Bear psychology question

[Dannyalcatraz]

I asked a bear psychologist this question. He said, "RAWRRRRR!"

 

[billd91]

I asked a bear psychologist this question. He said, "RAWRRRRR!"

I can think of a bare psychologist or two that I'd like to ask. MRAWRRRR

 

[Bullgrit]

The answer is: when anyone/thing has dropped a PC to unconsciousness, unless there is a real reason for *the DM* to really go for absolutely surely dead, the attacker should move on to the next target.

This answer really doesn't have anything to do with bear psychology, (or NPC psychology), but with a DM's psychology.

I mean, if a human enemy gets three attacks, but drops the PC with the first, should he continue with the second and third attacks? If the the DM has a real reason to want the PC dead, dead, dead, then okay. If the DM does not have a real reason to want the PC thoroughly dead, then the DM shouldn't "kick a man when he's down," so to speak.

Anyone can come up with any reason why an enemy wouldn't keep attacking a downed PC, and DMs really shouldn't be [too] bloodthirsty. No Player is ever going to think, "I can't believe that enemy didn't keep attacking me to full death." But many a Player will think, "I really wish my PC wasn't dead."

Bullgrit

 

[Griego]

As a DM, if in a situation where I hold the PC's life in my hands, I let them live unless there is a really compelling reason to kill them. As in, I just can't think of a reason why the opponent wouldn't kill the PC, such as a paid assassin, blood feud, etc. It's easy to handwave realism when it comes to animals; once you're no longer a threat, the animal moves on to the next target.

To those who might say this takes the danger/excitement/bite out of my campaign, no, it doesn't, because there are plenty of chances for PCs to be killed without me forcing the issue.

Now, if there is an animal, monster, or NPC that is well-known to kill off opponents in battle (for whatever reason), then let the chips fall where they may. I would try to make sure the players know this in advance, if at all possible. Kinda softens the blow when their beloved creation bites the dust.

 

[NewJeffCT]

I mean, if a human enemy gets three attacks, but drops the PC with the first, should he continue with the second and third attacks? If the the DM has a real reason to want the PC dead, dead, dead, then okay. If the DM does not have a real reason to want the PC thoroughly dead, then the DM shouldn't "kick a man when he's down," so to speak.

Anyone can come up with any reason why an enemy wouldn't keep attacking a downed PC, and DMs really shouldn't be [too] bloodthirsty. No Player is ever going to think, "I can't believe that enemy didn't keep attacking me to full death." But many a Player will think, "I really wish my PC wasn't dead."

Bullgrit

It's not quite like getting 3 attacks and then deciding to use attack 3 on dead PC or another target. With that, I would 100% agree.

However, it was all part of one attack pattern. The main attack is for the bear to use its two claws. If it hits with both attacks, it then gets to do a free secondary attack, which is essentially to grab & crush the target (bear hug). The free attack is what killed the PC.

If the bear decided to not attack the now unconscious PC with its bear hug, its turn was over. It would then have to wait till its next turn to attack again.

 

[billd91]

If the bear decided to not attack the now unconscious PC with its bear hug, its turn was over. It would then have to wait till its next turn to attack again.

I wouldn't expect that to bother a bear in the slightest. It's not going to much care that a free attack got wasted.

 

[Crazy Jerome]

Also keep in mind from the fantasy perspective, that bears are not stupid. They are capable of adapting to new environmental factors quite rapidly. In the Smoky Mountains, people are actively working to condition bears to avoid people, with some success, because they want the bears in the woods, but people are relatively dense on the ground. Apparently, some of the trained behavior gets passed on from mother bear to cubs! Then they've got a zoo area for the ones that won't play by the new rules.

Translating to fantasy, I'd expect in a world with trolls, umber hulks, and the like, bears reponses would be somewhat intensified. They'll be more cautious, even knowing they can't always outrun trouble, and that trouble is out there. But when they go in, they'll go in hard (even compared to real bears).

 

[David Howery]

I mean, if a human enemy gets three attacks, but drops the PC with the first, should he continue with the second and third attacks?

I ran into a DM once who actually enforced this... I had a character (1E) with two attacks facing multiple opponents who killed one low-level nobody with his first blow (two-handed sword+high strength+ magic= mega damage), and sought to attack one of the others... but the DM didn't allow that, claiming that the intensity of the combat meant you could only target one opponent per round, no matter how many attacks you had. A bit stunned at this, I pointed out that a combat round was a full minute, meaning that I was standing there ignoring the other two guys flailing away at me, apparently pondering the death of my opponent for 45 seconds or so. The DM didn't agree. I pointed out that plenty of monsters in the game with multiple attacks were noted as being able to attack multiple targets in the same round. He didn't care. Don't think I ever ran in another game with that DM again...

 

[Bullgrit]

I ran into a DM once who actually enforced this...

Your anecdote is unrelated to my post you quoted.

Bullgrit

 

[Janx]

Anyone can come up with any reason why an enemy wouldn't keep attacking a downed PC, and DMs really shouldn't be [too] bloodthirsty. No Player is ever going to think, "I can't believe that enemy didn't keep attacking me to full death." But many a Player will think, "I really wish my PC wasn't dead."

Bullgrit

i agree with your whole post, as it was something i had in the back of my mind on this thread. thanks for articulating it.

I would further add, why would you NEED to keep hitting an enemy who just reached 0 HP?

Maybe it depends on edition, but generally, when an enemy drops, he is dead or soon will be (losing 1 HP per round).

Unless he has friends and you are losing the fight, or he regenerates, he is as good as dead.

Thus, wasting time extra-killing a presumably dead foe means his pals will keep hitting you.

this circles back to BG's point. If there's not a practical reason, over-whacking a PC is just not needed or justifiable.