n00bish questions regarding creating a campaign

[Castellanox7]

Afternoon all!

I've got a few stupid questions regarding creating a campaign, and I'm sorry if these are reposts; feel free to virtually smack me upside the head and link me to other posts.

Background: I've decided that it'd be cool to create a Goldeneye-based campaign for D&D. I've sketched out maps, and have general ideas where monsters should be located. I'm running into a few problems.

1. Is there an optimal way to create encounters? I know there's the n +/- 1 stuff in DMG1, and there are encounter generators online. Do any of you have a suggested method or generator that you use?
2. Spy char creation: I'm debating about how character creation would happen. I want to have some MI6 continuity, and I doubt a Paladin, Druid or Shaman(-ish) would be employed as a spy. Should I say that it's "heavily recommended" that people hybrid-class as a ranger/thief/fighter?
   
   If so, how would you handle DEX being a dump stat? My initial thought would be to take an existing array and replace the lowest stat with an 18.
   
   How would you also handle hybrid-class restrictions? Should (for example) Hunter's Quarry/Sneak Attack become an at-will, rather than an encounter?
3. Stealth rules: Any thoughts about stealth takedowns? If a PC successfully sneaks up on an enemy and performs a takedown, should the enemy be considered a minion and be insta-killed?
4. Anyone have a preferred map creator program? In an online group, our DM is using a whiteboard app/Skype plugin called IDroo.
5. Does anyone see other potential red-flags?
   
   I know that the entire campaign will be railroaded/linear, but I suspect that the D&D campaign topic would be enough to keep interest.

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate it,
-CastX7

 

[Quickleaf]

1. Is there an optimal way to create encounters? I know there's the n +/- 1 stuff in DMG1, and there are encounter generators online. Do any of you have a suggested method or generator that you use?

1. 
   There are lots of online resources - Masterplan and DM Tools spring to mind - but personally I use Microsoft Word templates in conjunction with the old offline Monster Builder. I've gotten very fast and effective at working in templated DOCs, and the results are clean.
   
   

   [*]Spy char creation: I'm debating about how character creation would happen. I want to have some MI6 continuity, and I doubt a Paladin, Druid or Shaman(-ish) would be employed as a spy. Should I say that it's "heavily recommended" that people hybrid-class as a ranger/thief/fighter?

   Do you mean you're setting the game in the James Bond universe with guns, fast cars, and all the modern trappings? Or are you simply taking an MI6-like organization and translating it into a standard medieval fantasy D&D world? Assuming the latter, you could look to Zeitgeist for ideas on PCs working for a spy/police organization.
   
   

   If so, how would you handle DEX being a dump stat? My initial thought would be to take an existing array and replace the lowest stat with an 18.

   Don't see the point in doing that.
   
   

   How would you also handle hybrid-class restrictions? Should (for example) Hunter's Quarry/Sneak Attack become an at-will, rather than an encounter?

   If your intention is to run a game for a small group of players playing gestalt PCs then go for it. Otherwise I'd encourage all but very experienced players to steer clear of the hybrid rules.
   
   

   [*]Stealth rules: Any thoughts about stealth takedowns? If a PC successfully sneaks up on an enemy and performs a takedown, should the enemy be considered a minion and be insta-killed?

   Yes! Just make sure not to let any players abuse it; they should have to work to set up Stealth kills, and doubly so if it's a named/elite enemy.
   
   

   [*]Anyone have a preferred map creator program? In an online group, our DM is using a whiteboard app/Skype plugin called IDroo.

   That depends entirely on what you want to do...So what do you want to do? I use Photoshop/GIMP, Hexographer, and Campaign Cartographer 3 depending if I want a nice battlemap, and old school hex map, or a world/campaign map.

 

[Castellanox7]

Thanks, Quickleaf.

Do you mean you're setting the game in the James Bond universe with guns, fast cars, and all the modern trappings? Or are you simply taking an MI6-like organization and translating it into a standard medieval fantasy D&D world? Assuming the latter, you could look to Zeitgeist for ideas on PCs working for a spy/police organization.

Pretty much the latter; almost equating MI6 to how an organization like the Harpers would work. I'll look into Zeit.

If your intention is to run a game for a small group of players playing gestalt PCs then go for it. Otherwise I'd encourage all but very experienced players to steer clear of the hybrid rules.

Understood; I'm just seeing a mild difference (if only in continuity), between a ranger/rogue/etc. shooting silently from a hand crossbow, and a wiz/sorc yelling an incantation for Magic Missile. With that, it's nothing big, I suppose, and I can get over it.

