DMs - a druid question

[Burne]

I would give you full Xp, but only because if that happened I(the DM) would have screwed up and you the player shouldn't be penalized.

Any DM makes three hill giants stand within a 10ft radius burst for the 40 minutes it takes for the lightning to do the damage needed to kill them, deserves to have his monsters chewed up.

 

[ForceUser]

#1) The PC should be rewarded for clever thinking.

#2) However, this seems like a DM set-up: giants out in the open, they are unable/unwilling to leave, it's a stormy night,....

#3) I'm not sure how "clever" the PC really is...he's just following DM cues.

#4) Sounds like a "less challenging encounter", therefore less than full XP. (50%)

#1) Thank you

#2) It wasn't a set-up. He didn't expect me to go after three hill giants alone. You should have seen the look on his face. I discovered them boldly wandering my tribe's lands, unconcerned and unchallenged, looking for orcs (the tribe is semi-nomadic, it was summer, they were poking around our winter camp.) I cast weather eye, noted a storm would hit in three days, harassed them with things like entangle and spike growth whenever they tried to sleep, then on the night of the storm I let them have it. Having not found any orcs to capture for slaves, and highly annoyed by my harrassment anyway, they were on their way back to their mountains, so I simply encouraged them not to linger, god-of-thunder style. For the record, in the actual scenario I didn't kill any of them - three bolts from the heavens and one severely wounded hill giant later, they crossed back into their territory and I decided furthur pursuit would be unwise - after all, I had accomplished my goal by encouraging them to leave our lands and, hopefully, instilling respect for orcish druids

I have no idea what my DM awarded me for the encounter. Probably not much because he said they were leaving anyway. It doesn't matter; the looks of shock and rapid thinking on his face inspired by the fact that I would actually attack three hill giants by myself at 6th level - and more, that it would work - was quite satisfying. I live to surpise my DM with unconventional uses of my character's powers. I am in the minority in my belief that, while not unwelcome, druids certainly do not need the enhancements they are about to receive in 3.5.

#3) See above.

#4) Only because I'm clever, right? Otherwise it's an impossible encounter. You'd reward a 6th-level fighter who somehow, impossibly, defeated three hill giants the full XP, wouldn't you?

Thanks for the input all. And for the record, XP or no XP, I will use that tactic to the fullest every time the hill giants return to harass my character's tribe. Just you wait until I get firestorm.

 

[Nail]

#1) Thank you

Of course!

#2) It wasn't a set-up. He didn't expect me to go after three hill giants alone. You should have seen the look on his face. I discovered them boldly wandering my tribe's lands...(excellent tactics snipped)

Got it.

Given the remainder of your scenario, I definately would have given you full XP.

After all, you didn't just use one spell and got off a few lucky shots. You were a canny hunter and determined tribal guardian. Excellent RP! And you used good tactics (divining the weather was an excellent idea) spread over several days.

The "encounter" was much more involved than was described above! After all, in your initial post you said you killed three hillgiants with just the one spell (and a very weak spell at that), and gave no other indication of the rest of the story. Unfair troll! ...or is that "half-troll"?

Full XP for th' man! Besides, he's a half-orc....they need it.

 

[Bendris Noulg]

Given the remainder of your scenario, I definately would have given you full XP.

Ditto. Indeed, ForceUser's methods and goal for the encounter (expelling a superior foe via thought-out tactics) is what I look for in players. And the best part: Three Hill Giants will spread the word of their first-hand encounter with what they perceive as a menacing threat inhabiting the area. Should assist in trimming down unwanted guests for a short time.

Well played...

(Of course, next time, give a more accurate description of the scenario!)

 

[youspoonybard]

Forceuser,

Druids, IMO, are the best class in 3.0. They are also the most fun to play, IMO, and the class I would be, if I were a DnD char.

Unfortunately, I believe that WotC went, "Hmm. What classes do people PLAY the least, and how can we address that?"

While probably beneficial to the Ranger, Monk, and Barbarian, I'm scared of what this does to my Druid, and the Bard.

Good job on your victory!

 

[ForceUser]

(Of course, next time, give a more accurate description of the scenario!)

To be honest, the version of the scenario originally presented was intended to be hypothetical and extrapolated from the original encounter. After the actual victory I spent some time imagining how I could effectively expand the tactic, and that lead me to the question of whether or not using such a tactic would actually be worth XP. But I didn't want Nails to get the wrong impression of my DM - he's terrific - so I responded.

Anyway, thanks for the kind words. The character is much fun to play (he's a full orc, not a half-orc, and his mental stats are 8 INT, 16 WIS, 7 CHA - a real challenge to portray!)