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What do you think of high-level PCs holding back? What do you think of the arguments presented below? Will they frequently apply to PCs? To your group?
High-level PCs are powerful heroes whose reputation precedes them. They have amassed great power and should be allowed to put it to brilliant use. That said, there are times when, strategically, the PCs will not want to bring the full force of their power to bear. While it might be both satisfying and effective to cast hold person on the thief fleeing with your stolen treasure, there are good reasons why a PC might hold back:
1. A sporting chance: Bravado is a common trait of heroic figures. The idea that a master of some art loves to be tested may lead to PCs choosing not to try other options just for the joy of testing themselves (and proving their superiority!). Perhaps the PC simply doesn’t believe that anyone could pull a fast one on them. In either case, such role-playing merits extra experience points, anywhere from 10 to 20 times the character’s level.
2. Conservation of energy: You never know when you’re going to need those vastly powerful yet limited resources, so it is better to keep them stored up for truly desperate situations.
3. I’ve got a reputation to maintain: In the case of reputable heroes, sending the entire party against a meager thief and interrogating him with force and magic would be detestable to anyone observing. Such a disproportionate response is never seen as heroic. When others witness or learn of the PC’s dishonorable actions, their reputations could suffer.
4. Observed by their enemies: In this case, a PC might not want to give away her hand too son to her enemies. Once an enemy knows a PC’s strengths, they can tailor defenses to counteract those strength. Embroiled in political intrigue, the PCs often won’t know when their enemy’s servants are observing them.
High-level PCs are powerful heroes whose reputation precedes them. They have amassed great power and should be allowed to put it to brilliant use. That said, there are times when, strategically, the PCs will not want to bring the full force of their power to bear. While it might be both satisfying and effective to cast hold person on the thief fleeing with your stolen treasure, there are good reasons why a PC might hold back:
1. A sporting chance: Bravado is a common trait of heroic figures. The idea that a master of some art loves to be tested may lead to PCs choosing not to try other options just for the joy of testing themselves (and proving their superiority!). Perhaps the PC simply doesn’t believe that anyone could pull a fast one on them. In either case, such role-playing merits extra experience points, anywhere from 10 to 20 times the character’s level.
2. Conservation of energy: You never know when you’re going to need those vastly powerful yet limited resources, so it is better to keep them stored up for truly desperate situations.
3. I’ve got a reputation to maintain: In the case of reputable heroes, sending the entire party against a meager thief and interrogating him with force and magic would be detestable to anyone observing. Such a disproportionate response is never seen as heroic. When others witness or learn of the PC’s dishonorable actions, their reputations could suffer.
4. Observed by their enemies: In this case, a PC might not want to give away her hand too son to her enemies. Once an enemy knows a PC’s strengths, they can tailor defenses to counteract those strength. Embroiled in political intrigue, the PCs often won’t know when their enemy’s servants are observing them.
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