Hirelings

[Scribble]

So what do people think of the Hirelings Excerpt?

I like it... Mainly because it's pretty close to what I was doing already. (Although I didn't break things like "torch" out into a specific trait...

 

[Nemesis Destiny]

I like that they're making this into official rules. Several months back they released this content as an article in their "Unearthed Arcana" series. It was one of the best ones that they did.

Just looked it up - Dragon 397.

 

[Bold or Stupid]

So what do people think of the Hirelings Excerpt?

I like it... Mainly because it's pretty close to what I was doing already. (Although I didn't break things like "torch" out into a specific trait...

The best thing is we now know that picking up a torch grants you special power!!!

Looks good. Time to start converting 1e killer dungeons. Send in the Henchman first!!!!

 

[Scribble]

I like that they're making this into official rules. Several months back they released this content as an article in their "Unearthed Arcana" series. It was one of the best ones that they did.

Just looked it up - Dragon 397.

Wow how did I miss this???

Thanks!

 

[Nemesis Destiny]

I dunno man. It was during the fiercest times of everyone posting about how much the lack of content at the time sucked, and how WotC and D&D were scrambling like rats on a sinking ship, and that they were going to "cancel" the game. That, and they had just switched from compiled issues to individual articles two months before this came out. So if you missed some of the good articles they put out during that time, it's kind of understandable.

And you're welcome

 

[Scribble]

I wonder if this means they'll go into the compendium?

 

[Rechan]

What are hirelings for?

Back in the Day they were for carrying loot and serving as cannonfodder because things were so deadly.

Now, no need for carrying anything and PCs can duke it out with anything that comes at them which isn't 10 levels above them.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

I didn't much like the concept, actually, as it still leave a massive hole, mainly, that it's just common sense for monsters to pick them off. Smart monsters will weaken the PCs this way, dumber ones will just eat the easiest, non-metal-covered targets. And if combat breaks out while hirelings are there, it becomes a chore keeping track of the minions. (Also, the monsters won't necessarily know to target the PCs, making things easier in the short run, again, this depends on the intelligence of the opponents.)

Having said that, I slapped those traits onto minions. (Not all of them. Linkboy? Nah... Sage is a good one.)

 

[KidSnide]

I am totally going to send a party of 2 full characters, 3 henchmen and two dozen hirelings through the Tomb of Horrors.

"Bring in the next link boy!"

-KS

 

[Colmarr]

Could it work to treat hirelings like the early Figurines of Wondrous power?

Ie. a PC can sacrifice a healing surge at the start of the day to give the hireling that many temporary hit points?

Consider it plot armour. I like the idea of a link boy or a sage accompanying adventurers, but I dislike the almost instantaneous death that they can expect.