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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ExploderWizard" data-source="post: 6470159" data-attributes="member: 66434">Even stupid monsters want to survive. Mindless constructs might just keep plodding along according to its instructions, but stupid monsters may flee sometimes too. A giant spider popping out of it's lair to snag a quick meal might hastily retreat if the food hurts it too much. It just wants to eat, not fight a protracted battle to the death. Intelligent foes who know they are not likely to escape will bargain and say anything to make foes consider them more valuable alive than dead. If they have no actual value alive to their opponents then they will make something up to buy time to think of a plan. Personality is as important as intellect or wits when considering tactics. A highly arrogant foe with a superiority complex combined with a desire to see his enemies suffer and revels in having others witness his awesome power will take extra risks to capture enemies alive. The classic Bond villain. Smart foes who operate with ruthless efficiency are among the most dangerous. Assassins who never leave witnesses, etc. I prefer to establish motives for most npcs and monsters and let that guide their tactics and responses. A regular bandit who is just out to make some dishonest cash is very different from a thug in service to the Temple of Elemental Evil.</blockquote>