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<blockquote data-quote="(Psi)SeveredHead" data-source="post: 6178675" data-attributes="member: 1165">I don't think soldiers are all bad, if kept at the PC's levels, but I find they're more helpful at slightly higher levels than 1st. If a soldier is given an appropriate mark-punishment ability (such as what a PC defender gets), they can add a tactical element to a fight.In my last Dark Sun session, I used a couple of at-level soldiers to defend a solo brute. They were psychic warriors and used &quot;Lightning Rush&quot; (an immediate interrupt) to &quot;take hits&quot; for the boss. Also they had regeneration, and no that's not a psychic warrior. The PCs responded by dazing the psychic warriors (you can't take immediate or opportunity actions if dazed) rather than be forced to beat up the soldiers before they could get to the boss.You don't need to use daze either. When I use NPC fighters, especially knights, the PCs often use forced movement to &quot;open a gap&quot; between the soldier and the boss, then beat up the boss until the knights return. Soldiers have great AC but their Fort/Ref/Will are average like everyone else's. Spellcasters often deal with them.Just as an aside, use elites a lot. I'm not just talking bosses. If a fight consists of several brutes and a wizard, the PCs will identify and gank the wizard immediately, so make that wizard an elite wizard instead. Same thing if they have a name, are a warlord, or are otherwise distinctive.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="(Psi)SeveredHead, post: 6178675, member: 1165"] I don't think soldiers are all bad, if kept at the PC's levels, but I find they're more helpful at slightly higher levels than 1st. If a soldier is given an appropriate mark-punishment ability (such as what a PC defender gets), they can add a tactical element to a fight. In my last Dark Sun session, I used a couple of at-level soldiers to defend a solo brute. They were psychic warriors and used "Lightning Rush" (an immediate interrupt) to "take hits" for the boss. Also they had regeneration, and no that's not a psychic warrior. The PCs responded by dazing the psychic warriors (you can't take immediate or opportunity actions if dazed) rather than be forced to beat up the soldiers before they could get to the boss. You don't need to use daze either. When I use NPC fighters, especially knights, the PCs often use forced movement to "open a gap" between the soldier and the boss, then beat up the boss until the knights return. Soldiers have great AC but their Fort/Ref/Will are average like everyone else's. Spellcasters often deal with them. Just as an aside, use elites a lot. I'm not just talking bosses. If a fight consists of several brutes and a wizard, the PCs will identify and gank the wizard immediately, so make that wizard an elite wizard instead. Same thing if they have a name, are a warlord, or are otherwise distinctive. [/QUOTE]

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