Sacrosanct
Legend
I think you're making quite an assumption to assume that beginning D&D players want an easy mode.
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D&D 5E First Session of HotDQ - WOW, what a meatgrinder
- Thread starter Halivar
- Start date
I think you're making quite an assumption to assume that beginning D&D players want an easy mode.
Dammit man, that was what I was going to say!
If anything, I've found the opposite to be true of new players. Based on some conversations I've had with people who had different DM's for HotDQ, the overwhelming majority of them preferred the DM's who didn't hand-hold them through encounters or give them freebies. Honestly, I found this not only surprising but refreshing. I had previously been of the opinion that there were too many people who wanted easy-mode in gaming culture.
It definitely helps that in Encounters any characters that die who are level 1-4 can be resurrected by their faction for free.
As a side note, in my Encounters group one of the player's characters died during the Sanctuary mission. He looked absolutely stunned and I could tell that it was very difficult for him to accept that the character he had put a lot of thought into had just perished (that was even after we told him his character could be resurrected for free). I know that in total there have been two character deaths at my table and at least two other character deaths at the other table running Greenest in Flames.
The way I saw Cyanwrath (and the way he was played in my session), he was a blood knight who is a pretty good sport about the duel, going as far as to agree to our terms of a) not have it be a fight to the death (though from his reactions when getting hit, I think he wouldn't care about him living or dying) and b) not have his kobolds around with the threat of intervention.
He even gave us potions after the battle... I think. That or he says "Yeah, these are good peeps. Take good care of them."
Seriously, Cyanwrath is probably one of those "I'd take a bullet in 'nam" bros.
He even gave us potions after the battle... I think. That or he says "Yeah, these are good peeps. Take good care of them."
Seriously, Cyanwrath is probably one of those "I'd take a bullet in 'nam" bros.
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Tony Vargas
Legend
What constitutes "easy mode" for experienced/serious players may not seem quite so 'easy' to new, inexperienced or even casual ones. For that matter, playstyles differ even among experienced players. 5e is /supposed/ to be an acknowledgement of that, yet it presents us with a 1st level that tilts heavily towards one style, then rapidly abandons that style as you level up. It seems an odd approach from that perspective. Of course, it matches the feel of the classic game, which is probably the reason, but that does little to deliver a good first experience to a new player.
FWIW, I've seen a lot more players sit out long stretches of a session with unconscious PCs than I have actual dead PCs. The dying rules aren't too bad, you have a slightly better than even chance of stabilizing even without aid, and stabilizing an ally isn't hard, even an untrained heal check is often sufficient. Without magical healing, though, getting them back up is an issue. With an experienced group of players or using a strict set of pregens you can be pretty sure the party includes at least one healer, but if that healer happens to be dropped early, or runs out of spells...
It is helpful.
FWIW, I've seen a lot more players sit out long stretches of a session with unconscious PCs than I have actual dead PCs. The dying rules aren't too bad, you have a slightly better than even chance of stabilizing even without aid, and stabilizing an ally isn't hard, even an untrained heal check is often sufficient. Without magical healing, though, getting them back up is an issue. With an experienced group of players or using a strict set of pregens you can be pretty sure the party includes at least one healer, but if that healer happens to be dropped early, or runs out of spells...
Here you're assuming, again, that it isn't a good experience for a new player. As I have pointed out from anecdotal evidence, it seems that the experience is just fine for them. How many new players have you asked about their experiences playing through HotDQ?
Halivar
First Post
"Easy mode" should have to do with system complexity, not coddling adventures. Just as much as I got sick to death of 3E's system complexity, I got sick of 4E's assumption of player success. Why are we even playing if there is zero risk of failure? Screw that, I'm done with it. PC's beware, and bring your A game.
Piratecat
Sesquipedalian
When running mobs of kobolds (or goblins, or what have you), remember two things:
- anyone between you and the target gives them +2 AC cover, including your allies. Kobolds not in the front line have a tougher time hitting.
- moving through allies counts as difficult terrain. If you need to move 15 feet forward through three allies, that's a full 30 feet movement right there. Hit and run tactics get tougher, which balances out the ability everyone has to move, attack, and keep moving.
- anyone between you and the target gives them +2 AC cover, including your allies. Kobolds not in the front line have a tougher time hitting.
- moving through allies counts as difficult terrain. If you need to move 15 feet forward through three allies, that's a full 30 feet movement right there. Hit and run tactics get tougher, which balances out the ability everyone has to move, attack, and keep moving.
Which would mean you couldn't do it at all since you'd need at least 5-ft. more movement since you can't end your turn in an occupied square
Piratecat
Sesquipedalian
Which would mean you couldn't do it at all since you'd need at least 5-ft. more movement since you can't end your turn in an occupied square
Pedant.
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