Daggerheart General Thread [+]

[Reynard]

I'm not sure why there isn't a straightforward NPC Ally rule:

Any player may choose to spend a Hope in order to spotlight an NPC ally at any time the spotlight remains with the PCs. NPCs roll 1d20 instead of Dd12, and do not generate hope or fear. If the NPC fails, the spotlight shifts to the GM.

Seems easy.

 

[zakael19]

I'm not sure why there isn't a straightforward NPC Ally rule:

Any player may choose to spend a Hope in order to spotlight an NPC ally at any time the spotlight remains with the PCs. NPCs roll 1d20 instead of Dd12, and do not generate hope or fear. If the NPC fails, the spotlight shifts to the GM.

Seems easy.

There’s just no intent or interest in statting non-adversaries out in this system. You just show what they do in the fiction, or give a Feature. Some of the sample features are somewhat similar to this, but more discreet so you’re not tracking more stuff. They also serve to like shine the spotlight back on the PC vs the other way around. I think the goal here is to activate a NPC for drama or narrative beats (“cool, so seeing you being pummeled Jorin leaps forward shoving the beast off balance and yelling ‘Nooo, get off her!’”).

You can always improvise something based on an Adversary stat block if you wanted, or improvised damage or whatever. But I wouldn’t tie it to PC Hope - just make a GM move (“ask” as the NPC per their motives would be a good one).

 

[Reynard]

There’s just no intent or interest in statting non-adversaries out in this system. You just show what they do in the fiction, or give a Feature. Some of the sample features are somewhat similar to this, but more discreet so you’re not tracking more stuff. They also serve to like shine the spotlight back on the PC vs the other way around. I think the goal here is to activate a NPC for drama or narrative beats (“cool, so seeing you being pummeled Jorin leaps forward shoving the beast off balance and yelling ‘Nooo, get off her!’”).

You can always improvise something based on an Adversary stat block if you wanted, or improvised damage or whatever. But I wouldn’t tie it to PC Hope - just make a GM move (“ask” as the NPC per their motives would be a good one).

I don't really buy that. I mean, I get the designers think that, but the genre itself often uses what could be called "NPCs". There should be a mechanism. It's not a huge deal, but it's an oversight.

 

[zakael19]

I don't really buy that. I mean, I get the designers think that, but the genre itself often uses what could be called "NPCs". There should be a mechanism. It's not a huge deal, but it's an oversight.

They clearly intend that the default is “the NPC helps you in accordance with their motives” and if the PC takes advantage giving Adv is the reward.

if you really want to go all the way to mechanical actions, the stuff is on 167 inclusive of “set conditions for when they’ll activate & roll a d20 if you want to add chance.” You could build a trigger that’s “PC spends a hope to order Sebah, the King’s Ranger to strike a target” if you wanted.

 

[overgeeked]

166/167, as noted. That also has suggested NPC abilities and such.

Yeah, absolutely. I’m just giving extra options.

 

[Reynard]

They clearly intend that the default is “the NPC helps you in accordance with their motives” and if the PC takes advantage giving Adv is the reward.

if you really want to go all the way to mechanical actions, the stuff is on 167 inclusive of “set conditions for when they’ll activate & roll a d20 if you want to add chance.” You could build a trigger that’s “PC spends a hope to order Sebah, the King’s Ranger to strike a target” if you wanted.

Yeah, absolutely. I’m just giving extra options.

I don't think there is anything in the actual design of DH that would prohibit NPCs that act like adversaries under player control. I know that isn't the direction they went for, but it doesn't appear to be a problem.

 

[overgeeked]

They clearly intend that the default is “the NPC helps you in accordance with their motives” and if the PC takes advantage giving Adv is the reward.

If you really want to go all the way to mechanical actions, the stuff is on 167 inclusive of “set conditions for when they’ll activate & roll a d20 if you want to add chance.” You could build a trigger that’s “PC spends a hope to order Sebah, the King’s Ranger to strike a target” if you wanted.

Yeah, there’s a page-and-half about how to deal with NPCs. So to say it’s missing or an oversight is just factually wrong. People might not like what’s there. But there are rules in place. If nothing else, fall back on fiction first and the PC focus of the game.