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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Astrosicebear" data-source="post: 6394233" data-attributes="member: 67017">Chases are extremely tough in D&D.  Many characters have easy ways to quickly boost their speed.  And if you use those ways for the runner, he could escape before any pc's even get a chance.  I run chases in my games quite often, as they are a great story telling element.  Here's how I do it.  I ignore the rules.In a chase, the idea is to be a quick as possible. A chase is a high energy scene, and slowing it down with any dice rolls completely defeats the purpose.  Also, chase scenes work well when its one on one. Running a chase with a full party usually ends up a silly mess.  Here are some tips:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If the whole party is involved, give them something to do.  The party chases the assassin through the streets, but around every corner a thug waits to trip a PC.  Each PC then gets a 1on1 with a guy while one of them continues the chase.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Describe the situation in quick details, and always keep the action moving.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">success is determined by successful actions or failures.  For instance, the assassin is escaping and being chased by the rogue.  The assassin runs past some trash buckets and tips them over.  When addressing the player, keep things simple: "The assassin ducks around a corner and you quickly follow only to find trash bins kicked over, what do you do?"  Dont make them roll a check, thats lame.  Ask them.  If they are Dexterous they will say i jump over. If they have str, they might plow through. If they quickly say, I jump over them, they do so.  If they sit and think for more than 5 seconds, I tell them they trip on them and lose time.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If the pcs want to use abilities let them. This is D&D and they can do some cool things.  Cunning action? Monk speed? Magic Missile? Far shots? sure!  Doesnt mean they will stop the chase outright... sometimes it takes a few successes, but remember casting and moving might slow them down.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">This is D&D (didnt I say that already?) If a chase happens its either because a)the runner wants it to happen, or b)something happened and the runner messed up.  Chases leading into ambushes are awesome.  But if an assassin runs, its because they cant escape with plan A.  Any smart assassin will have safe houses, or contingency plans (ladders, barrels, change of clothes, etc.).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">As a DM, get in the mindset for chases that you WANT your runners to be caught.  Give the PCs a tough go at it, but let them get this small victory.  Nothing is worse than chasing some street urchin cutpurse as 5th level characters and not catching her.  Makes everyone feel useless.  And what did they gain by catching her?  If you want something to happen, make it happen 3 different ways, and the runner might only be 1 way.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Interrogating a runner is a GREAT exposition chance, also a great way to throw off PCs.  Here's a guy running for his life, now we caught him red handed, he HAS to be telling the truth.</li> </ul>Keep the energy high.</blockquote>

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