LightPhoenix
First Post
I was just wondering how the campaign was going... comments on the HCR ruleset actually in use would be appreciated.
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Lazybones - Crossroads HCR
- Thread starter LightPhoenix
- Start date
Lazybones
Adventurer
So far it's going great. I've run two sessions for one group and the first session for a new group is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. Unbelievably, no one has died yet, other than in a faction glitch when all my NPCs turned on a player.
One thing I've noticed is that you have to be REALLY careful with 1st level PCs. I got around this by creating a mini-intro quest sending the PCs into the abandoned mine to fight a toned-down batch of beetles, zombies, stirges, and goblins. By the time they made it to Vorlag's Ruin they were all nearly 2nd level.
Once the group makes it to 2nd level you can take the gloves off, so to speak. I had toned down my encounters one notch (hard to normal, normal to easy), but now realize that this was not necessary (unfortunately for tomorrow's group
).
Also, I set xp to 150 (50% DMG), but advancement was too rapid. I noticed that the new versions of HCR sets it to 75 (25% DMG), and I'm going to stick with this (again, sadly for tomorrow's group).
I only use the bleeding/death, rest limits/bedrolls, HCR XP, and monster summoning durations; everything else is toggled off. Some players commented that they didn't mind stuff like the food rules but I personally find such micromanagement cumbersome and boring.
I'm using Fugue and it works, but may toggle it off in future games. It doesn't really add anything, IMO.
I suspect the real test lies ahead, though, when I start losing 1st level characters. My first group was really, really good, and when people went down bleeding they jumped right on it.
One other thing to note: I'm being VERY careful with monsters that have high critical hit multipliers, and have pretty much taken insta-kill creatures out of the games I've converted so far. The bodak will make an appearance, I think, but not as a minor side-encounter. I also seeded a number of Raise Dead scrolls throughout the game, and put a fixed number in Alhera's inventory.
One thing I've noticed is that you have to be REALLY careful with 1st level PCs. I got around this by creating a mini-intro quest sending the PCs into the abandoned mine to fight a toned-down batch of beetles, zombies, stirges, and goblins. By the time they made it to Vorlag's Ruin they were all nearly 2nd level.
Once the group makes it to 2nd level you can take the gloves off, so to speak. I had toned down my encounters one notch (hard to normal, normal to easy), but now realize that this was not necessary (unfortunately for tomorrow's group
). Also, I set xp to 150 (50% DMG), but advancement was too rapid. I noticed that the new versions of HCR sets it to 75 (25% DMG), and I'm going to stick with this (again, sadly for tomorrow's group).
I only use the bleeding/death, rest limits/bedrolls, HCR XP, and monster summoning durations; everything else is toggled off. Some players commented that they didn't mind stuff like the food rules but I personally find such micromanagement cumbersome and boring.
I'm using Fugue and it works, but may toggle it off in future games. It doesn't really add anything, IMO.
I suspect the real test lies ahead, though, when I start losing 1st level characters. My first group was really, really good, and when people went down bleeding they jumped right on it.
One other thing to note: I'm being VERY careful with monsters that have high critical hit multipliers, and have pretty much taken insta-kill creatures out of the games I've converted so far. The bodak will make an appearance, I think, but not as a minor side-encounter. I also seeded a number of Raise Dead scrolls throughout the game, and put a fixed number in Alhera's inventory.
Bagpuss
Legend
Problem I've found with bleeding rules is you tend to go through potions and the like much quicker than you would normally. Since in a normal game you would just die.
Potions and even one shot cure minor wounds "healing herb" type items can be very expensive to a 1st level character especially in games where looting every barrel in sight for gold is not encouraged.
I do love the bleeding rules though as it does make the party have to work as a team to look after each other.
Potions and even one shot cure minor wounds "healing herb" type items can be very expensive to a 1st level character especially in games where looting every barrel in sight for gold is not encouraged.
I do love the bleeding rules though as it does make the party have to work as a team to look after each other.
Lazybones
Adventurer
Good point, Bagpuss; I modified one of the HCR items to create "bandages" that stabilize a dying character; each set comes with 2 charges and costs 10gp. I may even make them a little cheaper if they get a lot of use.
Oh, and I delete all the default scripts on my containers, so the players can look all they want, they'll only find what I put there.
Oh, and I delete all the default scripts on my containers, so the players can look all they want, they'll only find what I put there.
Bagpuss
Legend
Got to play in a Lazybones Crossroads game with Lazybones as DM. The module works much better with a DM. I think LB has scripted enough to make his job much easier, which is his intention I believe.
It maybe a little barren for a single player mod with no DM, and no one else to talk to. But with players and a DM it is a lot of fun.
One thing I think from playing online in groups I've spotted is that, I don't think I'll script NPC talking without being spoken to.
Sure it adds flavour and makes the place real colourful and its great in a single player game. But when you have 4 PC's and a DM all talking at the same time and throw in 3 or for Tavern Patrons, it becomes tricky to follow the flow of conversation or scroll back to find important information.
If I was really into scripting I'd put a lever in the starting common room to pull to set it either single player or multiplayer and adjust campaign variables such as encounter differculties or NPC speech accordingly but thats too much work IMHO.
It maybe a little barren for a single player mod with no DM, and no one else to talk to. But with players and a DM it is a lot of fun.
One thing I think from playing online in groups I've spotted is that, I don't think I'll script NPC talking without being spoken to.
Sure it adds flavour and makes the place real colourful and its great in a single player game. But when you have 4 PC's and a DM all talking at the same time and throw in 3 or for Tavern Patrons, it becomes tricky to follow the flow of conversation or scroll back to find important information.
If I was really into scripting I'd put a lever in the starting common room to pull to set it either single player or multiplayer and adjust campaign variables such as encounter differculties or NPC speech accordingly but thats too much work IMHO.
Thanee
First Post
I also like the bleeding rules, because they usually make the party work together and not just run into the enemies and mindlessly try to kill everyone.
It's also good to have harsh penalties for dying. In one module they even give permanent level loss for respawning (havn't tried it yet)!
Bye
Thanee
It's also good to have harsh penalties for dying. In one module they even give permanent level loss for respawning (havn't tried it yet)!
Bye
Thanee
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