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<blockquote data-quote="Ariosto" data-source="post: 5120694" data-attributes="member: 80487">Not if the mage has protection from normal missiles. In the absence of that, four hits should suffice on average. In AD&amp;D 1st ed., let us say:base 50% vs. AC 10light crossbow +15% vs. AC 10, 15&quot; (fireball range) is -25% for long range = 40%heavy crossbow +20% vs AC 10, -10% for medium range = 60%average is back to 50%heavy crossbow, but m-u is detected while invisible -20% = 40% (light = 20%)So, a volley from 10 or 20 is on average deadly (14 points of damage vs. 12.5 hit points) to the invisible mage.See Dungeon Masters Guide pp. 103-104 regarding &quot;hiring non-player characters to cast spells or use devices&quot;. Note that risk is mentioned as likely to increase fees fivefold or more, if not outright refused.A basic assumption of that game -- expressed in the sections on henchmen and hirelings as well -- is that characters possessing class levels and capable of advancement due to experience points are extraordinary, independent and ambitious.In other words, when 6th-level 'magicians' and 'myrmidons' take the field, it is not as mere &quot;rank and file&quot;. Such figures are at the least allies of the principals, with their own interests in mind.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Ariosto, post: 5120694, member: 80487"] Not if the mage has [I]protection from normal missiles[/I]. In the absence of that, four hits should suffice on average. In AD&D 1st ed., let us say: base 50% vs. AC 10 light crossbow +15% vs. AC 10, 15" (fireball range) is -25% for long range = 40% heavy crossbow +20% vs AC 10, -10% for medium range = 60% average is back to 50% heavy crossbow, but m-u is detected while [I]invisible[/I] -20% = 40% (light = 20%) So, a volley from 10 or 20 is on average deadly (14 points of damage vs. 12.5 hit points) to the [i]invisible[/i] mage. See [I]Dungeon Masters Guide[/I] pp. 103-104 regarding "hiring non-player characters to cast spells or use devices". Note that risk is mentioned as likely to increase fees fivefold or more, if not outright refused. A basic assumption of [I]that[/I] game -- expressed in the sections on henchmen and hirelings as well -- is that characters possessing class levels and capable of advancement due to experience points are [B]extraordinary, independent and ambitious[/B]. In other words, when 6th-level 'magicians' and 'myrmidons' take the field, it is not as mere "rank and file". Such figures are at the least [I]allies[/I] of the principals, with their own interests in mind. [/QUOTE]

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