than once with this maneuver. Your movement provokes as normal.

I recommend just giving it to your werewolf and the players can just deal with it.
PSY DUCK?
User avatar
Prak
Serious Badass
Posts: 17339
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:54 pm

Post by Prak »

Actually, I found that you can do it with Monk Fighting Styles, just taking advantage of the fact that people get AoOs against you when you move past them. So, that works. He moves by, people get AoOs, and his Fighting Style lets him counter immediately.
Cuz apparently I gotta break this down for you dense motherfuckers- I'm trans feminine nonbinary. My pronouns are they/them.
Winnah wrote:No, No. 'Prak' is actually a Thri Kreen impersonating a human and roleplaying himself as a D&D character. All hail our hidden insect overlords.
FrankTrollman wrote:In Soviet Russia, cosmic horror is the default state.

You should gain sanity for finding out that the problems of a region are because there are fucking monsters there.
User avatar
Wrathzog
Knight-Baron
Posts: 605
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2011 5:57 am

Post by Wrathzog »

I remember seeing that somewhere.
I was going to combine it with stunning fist for maximum hilarity.

-e-
I just had a thought. People are going to stop taking their AOO's probably the first time someone gets their shit slapped. Your plan is only going to work out for one round.
Last edited by Wrathzog on Tue May 15, 2012 6:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
PSY DUCK?
Koumei
Serious Badass
Posts: 13868
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:54 pm
Location: South Ausfailia

Post by Koumei »

It's a monster the players will fight. Exactly how many rounds do you think its lifespan is, anyway?
Count Arioch the 28th wrote:There is NOTHING better than lesbians. Lesbians make everything better.
User avatar
Prak
Serious Badass
Posts: 17339
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:54 pm

Post by Prak »

Actually, given that he's CR 6 fighting Lvl 4 characters... he'll be up a few rounds.
Cuz apparently I gotta break this down for you dense motherfuckers- I'm trans feminine nonbinary. My pronouns are they/them.
Winnah wrote:No, No. 'Prak' is actually a Thri Kreen impersonating a human and roleplaying himself as a D&D character. All hail our hidden insect overlords.
FrankTrollman wrote:In Soviet Russia, cosmic horror is the default state.

You should gain sanity for finding out that the problems of a region are because there are fucking monsters there.
echoVanguard
Knight-Baron
Posts: 738
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 6:35 pm

Post by echoVanguard »

The Rapid Blitz feat from PHB2 also grants this capability, but it sounds like it's at the wrong CR for what you're trying to do.

echo
User avatar
Prak
Serious Badass
Posts: 17339
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:54 pm

Post by Prak »

Yeah, that's pretty much what I want, but also way to high a level. May make a DM Fudge call. Or just change the prereqs and let players know...
Cuz apparently I gotta break this down for you dense motherfuckers- I'm trans feminine nonbinary. My pronouns are they/them.
Winnah wrote:No, No. 'Prak' is actually a Thri Kreen impersonating a human and roleplaying himself as a D&D character. All hail our hidden insect overlords.
FrankTrollman wrote:In Soviet Russia, cosmic horror is the default state.

You should gain sanity for finding out that the problems of a region are because there are fucking monsters there.
echoVanguard
Knight-Baron
Posts: 738
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 6:35 pm

Post by echoVanguard »

One of the things that continually frustrated me when first starting out on our system design was how most systems seem terrified of letting a single unit attack multiple other units in melee during a single action. I have never been able to figure out why this is so, particularly when it's exactly the type of ability which would make battles against a "boss" enemy interesting and challenging. Furthermore, it's an ability players can enjoy and use in interesting tactical ways. Powers like Murderous Cleave and Rapid Blitz should be usable from starting levels in my opinion.

Needless to say, in our system, abilities like these are available at level 1.

echo
User avatar
Prak
Serious Badass
Posts: 17339
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:54 pm

Post by Prak »

Interesting. What was the fallout? Were there really any problems?
Cuz apparently I gotta break this down for you dense motherfuckers- I'm trans feminine nonbinary. My pronouns are they/them.
Winnah wrote:No, No. 'Prak' is actually a Thri Kreen impersonating a human and roleplaying himself as a D&D character. All hail our hidden insect overlords.
FrankTrollman wrote:In Soviet Russia, cosmic horror is the default state.

You should gain sanity for finding out that the problems of a region are because there are fucking monsters there.
Blicero
Duke
Posts: 1131
Joined: Thu May 07, 2009 12:07 am

Post by Blicero »

echoVanguard wrote:One of the things that continually frustrated me when first starting out on our system design was how most systems seem terrified of letting a single unit attack multiple other units in melee during a single action. I have never been able to figure out why this is so, particularly when it's exactly the type of ability which would make battles against a "boss" enemy interesting and challenging. Furthermore, it's an ability players can enjoy and use in interesting tactical ways. Powers like Murderous Cleave and Rapid Blitz should be usable from starting levels in my opinion.

