Is it wrong for Troll's to fight defensively?

[ThomasBJJ]

I was just wondering what my fellow DM's thought about a Troll "Fighting Defensively"? Are they smart enough to do it. Is it kinda unfair?

My PC's seemed to think that it was odd. I looked at it like this, they dealt massive damage in the first 2 rounds, so... since it knew it could regenerate, why not buy some time and fight defensively until he was out of danger.

Nothing serious, just wondering.

 

[Crothian]

Seems perfectly fine by me. Fighting defensively does not have an Int requirement like Expertise, so should be allowed by almost anything. A troll is very familiar with its own powers, so allowing it to use them to the best of its ability is also perfectly fine.

 

[Valicor]

Seems legit to me. No where does it say Troll's are just there do absorb damage.

 

[ThomasBJJ]

Thats what I though, but I think all the players said simultaneously "He's Fighting Defensively?!?!?!?!"

 

[Crothian]

Thats what I though, but I think all the players said simultaneously "He's Fighting Defensively?!?!?!?!"

Good, you caught them all off gaurd. Teach them to respect their enimies more. They underestimated it.

 

[Valicor]

sounds like your player characters didn't have a high intelligence. Seems to me like the troll had a higher int score.

 

[Dr. Zoom]

The average troll has an Int of 6 and a Wis of 9. Not a genius, but more than capable of using basic defensive maneuvers to its advantage, especially when it mixes so well with its regeneration.

 

[Psyduck]

Remember, even animals fight defensively (In Real Life). Cats that are cornered are not gonna go all out offense. They will fight defensively. I think that fighting defensively could be either triggered by fear or instinct, which trolls do have.

 

[Ferret]

If I was a troll, and I was cornered, I'd fight real mad. But if I was a manatie(Real peaceful) I'd have Barbarian lvl to so that just does to show how biasses it is!

 

[Mephistopheles]

Your players might have been scared by the idea of the DM letting their enemies use some of those buffers that players love to use so often. Showing disapproval for something is a common way to attempt to discourage someone from doing something while also trying to avoid showing that it concerns you. Just give them an evil DM grin and then up the ante by having the trolls go on total defense while they try to regroup after the fierce onslaught the PCs are dishing out. See how much they disapprove of that.