That depends entirely on what you want to do...So what do you want to do? I use Photoshop/GIMP, Hexographer, and Campaign Cartographer 3 depending if I want a nice battlemap, and old school hex map, or a world/campaign map.

I think the best thing would be to be able to have a separate set of image/vector/etc. files bundled in that a GM could load up electronically. I'm not sure if it'd be better just to create something that would export as .jpgs, or to use a more proprietary software.

 

[the Jester]

My biggest piece of advice would be to make sure your players are interested in playing a spy-themed campaign.

 

[Electric Wizard]

Sounds like fun!

I would stop short of encouraging certain classes. If your player wants a druid or paladin, roll with it. Remember that not all spies have to cling to James Bond/Mission Impossible stereotypes. Sneaky, suave types can't solve every problem, especially in a fantasy setting. A well-rounded team has someone to hold back a horde of security hellhounds, someone who can drop a stinking cloud on a room of witnesses, and someone who can heal injuries with a prayer.

It's not too hard to come up with motives for non-traditional classes to become involved. Smart organizations recognize diversity and special talents as assets. For example, a paladin might be involved in a spy network for many reasons - anything from sharing a common goal to the threat of blackmail.

 

[The Red King]

Sounds like fun!

I would stop short of encouraging certain classes. If your player wants a druid or paladin, roll with it. Remember that not all spies have to cling to James Bond/Mission Impossible stereotypes. Sneaky, suave types can't solve every problem, especially in a fantasy setting. A well-rounded team has someone to hold back a horde of security hellhounds, someone who can drop a stinking cloud on a room of witnesses, and someone who can heal injuries with a prayer.

It's not too hard to come up with motives for non-traditional classes to become involved. Smart organizations recognize diversity and special talents as assets. For example, a paladin might be involved in a spy network for many reasons - anything from sharing a common goal to the threat of blackmail.

Definitly listen to this.

I know i'd not be too happy to be told I only have a choice of multiclassing or sticking with 1 of 3 classes.

 

[Castellanox7]

Definitly listen to this.

I know i'd not be too happy to be told I only have a choice of multiclassing or sticking with 1 of 3 classes.

Elec and King: Will do. Thanks!

 

[AeroDm]

Sounds like fun!

I would stop short of encouraging certain classes. If your player wants a druid or paladin, roll with it. Remember that not all spies have to cling to James Bond/Mission Impossible stereotypes. Sneaky, suave types can't solve every problem, especially in a fantasy setting. A well-rounded team has someone to hold back a horde of security hellhounds, someone who can drop a stinking cloud on a room of witnesses, and someone who can heal injuries with a prayer.

It's not too hard to come up with motives for non-traditional classes to become involved. Smart organizations recognize diversity and special talents as assets. For example, a paladin might be involved in a spy network for many reasons - anything from sharing a common goal to the threat of blackmail.

I absolutely agree in principal, but there is nothing wrong with making sure people are aware with the style of game. If you're planning to run a stealth heavy game and you don't give me any notice before I create my platemail wearing Knight, I'm going to be annoyed when I'm constantly penalized. Make sure people know what they're in for, but don't stop them from breaking the mold.

 

[Castellanox7]

I absolutely agree in principal, but there is nothing wrong with making sure people are aware with the style of game. If you're planning to run a stealth heavy game and you don't give me any notice before I create my platemail wearing Knight, I'm going to be annoyed when I'm constantly penalized. Make sure people know what they're in for, but don't stop them from breaking the mold.

How would you handle those missions where stealth is suggested, if you were wearing "loud" armor? There is a difference between stealth-suggested "levels" such as the Dam, but combat-heavy "levels" (archives, control, cradle, etc.).

Would it be better just to say "eh, screw it", and ignore that aspect completely, have the characters in question develop "loadout"-esque item kits that they can change, or just say "Deal with it. Just make sure your stealthy characters can clear out the path for you."?

 

[Quickleaf]

You've got a couple options there. The two that I'd lean toward are group skill checks and skill challenges (or a variant thereof).

With a group skill check, set a DC then have everyone in the group make a check. If half or more succeed then the group passes stealthily. If not then the group fails. Alternately, you could allow stealth trained PCs to aid untrained/loud ones with sufficiently high checks. Or you could have one PC take spot against a fairly high DC - their single check determines success / failure for the group and the other PCs simply aid.

Skill challenges (or a variant thereof) could be designed so that other skills assist in the group's overall stealth, or could even be necessary. For example, shooting out a magic searchlight (a long range shot), diving into cold water and holding breath until patrol passes (Endurance) climbing outside of a building at night (Athletics), etc. I like this approach better, but classes that don't get many skills (eg. Fighter) would fall behind.