Needless to say, in our system, abilities like these are available at level 1.

echo
You notice this in vidjagames too. In Dragon Age: Origins, wizards get AoEs basically from the getgo. But warriors don't get a "whirlwind" attack ability until the very last tier of one of their talent trees. It's a weird setup that can probably be traced to subconscious realism bullshit.

But what's even odder is that fiction and movies and (nonRPG) games are totally full of dudes smiting many other dudes at the same time. I don't really get it.
Out beyond the hull, mucoid strings of non-baryonic matter streamed past like Christ's blood in the firmament.
User avatar
Aryxbez
Duke
Posts: 1036
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2010 9:41 pm

Post by Aryxbez »

Blicero wrote:
You notice this in vidjagames too. In Dragon Age: Origins, wizards get AoEs basically from the getgo. But warriors don't get a "whirlwind" attack ability until the very last tier of one of their talent trees. It's a weird setup that can probably be traced to subconscious realism bullshit.

But what's even odder is that fiction and movies and (nonRPG) games are totally full of dudes smiting many other dudes at the same time. I don't really get it.
Indeed, Lord of the Rings even has characters cleaving through dozens of enemies, like they all got Great cleave for free, and maybe some Supreme Cleave for good measure.

Even in Skyrim, they tend to hold back on area effects, even the martial type character only gets such an attack for two handed weapon skill, and only when it's at rating 70. So you're probably looking at 50 points to go till then, to even slightly have an ability that can do an area attack. If it's to any consolation, least Dynasty/Samurai-Warrior games have their characters chopping through hundreds of soldiers.
What I find wrong w/ 4th edition: "I want to stab dragons the size of a small keep with skin like supple adamantine and command over time and space to death with my longsword in head to head combat, but I want to be totally within realistic capabilities of a real human being!" --Caedrus mocking 4rries

"the thing about being Mister Cavern [DM], you don't blame players for how they play. That's like blaming the weather. Weather just is. You adapt to it. -Ancient History
echoVanguard
Knight-Baron
Posts: 738
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 6:35 pm

Post by echoVanguard »

Prak_Anima wrote:Interesting. What was the fallout? Were there really any problems?
In terms of resultant behavior, it seems to lessen the amount of focus-fire being thrown around (since players can up their total DPS by spreading the damage), which we count as a good thing. We haven't hit upon anything we would consider an actual problem in our internal playtests so far, but those are pretty limited. We're hoping that public playtesting will shake out the assuredly numerous things we're missing.

echo
User avatar
Prak
Serious Badass
Posts: 17339
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:54 pm

Post by Prak »

In tome, are the changes to Constructs, and addition of the Unliving subtype that make it possible to crit constructs and undead intended to allow sneak attacks as well, or are Golem Strike and Grave Strike still valid?
Cuz apparently I gotta break this down for you dense motherfuckers- I'm trans feminine nonbinary. My pronouns are they/them.
Winnah wrote:No, No. 'Prak' is actually a Thri Kreen impersonating a human and roleplaying himself as a D&D character. All hail our hidden insect overlords.
FrankTrollman wrote:In Soviet Russia, cosmic horror is the default state.

You should gain sanity for finding out that the problems of a region are because there are fucking monsters there.
User avatar
Ted the Flayer
Knight-Baron
Posts: 846
Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2012 3:24 pm

Post by Ted the Flayer »

One of the players in my game has asked me this, and I can't find it. Is there a spell that grants the Ghost touch ability to a weapon, and what is it called?
Prak Anima wrote:Um, Frank, I believe you're missing the fact that the game is glorified spank material/foreplay.
Frank Trollman wrote:I don't think that is any excuse for a game to have bad mechanics.
User avatar
Prak
Serious Badass
Posts: 17339
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:54 pm

Post by Prak »

Ghost Touch Weapon (or Armour). Cleric 4 ( or Cleric 2, Wizard Sorcerer 2), Libris Mortis.
Cuz apparently I gotta break this down for you dense motherfuckers- I'm trans feminine nonbinary. My pronouns are they/them.
Winnah wrote:No, No. 'Prak' is actually a Thri Kreen impersonating a human and roleplaying himself as a D&D character. All hail our hidden insect overlords.
FrankTrollman wrote:In Soviet Russia, cosmic horror is the default state.

