GMs! Let me be cool now and again.

[Nifft]

My campaign story arcs tend to start out with the PCs fighting superior foes, then the PCs learning about the foes, and finally the PCs handing the foes their own hindquarters.

The PCs get more powerful foes not only because the plot or story dictates it, but because they take on harder assignments.

-- Nifft

 

[JoeGKushner]

I agree that there are times when a 10th level fighter, wizard, cleric, etc... needs to strut his stuff.

On the other hand sir, what about getting the stuffing knocked out of you by a foe that clearly outlcasses you?

If you make it realistic one way by not diminishing the orcs, gobos and other 1st level warriors that are so common at lower levels, then what about the creatures at higher levels.

"That's when you realize that the thing you fired at and thought was a lowly gargoyle activates it's flaming aura and pulls out its whip."

 

[demiurge1138]

You know, one of my players was just touching on this issue a few weeks ago. The "goblin fight", as he called it, is an important part of the whole "epic fantasy" feel, and I think it would probably make the people who posted here feel better that this is one GM who plans on doing a Cleave-fest before his campaign runs dry.

Demiurge out.

 

[Christian Walker]

I agree that there are times when a 10th level fighter, wizard, cleric, etc... needs to strut his stuff.

On the other hand sir, what about getting the stuffing knocked out of you by a foe that clearly outlcasses you?

Once again, Joe speaks wisely. As a PC, I don't mind absorbing a shot to the goonies now and again. The experience gives my character a new enemy to hate and I get a preview of the bad guy's bag of' tricks. So yeah, I'm down.


Besides, screaming "Killer GM!" is a lot of fun.

 

[Azure Trance]

I thought the proper ettiquette was "rat bastard"? You're turning into a softie, Chris.

 

[Xael]

Our group once played the "all monsters/characters with CR lower than party level disappear from the world". We decided that this wasn't that fun, and moved to other style. Now, at level 6, we were still killing normal Orcs and Goblins. And liked it. Nothing better than winning 50 goblins (couple ones with levels) with 3-character party, fighting back-to-back. In the end, two characters left standing with like 5 and 4 hit points left (halfawy through the fight, both started to use fight defensively and full expertise not to die...).

*Sigh* Now we're just too busy to play other than once a month for 2 hours or so.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Christian Walker...

You haven't by any chance ever read the comic book series "Powers" by Brian Michael Bendis, have you?

 

[arwink]

I did this once, a long time ago, throwing a party of 17th level characters against an army of ogres, manticores and Hydra's that they could easily handle.

Before the fight, the PC's got to deal with a town guard of fifty that was freaking out over the approaching force, trying to urge the townsfolk to take cover in the nearby hills. THe PC's got to laugh off the danger, tell the town guard to take cover, and strode out on the field of battle where they decimated the force withing seconds.

A couple of months ago, I was talking to one of the players from that game. He credits it as one of his favorite parts of any campaign he's played in, because it truly let him understand exactly how far above the common man his PC had come.

There will always be orcs in my games, and when there are no longer orcs there will be ogres and giants that truly give some inidication of how far beyond 1st level the party has come

 

[Storminator]

I play a high level evil priest in a city campaign. The great thing about cities is that they are packed with low level folks. When you've got +13 intimidate, it's great to be cruising the city. Hell I intimidate waiters, doormen, commoners on the street.

And when some high level duelist calls me out, the streets clear in panic. Somehow those city watchmen never seem to show in time to get in the middle of the fight. They just collect witness statements later.

In fact, one of our best campaign moments (remember, we're evil!) was when we ambushed the Red Wizard in the street. When subtlety went out the window, our necromancy pulled out Dance of Ruin from the BoVD, and all the commoners on the block died.

PS

 

[Gospog]

I am all about having the PCs "mow down the mooks" every now and then.

In my long-running (well, for me) Star Wars campaign, the players just hit 9th level or so.

Last game, I had them investigate a huge ship full of battle droids, so they could go out like Qui Gon and Obi-Wan!

The players loved it, and even the Scoundrel racked up some kills. Granted, they have two MAJOR BBEGs coming up, but I could tell they really enjoyed the game.

And arwink, your idea about the frightened town guard has given me an idea for an upcoming BBEG encounter. If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, consider yourself flattered!