mercenaries, henchmen and cohorts

[abri]

Due to a house rule in a newly started campaign, I've been wondering: what help can 5-10 L1 warriors bring to a group of L3-4 players?
Ok, red-shirts seems one of the possibilities
But can they trully help?

A regular warrior will have +3 to hit, 10 hit points and maybe AC17.
Let's say you use them as bodyguards for the wizard:
Against melee attack at least 1/round will die, but the wizard will be safe. You have to make sure that they really block access to the wizard and that might interfere with hi LOS. And if the creature has cleave/great cleave, then they don't really help.
Against ranged attack: well they are giving cover to the mage...
Of course the slightest area attack will wipe them of (especially with Magic of Faerun...).


I see them being helpfull out of combat: sacrificial sentinel, watching the prisoners...
Anyone got any experience in using low level mercenaries efficiently?

 

[S'mon]

I see them being helpfull out of combat: sacrificial sentinel, watching the prisoners...
Anyone got any experience in using low level mercenaries efficiently?

Yes - they're good for holding off the big dumb ugly monster (it was an Ettin IMC recently) while the sorcerer zaps it. In 3e, big dumb uglies do so much damage that 3rd level PCs are well advised to avoid going toe to toe with them. They'll kill some Wa1s every round, but a dozen or so will hold it off long enough to hit it with plenty of spells and wear it down.

 

[Wicht]

I would give them each a crossbow or a longbow and use them for ranged attacks in open country - in a dungeon they are just a nuisance IMO. With an attack bonus of +3 (weapon focus, dexterity bonus), against an AC 15, about 4 of them will hit a round. Thats 4d8 points of damage or more a round - a typical CR 4 creature will find that to be a pretty big threat. Plus, they are obtaining combat experience and can level this way.

 

[Sejs]

If they're going to be bodyguards, have 'em fight defensivly to help boost that Ac. Also, possibly look into gearing 'em up with longspears so they can attack whatever it is, before it can get them.

 

[ATO_DM]

If the Warriors accompany your group it is likely that they will have short life-spans. Although, some DMs will give experience to the warriors, and they may become helpful if some of them survive to level 2 or 3.

But, you could also use them as support fire as archers. They'd stay out of harm's way and will do some damage. A couple of them will probably score a hit each round.

Another idea is to use them in non-combat roles. Leave them in whatever town or city you hail from, or is conveniently located. Let them join the town guards, hang out in the taverns, etc. Gathering information for you, OR guarding your base of operations (assuming you have one).

 

[Johno]

Well, at least a couple should be guarding the horses while the party ventures into the dungeon/keep/castle/tower of the BBG... Helps keep the horses alive. Horses left tied to a tree in my campaign tend to be chewed upon by the resident Owlbear/Hippogrif/Wandering Ogre... Or just disappear.

Phalanx style with long spears in narrow corridors is good. A middle level party can easily afford some very good mundane equipment. (Heavy armour, Large shields, Composite long bows)... In the long term this would tend to attract a better kind of warrior (2nd or maybe even third).

Even just as man servants... helping to erect the tent in the evenings, helping guard the camp at night, releaving the party when they are seriously wounded from guard duty. Cooking meals. And as adventure hooks!

 

[alsih2o]

always helpful when you have to lift or push that one nearly immovable thingy, and if the have a different set of skills than other party members they can be very useful...

 

[Bonedagger]

Make them humans. Give them 2x Thoughness. Let them have 12 con.. 1st level warrior hp = 17. They are now not that easily taken down. They can help flank the enemy. Build a living wall around your spellcasters. etc.

 

[ATO_DM]

Here's something I forgot about, and I think most people wouldn't occur to use it. Aid Another, all you need to do is make an attack to hit AC:10, and your buddy who's attacking that baddie gets a +2 to hit or +2 to AC. If the warriors work together they could be quite fearsome.

 

[mmadsen]

Phalanx style with long spears in narrow corridors is good.

Except that you can't turn a corner in a narrow corridor while carrying a 12' to 15' spear. Certainly not as a group.