Cohorts - how do you handle them?

[JoeBlank]

Just looking for some general info here, be it house rules, how you interpret rules, or fluffy stuff. Our campaign is potentially on the verge of having a couple of players take the Leadership feat, and we are curious to see how others handle this.

Truthfully, the DM is Olgar Shiverstone, but he has limited internet access while out of town and we were hoping to get some feedback before our next session. Some of these questions are his. To get the discussion started, we are wondering:

• What does the player have access to, full stats of the cohort, or something less?
• What about character creation for the cohort? Do you use the same rules as PC creation, or something else? Who creates the cohort, DM, player, or a joint effort?
• How much control does the player have over the cohort, and when? From what I hear, many games just allow the player full control over the cohort, like a second player character. We will almost certainly go with something less than this, but the question is how much less.
• How are XP and treasure rewards handled/divided (especially if other than per the DMG)? Are the new XP rules for cohorts working out, or are you using something else?
• Especially concerning treasure, it seems like other players may get the feeling the the presence of a cohort takes away some of the party's treasure, almost like the player with the cohort is double-dipping. Any problems in this area?
• What works and what doesn't -- DMing technique stuff, rather than rules judgments. What do you like about the system you use, and how would you change it?

Thanks for your input.

 

[diaglo]

i plan on giving the cohort all of the magic treasure i find. he can be the uber munchkin in the party.

 

[Flyspeck23]

What about character creation for the cohort? Do you use the same rules as PC creation, or something else? Who creates the cohort, DM, player, or a joint effort?

Joint effort, but mostly DM. The player tells the DM what she wants her cohort to be, then the DM creates the cohort (point buy).

How much control does the player have over the cohort, and when? From what I hear, many games just allow the player full control over the cohort, like a second player character. We will almost certainly go with something less than this, but the question is how much less.

Let the player try - if she can handle two characters at the same time, fine. Chances are she can't cope with it.

Generally, the DM runs the character (just like the animal companions). The player may make suggestions, of course, but ultimately it's up to the DM.

How are XP and treasure rewards handled/divided (especially if other than per the DMG)? Are the new XP rules for cohorts working out, or are you using something else?

They're fine by me. Highly recommended.

Especially concerning treasure, it seems like other players may get the feeling the the presence of a cohort takes away some of the party's treasure, almost like the player with the cohort is double-dipping. Any problems in this area?

What this boils down to is: do the other players even want the character in question to have a cohort? If the answer is "yes", the cohort should receive treasures as by the rules (more or less...).

I don't think the characters would make that much of a distinction between PCs and cohorts, so why should the players?

What works and what doesn't -- DMing technique stuff, rather than rules judgments. What do you like about the system you use, and how would you change it?

Using cohorts is always a group effort (DM, player, the rest of the party). That's the main problem.If the party already is big enough (more than four players) cohorts may become a burden.

 

[Piratecat]

How do I handle them? I yell, "You stupid cohorts! You sit down right now and you listen to me!" Then I shake my finger in their faces, and they usually do what I tell them.

Stupid cohorts.

 

[Xagunder MacFaileas]

In the epic game I participate in, my character is currently traveling with one of his two cohorts (one from the Leadership feat, one from his Noble House feat [from Green Ronin Publishing's Noble's Handbook]). He also has plans to gain two more before eventually gaining epic leadership (with the feats Undead Leadership [once he becomes a lich] and Dragon Cohort [from the Draconomicon]).

So, to answer your questions from our group's point of view:

* What does the player have access to, full stats of the cohort, or something less?

Our players have total access to the cohort's character sheet.

* What about character creation for the cohort? Do you use the same rules as PC creation, or something else? Who creates the cohort, DM, player, or a joint effort?

The cohorts are created just like PCs, but are equipped as NPCs (as per the DMG). So far, since our epic game is a shared DMing thing, players get to make their cohorts. I the low-level game I run in my homebrew world, the player would get to make his cohort with the DM having veto power on any major points.

* How much control does the player have over the cohort, and when? From what I hear, many games just allow the player full control over the cohort, like a second player character. We will almost certainly go with something less than this, but the question is how much less.

We allow the player to run the cohort as a second PC. This removes the chance of arbitrariness from a feat the player has spent for his character, and takes character pressure of the DM, who is already running so many NPCs and monsters.

* How are XP and treasure rewards handled/divided (especially if other than per the DMG)? Are the new XP rules for cohorts working out, or are you using something else?

The 3.5 cohort XP rules rule. No longer are other players' characters punished for my character taking a feat. As for treasure...

* Especially concerning treasure, it seems like other players may get the feeling the the presence of a cohort takes away some of the party's treasure, almost like the player with the cohort is double-dipping. Any problems in this area?

This we've handled in character. Of course, because of the "double-dipping" question, my character desiring a full share for his cohort because she is a person and is helping on our adventures was shouted down, but I did manage to get one-half share for her.

