Leadership

[Boddha]

Could anyone help me by explaining how the Leadership feat from the DMG works? I'm having trouble getting my head around it, with both the number of followers gained and what level they can be.

Thanks.

 

[Thanee]

It's fairly simple.

You first calculate your Leadership score, which is character level + Charisma modifier + other modifiers (from the table, those require a bit guesswork, if they apply).

Then you look up your Leadership score in the appropriate table, i.e. with a Ld score of 15, you have 20 1st-level followers, 2 2nd-level and 1 3rd-level follower.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Pinotage]

And, of course, the cohort, which can't be more than 2 levels lower than your character level in level. So a 12th Level PC, despite a high leadership score, can't have a cohort above 10th level. Cohorts gain XP based on the ratio between the character and the cohort's level. so in the above case, the cohort will gain 10/12 XP per XP the character gains, but this won't be part of the party's XP share, i.e. cohorts don't use party XP.

Pinotage

 

[Boddha]

So a 12th level character with a Leadership score of 15 could have a cohort of level 10 and 20 1st level followers, 2 2nd level followers and one follower of third level.

I was going wrong by not distinguishing between followers and cohorts.

I take it I am right in assuming the mechanics are largely the same for the Thrallherd ability of a Thrallherd?

Thanks.

 

[Thanee]

Yep, you can attract a single cohort and a number of followers. The cohort is meant to accompany you on adventures and such, act as a bodyguard or loyal sidekick, while the followers are often left behind to tend to your base, guard duties, and so on.

The Thrallherd is based on Leadership, yes, so they would work similar (except for the differences noted, of course).

Bye
Thanee

 

[Jack Simth]

So a 12th level character with a Leadership score of 15 could have a cohort of level 10 and 20 1st level followers, 2 2nd level followers and one follower of third level.

I was going wrong by not distinguishing between followers and cohorts.

I take it I am right in assuming the mechanics are largely the same for the Thrallherd ability of a Thrallherd?

Thanks.

The thrallherd will usually have a greater number of of believers than a leader will have followers (thrallherd levels are counted twice), and will commonly have a higher-level thrall (caps off at one level below the thrallherd) than the leader will have cohort. A highest-level thrallherd (10th) will even get a second thrall.

Also, as there aren't any situational modifiers to a Thrallherd's "leadership" score, the thrallherd can KILL HIS OWN THRALLS at minimum penalty (a 24-hour delay until it's replaced!).