Holy Bovine
First Post
That is a great skill challenge! I am using this in my next game. Thank you and please enjoy some XP!!
The problem I see coming from using a skill challenge is that you have the DM dictating to the players how a particular conflict will be resolved. In effect, staging a "scene" that presupposes how the action happens. This represents the vast majority of what is wrong with roleplaying games these days.
Whatever happened to presenting challenges and letting the players decide how they will be faced. Once the stage is set and there is a potential conflict, taking place in a bar then there may or may not be a bar fight as a result.
Telling the PC's " OK its barfight time, you need 5 successes before three failures to avoid being knocked out." is pretty much deciding thier course of action for them.
Whenever there is a situation that the DM envisions happening and events are rigged so that the situation HAS TO HAPPEN, we are on the choo choo train even if it is a short commuter trip.
If all they wanted to do was run away I would alter the skill challenge so they try and get out of the bar. They still might get attacked and - possibly - knocked unconscious though if they fail enough. I dont see how having these mechanics is forcing - or railroading - the players.
Having the mechanics isn't. Forcing the players to use them in a confrontation would be.
Yeah, based on the context of the OP, I assumed he wanted some ideas for what would happen if a bar fight broke out. Once the PC's decide to slug it out, using the skill challenge rules is no more railroady than using the combat rules.
It depends on presentation. If the option is limited to the skill challenge if the PC's decide to fight then its forced. If the PC's have the option of normal combat also (even though the consequences may be dire) then it isn't.
We want to fight them, not barfight them should be an option.