Cohorts in a campaign.Do they work?

[Anditch]

What do people think about people having effectively 2 characters to control in a campaign?.Do you think that a cohort should have a say or should he/she effectively be a zombie on a rope and only run forward mindlessly when the battle starts, Or should he/she have a character that others in the party can roleplay with to gain XP, this way a cohort helps the party by getting xp.As we all know Roleplaying xp in unlimitless. I feel that if a person can control 2 characters then fair enough but i dont feel that i have to keep up with the Jones's and try and be equal and force myself to take the feat to allow me to have a 2nd char.
So what do you think on Cohorts send me your views pls.

 

[Scupper]

I've only had this come up once while running a game, but it wasn't a satisfactory experience for either the player or myself. The cohort just ends up being an NPC tool.

To make it work, you have to be willing to put a lot of effort into making the cohort an independent figure, which can be hard to do while still giving the PCs the attention they need.

 

[Shallown]

I actualled haven't run one in 3rd ed yet but have done this many times in D&D and other systems. I think the secret is the Cohort should be as active and independent as the player wants. If they want a zombie they get one. Remember Zombies don't do much of anything on their own and this is good and bad for the boss character.

Most players in my games usually prefer I run them as an NPC mainly becuase that is a strong suit of mine and I also can use the NPC to interject things they may be missing. I usually develop the NPC as much or more than most characters are so after a few sessions the PC's have a good idea wht their personality is like.

As far as designing a character that is also up to the player. They can do it or I will I always get final approval in any case.

I think for the most part it is a player/GM style issue rather than hard and fast rules. I like my way and so do my players and that's all that matters.

I am working on a character now for a player who is 10th level but at 12th will aquire the Leadership feat (or that is his plan) this gives me plenty of time to develop a character. His only request is he doesn't want someone like himself and he would prefer he be an elf though like himself.

later

 

[Savage Wombat]

We've tried it in a couple of games, and in both cases have found that an NPC with a specific role to play - such as bodyguard to a mage - works very well as a cohort. If described correctly, a character can be colorful, and contribute to the game, without actually doing much in the way of role-playing.

In the first game, in Rokugan, the Phoenix shugenja had a Shiba Protector as his wife and bodyguard. As an unassuming warrior, she would naturally stay in the background and leave decision-making and social interaction to her more outgoing husband, until the issue of his safety came up, anyway. At those moments one of the players would usually happily point out that the NPC would be unlikely to allow her PC partner to do that - and the player would usually agree and cooperate.

 

[Sir Whiskers]

Two potential problems I've run into with cohorts:

1) The player is not able to handle two characters. Be careful which player you allow to use this feat, as a player can quickly become frustrated, especially if the cohort's class is one the player has never played.

2) The cohort is treated like just another item owned by the character. It works best if the cohort is introduced as an npc, with its own personality and goals. During the time the npc is a cohort, it has a reason to be there (the npc was rescued and is repaying the debt with service, the cohort is training with the pc, etc). In most situations, including combat, I expect the player to run the cohort (I have enough to do as GM). If I disagree with an action, however, I step in quickly to clarify what the npc will or will not do.

A minor point: You don't need cohorts in a campaign with plenty of pc's. If you allow cohorts at first, then several more players join, consider giving the player something else in return for the cohort leaving. Or help the player find a valid secondary role for the cohort (running the pc's stronghold, for instance).

 

[elbandit]

In my camapign I allow my palyers to take Leadership whenever they want... but a cohort will be added when convient for the story arc. Once a cohort is gained they get played as an NPC. That is the only way I can see allowing a cohort, honestly.

The paladin in my group is the only one who really wants a cohort and that is mostly to help him don his armor. I pointed out he can get magic armor that dons itself or a hireling and he is loooking at oher feats right now so it is no big deal.

On the other side we have 7 members in the party, really do not need more.

 

[MerricB]

I've used cohorts extensively. In one session there were 5 PCs and 4 cohorts!

Cohorts are run by the PC as an additional character; on occasion I may step in to roleplay the cohort or stop them from doing something contrary to their nature.

Cohorts are prized in my campaigns due to incidence of PC death; the cohort may then be taken over as the primary character. (I also enforce a rule of new non-cohort characters beginning at 1st level, meaning that possessing a cohort is almost essential in dangerous areas).

Cheers!

 

[MerricB]

I wrote an article on using cohorts a while ago.

You can find it here: Suggestions for Using Cohorts

Cheers!

 

[kigmatzomat]

Cohorts can work quite well, but it requires a bit of give & take. A cleric in my game has an awakened dog as his cohort with the followers being allies in various towns handling his affairs while he adventures.

About 75-80% of the time, the player runs the cohort. Sometimes, however, I hop in and provide dialogue or other actions. More like oversight than running the character. I provide attitudes and opinions that give the character flavor above and beyond the player's thinking. This reinforces the fact that Dowser (the dog) is a separate character but takes most of the load off me.

 

[mikebr99]

I'd suggest using the leadership feat in more of a mentoring role... and not a way for the party to fill holes in their defences.

If a Paladin picks up the feat, then he would attract a similar classed individual who has heard of his (the Paladin's) reputation, and wants to learn everything he can and be just like him (the Paladin)

The feat shouldn't be used for a Mage to pick up that bodyguard he's always wanted... He should have to pay money for that...

Cohorts should be like, and try to emulate their mentors.


YMMV... Mike