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Since I started playing 5e (after years of using minis with 4e) I run more TotM (even my 4e one-shot earlier this year was TotM) but occasionally pull out the minis. Lately I have been pulling the minis out more. I don't use a grid any more with the minis. Just directly on the table or on a dry erase surface to draw in rooms and such.
I really like both styles. My first few years of playing D&D (1982-1985) was strictly TotM since I couldn't afford minis. Then I joined a group with a family that both sons and the mother played, and they had a decent minis collection. We used minis for PCs and significant NPCs (for minions we used bits from their risk game).
I really like both styles. My first few years of playing D&D (1982-1985) was strictly TotM since I couldn't afford minis. Then I joined a group with a family that both sons and the mother played, and they had a decent minis collection. We used minis for PCs and significant NPCs (for minions we used bits from their risk game).
AaronOfBarbaria
Adventurer
I've decided to add some concrete examples from my session last night to make sure my stance on the matter is clear:
Encounter A: the PCs (a necromancer and an assassin) surprise 4 cult fanatics sitting around a table eating a meal in their shared room. No need for minis because the environment is simple, the positioning isn't going to matter beyond is/isn't near the table, and the fanatics might not even be getting to take actions (as evident by the way it played out: one fanatic killed on the assassin's first turn, the rest stuck in a web spell, then another fanatic dead on the assassin's second turn, and one wounded by the necromancer, then the fanatics cast some spells trying to paralyze the assassin and damage the necromancer to break concentration, and died within the next two rounds for failing to do either).
Encounter B: the necromancer, two zombies under her control, and the assassin are in the cult's temple, when they realize a giant constrictor is hiding inside a bell near the center of the room, and it slithering out sounds the bell, which is answered by 3 of the four entrance to the temple opening and enemies coming forth; the cult leader from one, 20 skeletons from another, and 20 zombies from the last - so out come the dungeon tiles to show the room and its furnishings and a detailed position for each of the 46 combatants. The great benefits were knowing how quickly each party member got surrounded, and how many of those zombies were in the area of the lightning bolt spell the assassin cast from a ring of spell storing. In the end, the battle was memorable for the players, but the necromancer player is lamenting not having chosen any area effect spells as of yet (but she is 34 experience from reaching 7th level, so I expect she'll be remedying that very soon).
Encounter A: the PCs (a necromancer and an assassin) surprise 4 cult fanatics sitting around a table eating a meal in their shared room. No need for minis because the environment is simple, the positioning isn't going to matter beyond is/isn't near the table, and the fanatics might not even be getting to take actions (as evident by the way it played out: one fanatic killed on the assassin's first turn, the rest stuck in a web spell, then another fanatic dead on the assassin's second turn, and one wounded by the necromancer, then the fanatics cast some spells trying to paralyze the assassin and damage the necromancer to break concentration, and died within the next two rounds for failing to do either).
Encounter B: the necromancer, two zombies under her control, and the assassin are in the cult's temple, when they realize a giant constrictor is hiding inside a bell near the center of the room, and it slithering out sounds the bell, which is answered by 3 of the four entrance to the temple opening and enemies coming forth; the cult leader from one, 20 skeletons from another, and 20 zombies from the last - so out come the dungeon tiles to show the room and its furnishings and a detailed position for each of the 46 combatants. The great benefits were knowing how quickly each party member got surrounded, and how many of those zombies were in the area of the lightning bolt spell the assassin cast from a ring of spell storing. In the end, the battle was memorable for the players, but the necromancer player is lamenting not having chosen any area effect spells as of yet (but she is 34 experience from reaching 7th level, so I expect she'll be remedying that very soon).
Lanefan
Victoria Rules
Props to you for having a party with a N and an A in it at all...too many do-gooders around here...
Lan-"about to run a game with, you guessed it, both an N and an A in the party"-efan
The Human Target
Adventurer
Props to you for having a party with a N and an A in it at all...too many do-gooders around here...
Lan-"about to run a game with, you guessed it, both an N and an A in the party"-efan
Necromancers and Assassins could both be Lawful Good.
AaronOfBarbaria
Adventurer
[MENTION=29398]Lanefan[/MENTION], as [MENTION=22574]The Human Target[/MENTION] points out there is nothing inherently non-"do-gooder" about necromancers and assassins... though campaign circumstances make the situation very convoluted such that these characters are both currently focused on "doing good" even though both are neutral and one is evil.
I'm A Banana
Potassium-Rich
I prefer ToTM - faster, smoother, more dramatic, more dynamic. I LOVE the DMG rules that allow me to judge targeting based on the area and a roll of the dice.
My online game, though, pretty much demands minis. It's one of the prices you pay for a transition to a mostly-visual format. It takes a LOT more work, and can be VERY dry, but it gets the job done OK.
ToTM is where my heart is, and where my in-person games are, though.
My online game, though, pretty much demands minis. It's one of the prices you pay for a transition to a mostly-visual format. It takes a LOT more work, and can be VERY dry, but it gets the job done OK.
ToTM is where my heart is, and where my in-person games are, though.
Lanefan
Victoria Rules
::blink:: Really? LN I can see, but LG? I find that hard to fathom.
Lan-"by the same token, then, can a Paladin be Evil?"-efan
CaptainGemini
First Post
I can see LG. Necromancers who focus on putting down the dead instead of raising and assassins who only target evil targets that are causing evil. A LG assassin might even be working for a holy order or a government-backed guild.
And, paladins can be evil. The Oath of Vengeance seems particularly suited to the evil alignments.
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