For playtesters: the lack of morale rules

[KesselZero]

A whole system for handling morale and groups of monsters

My hat's off to you, sir. I look forward to playtesting your system. I curse the sky that the XP system is down right now.

 

[KesselZero]

I would love to see some optional morale rules in 5e. I enjoy the idea that there's an element of randomness that could surprise me, the DM, and inspire me as well ("Why on earth do these dumb kobolds keep on fighting?" or "What happened to make this group of bandits flee?"). I also don't want my players to start assuming their foes will react in a certain way.

 

[Kraydak]

I would love to see some optional morale rules in 5e. I enjoy the idea that there's an element of randomness that could surprise me, the DM, and inspire me as well ("Why on earth do these dumb kobolds keep on fighting?" or "What happened to make this group of bandits flee?"). I also don't want my players to start assuming their foes will react in a certain way.

If a party is, maybe, in over its head in a close fought encounter, DMs sometimes have the enemy break. Maybe because the enemy should, maybe to save the party. Even if the former, it can have the stink of part-saved-by-DM-fiat. Morale rules can provide that nice touch of impartiality.

 

[jadrax]

Also, I think whether or not someone bottles it in a fight probably should be quite random. Maybe not for PCs, who are often 'special', but for hirelings and monsters it adds a bit realism that its random rather than being done from a tactical understanding of the situation.

And of course, a numerical Moral Value can easily be referenced as a guideline for people who prefer that.

 

[AeroDm]

Morale's tough because as soon as you integrate it into the game with rules and skills and checks it becomes a weapon instead of these neat little extra in the game. Someone will become the super intimidator or however it can be exploited. For that reason alone, I prefer to keep it at DM fiat.

 

[Stormonu]

Does PCs running from monsters count? Cuz my players did just that when finding a room with 22 goblins in it.

Also, I think morale for monsters could easily be done as some sort of Wis check, modified by circumstance and the leader's Cha modifier.

 

[jadrax]

Also, I think morale for monsters could easily be done as some sort of Wis check, modified by circumstance and the leader's Cha modifier.

I would rather it be down to Ego (IE Charisma) tbh. Otherwise you have the wonderful expression of 'I fight to the death, for I am wise!'.