You should gain sanity for finding out that the problems of a region are because there are fucking monsters there.
User avatar
Ted the Flayer
Knight-Baron
Posts: 846
Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2012 3:24 pm

Post by Ted the Flayer »

Ah, thanks for the swift reply. I will ensure your death is quick and painless. (Note: That is me trying to make a joke and should not be interpreted as a threat)
Last edited by Ted the Flayer on Wed May 23, 2012 5:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
Prak Anima wrote:Um, Frank, I believe you're missing the fact that the game is glorified spank material/foreplay.
Frank Trollman wrote:I don't think that is any excuse for a game to have bad mechanics.
User avatar
Ted the Flayer
Knight-Baron
Posts: 846
Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2012 3:24 pm

Post by Ted the Flayer »

Also, something I want to ask regarding a game I'm running now.

A player in my game has given a minor criticism about how I ran a hydra. Basically, the hydra grabbed one of the players, then tried swimming off to its lair to eat said PC. The player stated that it would have done more damage just by full attacking every round. I contend that it was a neutrally aligned predator of animal intelligence. It didn't hate the PCs any more than a shark hates a tuna; it was hungry and wanted a snack. Also, it figured (incorrectly) that its fast healing ability would allow it to get away from the PC's before dying (the spellcasters in the party saw to it that didn't happen).
Prak Anima wrote:Um, Frank, I believe you're missing the fact that the game is glorified spank material/foreplay.
Frank Trollman wrote:I don't think that is any excuse for a game to have bad mechanics.
User avatar
Prak
Serious Badass
Posts: 17339
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:54 pm

Post by Prak »

I think that's perfectly legitimate. I would only tell my player that I'll redo it, and have the hydra grab everyone (up to number of heads) and swim away.
Cuz apparently I gotta break this down for you dense motherfuckers- I'm trans feminine nonbinary. My pronouns are they/them.
Winnah wrote:No, No. 'Prak' is actually a Thri Kreen impersonating a human and roleplaying himself as a D&D character. All hail our hidden insect overlords.
FrankTrollman wrote:In Soviet Russia, cosmic horror is the default state.

You should gain sanity for finding out that the problems of a region are because there are fucking monsters there.
...You Lost Me
Duke
Posts: 1854
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2011 5:21 am

Post by ...You Lost Me »

A hydra cares about surviving, not "dealing more damage". If it can isolate one PC, take it away, eat it, and then maybe come back for more metal-wrapped snacks, it will do that instead of full-attacking every round until a group of 3-6 heroes stabs it to death.
DSMatticus wrote:Again, look at this fucking map you moron. Take your finger and trace each country's coast, then trace its claim line. Even you - and I say that as someone who could not think less of your intelligence - should be able to tell that one of these things is not like the other.
Kaelik wrote:I invented saying mean things about Tussock.
User avatar
Wrathzog
Knight-Baron
Posts: 605
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2011 5:57 am

Post by Wrathzog »

Man, if you have a player that wants a Hydra to rip him apart, I say that you indulge him.
PSY DUCK?
fectin
Prince
Posts: 3760
Joined: Mon Feb 01, 2010 1:54 am

Post by fectin »

I think the player was probably more unhappy about the hydra running to where he couldn't hit it. Just a guess.
Vebyast wrote:Here's a fun target for Major Creation: hydrazine. One casting every six seconds at CL9 gives you a bit more than 40 liters per second, which is comparable to the flow rates of some small, but serious, rocket engines. Six items running at full blast through a well-engineered engine will put you, and something like 50 tons of cargo, into space. Alternatively, if you thrust sideways, you will briefly be a fireball screaming across the sky at mach 14 before you melt from atmospheric friction.
TheFlatline
Prince
Posts: 2606
Joined: Fri Apr 30, 2010 11:43 pm

Post by TheFlatline »

...You Lost Me wrote:A hydra cares about surviving, not "dealing more damage". If it can isolate one PC, take it away, eat it, and then maybe come back for more metal-wrapped snacks, it will do that instead of full-attacking every round until a group of 3-6 heroes stabs it to death.
I'm going to say *most* monsters & NPCs care about survival more than "dealing more damage".

Yeah sure a wild animal that's pissed off will probably fight to the death. But Bob the Orc probably has better plans than getting stabbed to death by the wandering hobos. Unless they kick the door in and he has nowhere to run, or he and his buddies feel reasonably sure that they'll win an encounter, they probably won't go out of their way to interact with the PCs.

One of the biggest changes in my tenure as MC of various games was to institute the "save my own sweet ass" rule, whereby most NPCs *want* to live.
Voss
Prince
Posts: 3912
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:54 pm

Post by Voss »

Generally, wild animals don't want to fight at all. Random animal attacks are one of the stupidest fantasy tropes around. Barring pretty rare and bad situations, predators don't get into fights. They spook the prey animals and take opportunity kills (the slow calf trips or gets separated from the herd)

Usually (and somewhat paradoxically) a creature has to be intelligent in order to be dumb enough to stick around and fight to the death. A wild animal that is pissed off will try to drive whatever pissed it off *away*. That isn't to say it can't kill, but the primary thing is it wants the threat gone, and it doesn't really care how that happens.
Post Reply