I do think that if you have a decent group, this is actually something that should be roleplayed out. My character still fumes about how his negotiations with his group turned out, and this may have repercussions further on...

* What works and what doesn't -- DMing technique stuff, rather than rules judgments. What do you like about the system you use, and how would you change it?

Personally, I'm quite happy with 3.5's cohort and follower rules. Like I mentioned above, giving the player control of the cohort takes pressure off the DM. And the DMG cohort XP rules are the best I've seen thusfar.

Good luck.

 

[JoeBlank]

Now I expect the sarcastic response from diaglo, but it is always a pleasure to get such comments from PC too.

Of course, diaglo's character currently hides much of the treasure he finds, keeping it for himself. So if we can get him to share with anyone, even a cohort, that will be an accomplishment.

On second though, his character does "share" as he is willing to loan his "hard-earned" money to the other characters.

 

[Piratecat]

I'm just in a Joe Blank-inspired happy Hornblower haze.

If a player wants a cohort, I generally ask them what class. Then I build the character myself. I'll role play it, but the player usually controls it in combat. We haven't had any problems with this approach.

 

[smetzger]

What does the player have access to, full stats of the cohort, or something less?

Player has the full stats and character sheet. DM already has lots of creatures to control. IMO this makes th game flow the quickest.

What about character creation for the cohort? Do you use the same rules as PC creation, or something else? Who creates the cohort, DM, player, or a joint effort?

Player makes the cohort. Same rules as PCs, except he gets NPC equipment. This is the players sidekick I see no reason to limit his choices or impede his freedom here.

How much control does the player have over the cohort, and when? From what I hear, many games just allow the player full control over the cohort, like a second player character. We will almost certainly go with something less than this, but the question is how much less.

Full control. I reserve the right to overturn players decisions. But I have never had to do this. Again this is easiest and I haven't had any problems with it. I would find it annoying if the DM didn't give me full control.

How are XP and treasure rewards handled/divided (especially if other than per the DMG)? Are the new XP rules for cohorts working out, or are you using something else?

I used the 3.0 rules under 3.0 and they worked out good. I am a bit concerned that the 3.5 rules result in no XP drain from the party and thus there is no drawback to a very powerful feat. I am going to try the 3.5 rules fot now.
Treasure, well I believe treasure division should always be handled in game and without hard and fast rules. That being said cohorts expect the leader to give them stuff out of his share.

What works and what doesn't -- DMing technique stuff, rather than rules judgments. What do you like about the system you use, and how would you change it?

Giving the player full control is simple, easiest to implement, most fun for the player, and IMO not imbalencing.

I like the cohort rules I have used the above player full control rules on both sides of the screen and found it enjoyable.

When playing I like to take a cohort and then I like the character to be a little crazy, rash, or uniwise. I can then use the cohort to 'hold' my main character back so he doesn't get everyone killed.

One of my players plans on taking leadership at 12th level and getting a Bard cohort to sing songs and legends about him. Sounds like fun to me.

*:> Scott

 

[diaglo]

What does the player have access to, full stats of the cohort, or something less?

some background is probably in order...the group has a druid and two rangers with animal companions. they have the stats and sheets for their animal companions.

What about character creation for the cohort? Do you use the same rules as PC creation, or something else? Who creates the cohort, DM, player, or a joint effort?

in the above example of animal companions...it played out as to what was available in the area. the druid wanted a polar bear or tiger. ended up with a brown bear. one ranger wanted a camel . ended up with a riding dog. the other wanted a bull...ended up with a rothe

How much control does the player have over the cohort, and when? From what I hear, many games just allow the player full control over the cohort, like a second player character. We will almost certainly go with something less than this, but the question is how much less.

again with the animal companions comparison. fiddle commands his animal to perform simple tricks. but the animals aren't thinking on their own. other than survival.

How are XP and treasure rewards handled/divided (especially if other than per the DMG)? Are the new XP rules for cohorts working out, or are you using something else?

if treated like a hireling circa OD&D or 1edADnD. they are paid by the employer. you hired them. you pay for them. in a set contract.

Especially concerning treasure, it seems like other players may get the feeling the the presence of a cohort takes away some of the party's treasure, almost like the player with the cohort is double-dipping. Any problems in this area?

again see above. pay comes from the employer. but i know in fiddle's case. he is gonna give away the magic stuff.

What works and what doesn't -- DMing technique stuff, rather than rules judgments. What do you like about the system you use, and how would you change it?

gotta keep an eye on morale and such...as an indicator of the leadership score. with motivation the score will rise. without it will plummet.

 

[herald]

How do I handle them? I yell, "You stupid cohorts! You sit down right now and you listen to me!" Then I shake my finger in their faces, and they usually do what I tell them.

Stupid cohorts.

But you don't have fingers....?