D&D 4E Running player commentary on PCat's 4E Campaign - Heroic tier (finished)

The_Warlock · Feb 25, 2009

KidCthulhu said:
Golly, there's a surprise!

At least he's consistent.

renau1g · Feb 25, 2009

So how has the party fared without a cleric? I am currently playing in a game (Spellgard from FR) where we have 2 defenders & 3 strikers. So far we've not lost anyone to unconsciousness, but last fight 3 of the 5 were brought to single digits, before some healing potions were used.

Aravis · Feb 25, 2009

renau1g said:
So how has the party fared without a cleric? I am currently playing in a game (Spellgard from FR) where we have 2 defenders & 3 strikers. So far we've not lost anyone to unconsciousness, but last fight 3 of the 5 were brought to single digits, before some healing potions were used.

I think we are faring just fine. We are probably spending more on healing potions (and we might be finding more in treasure) than would otherwise be the case. And, we certainly feel wiped at the end of some of these encounters, but is that a bad thing?

The plain fact of the matter is that it is within the power of the GM to calibrate the game to the makeup of the party. Admittedly, if everyone were a rogue, then the sort of calibrations needed might tend to lead down a path of sameness, but we are a fairly diverse party. It is certainly possible that over time PC will find that the lack of a cleric in the party is forcing him away from some really cool and fun thing he could do with us if we had a cleric. However, there are more cool and fun things lurking in PC's mind than the universe will allow time for him to enact, so I am not really worried.

Aravis

Joshua Randall · Feb 25, 2009

I wonder if any of the PCs are planning to multiclass into anything that grants healing ability? Or grants temp hp for that matter. E.g. multiclass into cleric, or multiclass into warlord via the feat that grants temp hp when an ally spends an action point.

A little in-combat healing (or temp hp) can go a long way towards preventing that "wiped out" feeling and conserving potions.

There are also some magic items at high-heroic that help a lot. Healer's sash, I'm looking at you.

It'll be interesting to see what PH2 offers, too.

Rel · Feb 25, 2009

Joshua Randall said:
I wonder if any of the PCs are planning to multiclass into anything that grants healing ability? Or grants temp hp for that matter. E.g. multiclass into cleric, or multiclass into warlord via the feat that grants temp hp when an ally spends an action point.

A little in-combat healing (or temp hp) can go a long way towards preventing that "wiped out" feeling and conserving potions.

There are also some magic items at high-heroic that help a lot. Healer's sash, I'm looking at you.

It'll be interesting to see what PH2 offers, too.

Well they DO have a Paladin.

P.S. Also try Dwarven Armor.

Blackjack · Feb 25, 2009

Aravis said:
I think we are faring just fine.

The plain fact of the matter is that it is within the power of the GM to calibrate the game to the makeup of the party.

Yeah, agreed -- I think we're doing fine, partially because of how Piratecat has been tailoring the adventures to the group. Healing potions, Paladin powers, and the house rules for the Heal skill have been covering for the time being. This is not to say there aren't times we miss not having a Cleric, but with 5 players, we were never going to have all of the classes anyway -- so there are also times I think we miss not having a Warlord, or a Warlock, etc.

Plane Sailing · Feb 25, 2009

davethegame said:
Quote from a game I was in recently:
Ranger: What gender are you?
Warforged: I have both male and female personalities installed.
Ranger: You're running Eunuchs?

One of the funniest lines I've heard so far this year! I hope the Ranger got bonus xps

Rel · Feb 25, 2009

KidCthulhu said:
Golly, there's a surprise!

You know, it's not nice picking on people with disabilities. Like perverts for example.

WisdomLikeSilence · Feb 26, 2009

Just dropping in to say how much I miss you all. I'm thoroughly enjoying Fajitas 4th ed campaign, but I still miss you.

It's also interesting how much difference the party composition makes. We're very deliberately balanced, with about 2 players per role. We don't do nearly the striker damage, but with two leaders (one of whom is a cleric focused on healing) we have plenty of healing. Several sessions in, I'd say about half the players still haven't used a second wind. Of course, we're also deliberately starting a bit slowly while we all get a feel for the system.