Morale

[Ahnehnois]

Generally, I think it's best that character decisions be made by people, not the rules.

Deciding if monsters retreat or surrender is the province of the DM. It's definitely something that could be emphasized more.

I suppose morale rules might have a place in a wargaming supplement, as they did in 3.5. As with all rules, if you're going to use them, they should apply equally to PCs and NPCs.

 

[Frostmarrow]

I think morale should exist as a reminder word in the monster stablocks. It could look like this:

Goblin, Morale: Cowardly
Skeleton, Morale: Relentless
Dragon, Morale: Arrogant

I don't think we need a morale scale or rolls versus morale. The reminder word is just something the DM can be influenced by when controlling the monsters.

 

[Mattachine]

It's one of the old school rules that should be optional, if included at all.

 

[Shroomy]

IMO, morale is too dependent on context to express in a numerical value in a stat block, especially in something like a Monster Manual. I think that general attitudes should be covered in the monster fluff and more specifics reserved for encounters within an adventure.

 

[amerigoV]

I voted Other, Lemme Explain:

I like the concept of morale for monsters. It reminds DMs that not every single thing in the world is there to be put to the sword by the PCs. However, D&D has never done chases very well (maybe a 4e skill challenge, but I have not played enough 4e to know if you can whip them up on the fly).

Otherwise, morale rules are useless if there is not a fast and fun way to resolve a chase when the monsters break off the encounter.

 

[KarinsDad]

I think that the rules should be simple and needless rules should be yanked from the game system.

This is a needless rule. DMs are there to adjudicate the situation, let the DM decide. If the DM doesn't like deciding something like this without a die roll, let the DM create his own personal house rule.

And morale rules should never apply to PCs. A magical Fear effect, sure. Morale? Nope.


Just because somebody can think of a rule doesn't mean that it should be implemented. That's part of the issue with rule's bloat from all editions.

 

[Yora]

Generally, I think it's best that character decisions be made by people, not the rules.

Deciding if monsters retreat or surrender is the province of the DM. It's definitely something that could be emphasized more.

I suppose morale rules might have a place in a wargaming supplement, as they did in 3.5. As with all rules, if you're going to use them, they should apply equally to PCs and NPCs.

Yes, but it helps particularly new DMs a lot to have a guideline that reminds them that this is a choice they can make. Even myself, I've almost never think of making monsters retreat when the battle has turned against them. It doesn't need to be a complex rule, but it makes a huge difference if there is a rule, or just a small sentence somwhere in the DMG "sometimes when monsters are loosing, they flee to save their lifes".
Just because a DM can decide something himself, it doesn't mean he does not appreciated being reminded of it.

 

[Ahnehnois]

Yes, but it helps particularly new DMs a lot to have a guideline that reminds them that this is a choice they can make. Even myself, I've almost never think of making monsters retreat when the battle has turned against them. It doesn't need to be a complex rule, but it makes a huge difference if there is a rule, or just a small sentence somwhere in the DMG "sometimes when monsters are loosing, they flee to save their lifes".
Just because a DM can decide something himself, it doesn't mean he does not appreciated being reminded of it.

I agree, which is why I thought [MENTION=1122]Frostmarrow[/MENTION]'s suggestion was a good one.

 

[grimslade]

I don't think morale is a needless rule. I think it works well as an optional rule and provides for many different subsystems, bolstering and turning undead, rallying troops, breaking a siege. NPC only obviously, PCs are crazy so morale is not for them. The question becomes should it be resolved any different than any other save mechanic? I don't know that d6 or d10s are needed. Keep it in line with the save/skill/ability score mechanic and leave it optional. It could be a small sidebar and not take up much text from the rules.

 

[Rhenny]

I like to decide when creatures surrender or run, but it is nice to have a mechanic in the game to help at times. For a DM who is not sure...when in doubt...roll a wisdom check or something.