My daughter doesn't like combat..what's 4e got left?
- Thread starter Emirikol
- Start date
The Little Raven
First Post
The real question is "What do they want from gaming?"
Fallen Seraph
First Post
SKILL CHALLENGES!!! *cough*
But seriously, skill challenges can be used to have a good amount of dice-rolling and mechanics in the game but without combat. You can have lots of diplomatic and discussion situations and chases through the streets, etc.
You can have investigative campaigns, diplomatic campaigns, etc. Basically you got an idea and it can work in 4e. So any kind of campaign they would like to play out, I think be doable with skill challenges and for more on the fly stuff page 42.
But seriously, skill challenges can be used to have a good amount of dice-rolling and mechanics in the game but without combat. You can have lots of diplomatic and discussion situations and chases through the streets, etc.
You can have investigative campaigns, diplomatic campaigns, etc. Basically you got an idea and it can work in 4e. So any kind of campaign they would like to play out, I think be doable with skill challenges and for more on the fly stuff page 42.
D&D is combat oriented (hence "dungeons" and "dragons") so that's what it has all the rules for. Without combat, some options left are ...
*murder mystery
*political intrigue
*other social encounter focused scenarios
*skill challenges (i guess mainly to overcome social encounters that they don't feel they can role play)
*overcoming a series of traps
*have them take a more upper-level approach to it, making them rulers (or towns or countries) and it is more like playing a game of SimCity where they have to make sure enough is put in to education and skill trades, etc.
Just be aware that you won't get much out of 90% of the rules (or any rule set of this style).
That's all I can think of at the moment anyway.
*murder mystery
*political intrigue
*other social encounter focused scenarios
*skill challenges (i guess mainly to overcome social encounters that they don't feel they can role play)
*overcoming a series of traps
*have them take a more upper-level approach to it, making them rulers (or towns or countries) and it is more like playing a game of SimCity where they have to make sure enough is put in to education and skill trades, etc.
Just be aware that you won't get much out of 90% of the rules (or any rule set of this style).
That's all I can think of at the moment anyway.
Sometimes you must choose a different tool -unless your goal is different than solving problems that the tools are made for. Anyway I suggest trying "Dying Earth". Good mechanics for non combat situations.
Woas
First Post
Armed and Arcane conflict really is just part of the package when it comes to Dungeons & Dragons... any edition. So it might not be the platform of RPGing you use to introduce to your daughters.
Would you like suggestions for other potential systems that doesn't revolve so much about the physical fighting?
Would you like suggestions for other potential systems that doesn't revolve so much about the physical fighting?
If you insist of using D&D as your RPG of choice, skill challenges are a great way to handle non-combat challenges, although you are probably better off, if you use the rules as loose guidelines. However, if she is not interested in the gamist aspect, I would suggest a simpler storytelling game. My personal favorite is Everway, she might dig all the pretty cards.
blargney the second
blargney the minute's son
Well, make sure their characters are capable of doing whatever it is they want to do. If they'd rather talk to people than kill them, then Skill Training (Diplomacy) is a better feat choice than Weapon Focus. Similarly, there are plenty of utility powers that can help in non-combat situations, such as the ranger's Crucial Advice.
I'd also suggest starting them a little higher than first level. They'll have access to enough utilities and feats to have a shot at making decent non-combat-oriented characters.
Finally, it sounds like a more black and white game might make fighting things more palatable to them. So if there's something to be killed, make sure it's something they'd unequivocally not mind killing. (ie blatantly bad, or a really icky ooze that makes moms mad, etc)
I'd also suggest starting them a little higher than first level. They'll have access to enough utilities and feats to have a shot at making decent non-combat-oriented characters.
Finally, it sounds like a more black and white game might make fighting things more palatable to them. So if there's something to be killed, make sure it's something they'd unequivocally not mind killing. (ie blatantly bad, or a really icky ooze that makes moms mad, etc)
Obryn
Hero
I'd say it kinda depends on their age.
If they're younger, 4e's simplicity with skills will probably appeal to them. They don't want to fight? Well, you don't need to concentrate on the combat aspects so much.
Try shifting around Utility powers for Combat powers, for example. That may let them shine a little better.
If they're older, don't want to do any fighting, and are mature enough to pore through spell lists and manage skill points, 3.5 may offer more for them.
Honestly, though, I'd go oldschool and break out the RC or the Basic set. Most of your roleplaying will be freeform, but hey - that can work pretty darn well, especially with casual or new gamers.
-O
If they're younger, 4e's simplicity with skills will probably appeal to them. They don't want to fight? Well, you don't need to concentrate on the combat aspects so much.
Try shifting around Utility powers for Combat powers, for example. That may let them shine a little better.
If they're older, don't want to do any fighting, and are mature enough to pore through spell lists and manage skill points, 3.5 may offer more for them.
Honestly, though, I'd go oldschool and break out the RC or the Basic set. Most of your roleplaying will be freeform, but hey - that can work pretty darn well, especially with casual or new gamers.
-O
