Forked Thread: playing non-attacking characters

[mattdm]

Forked from: Impact of mechanics on roleplay

Finally, the system impacts what the character can do and that impacts the roleplaying. I've often played pacifists in RPGs. 2e, 3e, and Shandowrun. But 4e makes this _really_ hard. The siloing of powers means that I _will_ have these powers I'll never ever use. In other games I could swap them out for "utilities" if you will. But not in 4e. (btw, I _really_ enjoy 4e and over the edge but both have rule issues that can impact roleplaying/character ideas in odd ways), as do most games...

So, I'm curious — does it seem likely that future expansions will provide enough alternative powers that this becomes no longer an issue? Or is the game-philosophy of "if you're not attacking, you're not pulling your weight" going to be consistent?

Question 2: In 3E, this is basically only a good option for clerics — you can be the medic — or maybe for a summoner who attacks by proxy. Are there other "pacifist" roles that can still contribute to the party in combat encounters in a full way in a "normal" D&D game? (That is, one where the DM isn't specifically running the campaign with this in mind.)

 

[Fallen Seraph]

I suspect there will be more, considering that for example books like the Martial Power will obviously add more Powers like Utilities.

One Houserule I have is that if you wish a Power that has a sideffect that must be activated on a successful/or simply an attack can be activated anyways (if the sideffect is one that makes sense not having to have an attack).

It works fine for me, since I view many of these Powers as being multi-stage ones, ie: the power says on a successful attack you cast a shield on your ally, some people view that the attack triggers that. In my eyes their separate events united as a single Power.

 

[Shroomy]

I don't think we'll see anything in 4e equivalent to the third edition Healer class; personally, I don't think they're popular enough to justify inclusion in a sourcebook (maybe a Dragon article). However, while not strictly pacifistic, at your discretion, you can still knock creatures unconscious with attack powers if you reduce your enemy to 0 hit points. That rule and a judicious selection of powers and feats should be able to replicate this type of character.

 

[yesnomu]

It seems doubtful-- 4e is designed so that everyone will be able to pull their weight in combat to some extent. Even if you take nothing but Skill Training, Skill Focus and Linguist feats, you'll still be able to help out in fights.

I could see possibly a damage-less controller that boosts allies' damage, and has more ways than the wizard to keep enemies knocked out or stuck in place. That could be pretty interesting, actually. I might have to work on that.

 

[Gort]

If you're such a pacifist, why do you go around with a heavily-armed gang that kills things and takes their stuff? I would've thought that would be a fairly huge problem for the character.

That said, I've always been a fan of the non-lethal character in games like Shadowrun. Sneaking around with dartguns, silenced pistols with gel rounds, and tasers, knocking guards unconscious instead of killing them, always appealed to me. After all, these guys are just doing their jobs like everyone else, no need for them to die.

However, in games like D&D there are so many monsters that are simply Evil with a capital E, with no redeeming features at all. Monsters that eat your brain and love every minute of it. I don't really see pacifism as being a sustainable philosophy in the face of that.

 

[frankthedm]

Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst.
-- Robert A. Heinlein

If you're such a pacifist, why do you go around with a heavily-armed gang that kills things and takes their stuff? I would've thought that would be a fairly huge problem for the character.

Agreed.

That said, I've always been a fan of the non-lethal character in games like Shadowrun. Sneaking around with dartguns, silenced pistols with gel rounds, and tasers, knocking guards unconscious instead of killing them, always appealed to me. After all, these guys are just doing their jobs like everyone else, no need for them to die.

Plenty of reason. They have stood up to be counted with {paid by] the Enemy. They sold their souls when they signed their first paychecks.

 

[tsadkiel]

However, while not strictly pacifistic, at your discretion, you can still knock creatures unconscious with attack powers if you reduce your enemy to 0 hit points.

Yes. My Shire Halfling Warlock hasn't killed anything yet; if he ever does, it will be a big deal.