I'm working on a dungeon GoD, but I got some questions

[clockworkjoe]

I'm writing up some rules and a scenario for a dungeon Game of Death. It's basically a team event, divided into good, neutral, and evil teams. I don't want to go into details yet, but I have a few questions:

1. How can I balance a standard monster against a PC? I want to give the evil players the choice of a 9th level character or a monster equal to that. And by monster, I mean a standard monster, one without templates or class levels.

2. How can I balance a tribe of evil humanoids versus a human warrior militia?

3. Are there any tools out there I should be aware of to make running such a game easier?

 

[CRGreathouse]

1. ECL - see the FRCS
2. EL - see the DMG
3. Not that I know of, though I'm sure lots of people have tools they *say* would make it easier.

 

[clockworkjoe]

1. ECL - see the FRCS

Don't have FRCS. What else can I do besides buying a $30 book?

 

[Victim]

There's some dragon magazine that has a more complete list of ECLs, including several revisions.

 

[Psychotic Dreamer]

I think they dragon issue is 293.

 

[clockworkjoe]

I'll pick that issue up then.

 

[Number47]

The most important thing is, make sure that the equipment is equal, too! A ninth-level character has a LOT more expendable magic than the standard monster.

 

[clockworkjoe]

The most important thing is, make sure that the equipment is equal, too! A ninth-level character has a LOT more expendable magic than the standard monster.

Monsters generally know where the traps are too. Don't forget that this GoD will be on the monster's home turf.

 

[jdfrenzel]

1. How can I balance a standard monster against a PC? I want to give the evil players the choice of a 9th level character or a monster equal to that. And by monster, I mean a standard monster, one without templates or class levels.

We did something similiar for a local con one-off, though the monsters had class levels too. We found the ECLs of the monsters to be a bit low, especially for monsters with a big strength bonus or reach. I'd add +1 generally to the monster ECLs. Number47 makes a very good point about magic too.

2. How can I balance a tribe of evil humanoids versus a human warrior militia?

Hmm, there's a long answer to this, but generally, if AC, hit points, attack bonuses and average damage are roughly equal, then equal numbers should work fine. Watch out for high STR! A standard MM orc, with 15 STR and a greataxe, will do enough to drop an average warrior (4 hp) everytime he hits!

Also, keep reach and missile power equal. I usually use no reach and a weak thrown weapon (like a throwing axe) to make life easier.

If you're interested in more detail about comparing larger forces, drop me an email and I'll give you some (mathematical) guidelines.

--- John

 

[clockworkjoe]

Re: Re: I'm working on a dungeon GoD, but I got some questions

Hmm, there's a long answer to this, but generally, if AC, hit points, attack bonuses and average damage are roughly equal, then equal numbers should work fine. Watch out for high STR! A standard MM orc, with 15 STR and a greataxe, will do enough to drop an average warrior (4 hp) everytime he hits!

Also, keep reach and missile power equal. I usually use no reach and a weak thrown weapon (like a throwing axe) to make life easier.

If you're interested in more detail about comparing larger forces, drop me an email and I'll give you some (mathematical) guidelines.

--- John

Thanks for the advice but I've decided to base all large forces off the leadership feat. So it won't be fair exactly, but that's what makes life interesting