DM vs. PC's Question

[Harmon]

It depends heavily on your relationship- if you are into the rivalry then it will appear so, but if you are not then no.

I was always accused of trying to one up, even when I created something weeks or months before someone else- "you're copying," to whihc I would offer to let them look at old back up discs to my computer- "dated three months ago," I was never taken up on it and always felt that the person thought I was lying, but...

Do yourself a favor- cut out the rivalry with your players, friends, loved ones, and you will have better relationships, and I suggest that you do it before you do as I did and kill your relationships.

 

[Nightfall]

*has another idea*

Barbarian/Warblade Trolls duel wielding greatswords AND having kobolds ride on their shoulders with crossbows!

 

[the Jester]

Troll with Monkey grip great sword...eh.

Troll with TWO great swords using Monkey grip! Then you got em!

There was actually a pc in my campaign who dual-wielded Monkey Gripped greatswords.

I figure it can't be too overpowering, since nobody else has done it yet. Shrug.

 

[delericho]

There was actually a pc in my campaign who dual-wielded Monkey Gripped greatswords.

I figure it can't be too overpowering, since nobody else has done it yet. Shrug.

The possibility was removed in the 3.5 revision. Now, Monkey Grip only allows you to use weapons one size larger than normal at the same effort. That means a character can use Monkey Grip to use a Large greatsword, but you can't dual-wield greatswords of any size, since they still require two hand to use (okay, technically, you could weild Small greatswords, but you don't need Monkey Grip for that).

Furthermore, you can't apply Monkey Grip to your off-hand, nor use it with a double weapon. This means you can't even dual-weild Large longswords (which, at 2d6 damage, are essentially greatswords).

 

[The Thayan Menace]

Represent!

Where is the line drawn between challenging your players and engaging in a pissing contest with them?

What's wrong with simply pissing on them (metaphorically of course)?

After all, you're the DM ... it's your job to dispense the suffering.

Darth Asad is RBDMcore

 

[DonTadow]

Where is the line drawn between challenging your players and engaging in a pissing contest with them?

I have a PC who is making a fighter with the Monkey Grip feat wielding a Large Greatsword. If I send a, for example, troll with the Monkey Grip feat wielding some massive weapon, am i challenging him or am I just saying "Neener neener, look what I can do!"?

It depends on your reasoning for creating the baddie. Only you know your own intentions and how your players will react.

 

[Darklone]

*has another idea*

Barbarian/Warblade Trolls duel wielding greatswords AND having kobolds ride on their shoulders with crossbows!

Better idea: Take that troll and put two kobold adepts throwing lightning bolts on his shoulders.

 

[Darklone]

No, because that's way too easy

But I did take three members of a five member 9th lvl party (with very high wealth and stats, and an 11th lvl druid NPC ally) below -10 with two 8th lvl NPCs and eight 4th lvl NPCs, the latter eight with no magical equipment.

And bashed the 10th lvl paladin down with three Bbn4s, who were equipped with (I kid you not) hide armor and sticks with rocks attached to them. One of the PCs actually collected one of those and carried it around, claiming that they were so good with it that it must be a masterwork stick with a rock

Shilsen, I think we'd thoroughly enjoy each others game.

I have similarly fond memories of how my level 7 bard/bbn/rog multiclass wasted a level 10 wiz and a level 10 bastard sword/shield fighter in one battle.

I'd feel honored if you'd try the halfling cannibals ftr/rog dudes ambush on your players.

It's simple but sooo much fun.

But make sure you have an emergency exit prepared (evil overlord rules) when you tell your players afterwards: "I'm shocked that these puny low level hobbits hurt you all so badly... "

 

[Plane Sailing]

Where is the line drawn between challenging your players and engaging in a pissing contest with them?

I have a PC who is making a fighter with the Monkey Grip feat wielding a Large Greatsword. If I send a, for example, troll with the Monkey Grip feat wielding some massive weapon, am i challenging him or am I just saying "Neener neener, look what I can do!"?

I think the line should be drawn such that you are always doing the former and never doing the latter, because it is pointless.

However, in your position I wouldn't allow monkey grip feats and large greatswords, because it is just asking for trouble. Monkey grip was one of those 'arms race' feats which probably shouldn't have ever been written IMO.

 

[shilsen]

Shilsen, I think we'd thoroughly enjoy each others game.

Yes, I believe we would

I'd feel honored if you'd try the halfling cannibals ftr/rog dudes ambush on your players.

It's simple but sooo much fun.

Coincidentally, one of the PCs has just been challenged to a gladiatoral duel by a halfling. Odds are that a couple more PCs will be asked to join in for a three-a-side fight. The halflings are going to be about 3-4 levels lower than the PCs. So I'm expecting to beat the crap out of them

But make sure you have an emergency exit prepared (evil overlord rules) when you tell your players afterwards: "I'm shocked that these puny low level hobbits hurt you all so badly... "

I'll remember that. Did I mention that three sessions ago four of the PCs (now 11th lvl, with over 200,000 gp each of equipment, including three permanent +4 enhancements) walked into a drug den guarded by three CR6, six CR5, and four CR4 NPCs, planning to kick them around for the heck of it. Admittedly, the PCs were really cocky and didn't have their game face on, but by the end of the fight, one PC was below -10 (IMC, you can use action pts to survive that, without which we'd have had 25 deaths in 48 games), another was at -8, and the remaining two PCs were running as fast as they could to get help.