Playing monsters "smart"

[Dannyalcatraz]

Some general rules for playing a monster intelligently

#1 Set up the encounter like it was your own PC. Assess its strengths and weakesses, INCLUDING ITS PERSONALITY- a creature noted for being a crafty spellcaster will fight differently from one of the same species that prefers the "fangs on" approach.

#2 Let the monster use its environment, including appropriate modifications to said environment. Kobolds, for instance, would use traps, decoys, and their superior mobility to fight opponents in their warrens, and they wouldn't fight opponents outside their warrens unless they have no choice.

#3 Even smart, powerful monsters can fight dirty. I once ran a dragon encounter where the dragon started off by pushing its treasure at the party in a huge wave- you're not too mobile when you're up to your waist in CP, SP and GP. THEN it used its firey breath weapon...

#4 Mobile critters should use their mobility, not just as a bonus to their AC, but to control the battlespace. They should use hit-and-run tactics to fight opponents more physically powerful then they are, and use tactical retreats to set up ambushes. They may also use weapons to reduce the mobility of their opponents, like caltrops, nets, glues, marbles, darkness spells, etc.

#5 Very few creatures will stand and fight to the death, especially smart ones. Let them flee and regroup. Give them escape plans and exit strategies.

#6 Deception, Deception, Deception. Smart opponents will use Bluff, Disguise, Smoke bombs, Chamouflage, Illusions, etc. to make their opponents think something is harmless when its not, and vice versa. Controlled confusion is your friend if you're controlling the confusing.

#7 Smart creatures will soften up their opponents before the "final attack" if they can. This can be traps, bombs, hit-and-run tactics, or even picking off 1 opponent at a time... "Divide Et Empirum" (Divide and Conquer) works at ALL levels of conflct.

 

[Ryltar]

*nitpick*

Spoiler

It's "divide et impera" .

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

[Hijack]I don't think massive damage works the way you think it does. Massive damage forces a save for 50+ points of damage in a single attack, not a single full round action or a single round.

If a 1st level barbarian crits you with his scythefor 51 points of damage, you make the save. If a 20th level fighter hits you five times for 48 points of damage each time, you take 240 points of damage but don't need to make any saves because he didn't do 50+ points on any single hit.[/hijack]

If the characters still have hit points left, they can take their massive damage saves..... And again, if you have hit points left, take your massive damage save.
Being fiendish is even worse: combining the Smite Good attack with the pounce adds another 16 points of damage, virtually guaranteeing a character will need to make a massive damage save and now slaying the paladins and fighters of the party on the initial pounce.

 

[Grazzt]

Nonetheless, are there any general guidelines people would like to offer on how to play monsters/NPCs "smart"? Barring combat notes in the MM, how does one best assess a creature's stats and determine the best course of action for it to take?

Imagine the monster(s) is/are your character(s) and play them like they are fighting for their lives (which they usually are when PCs are encountered).

 

[buzz]

Imagine the monster(s) is/are your character(s) and play them like they are fighting for their lives (which they usually are when PCs are encountered).

If played my characters with tactical wisdom, this would be useful advice. I need to strengthen my tactical-fu in general. Hence my love of Goodman Games' Power Gamer guides.

 

[Endur]

I wouldn't worry too much about tactics. Think about the story foremost.

I mean, look at the Lord of the Rings and the Balrog vs. Gandalf fight. Also known as the Balor from the Monster Manual.

The Balor in the Monster Manual has tons of spell-like abilities and supernatural powers and combat abilities.

The Balrog in the movie primarily used its sword and whip.

Do what you think is fun. You don't have to use every ability, even though there is a player out there that thinks the combat might have ended differently if you used ability X.

 

[Derren]

So basically, put a strong monster before the party and play it as stupid as needed for them to defeat it so that the players feel great...

 

[Seeten]

My issues with this:

Int 1 monsters behaving like they are super geniuses, and never giving out aoo's because they are played "Smart" aka, metagamed and poorly roleplayed.

Int 0 monsters who behave like they have intelligence.

Int 5 monsters, or humanoids, who act like battlefield tacticians, coordinating attacks like a unit thats trained together for centuries, not like a laughable collection of stupid orcs, scrambling over each other to get the first kill/blood/trophy.

You know what I like? The Int 28 Lich acting like a super genius, coordinating his undead in a masterful manner, utilizing everything to its utmost. The Int 24 Balor, using all its tools and weapons like a master planner. The int 5 orc charging into battle, power attacking for more than is necessary for a bigger thwack sound, the int 1 insect charging forward, heedless of aoo's.

Monsters should never be played like its the DM's intelligence controlling them. They should be played as smart as their OWN intelligence. Anything else, to me, is metagaming, and takes away not only from my enjoyment, but also makes my feats like combat reflexes worse than useless, as even the stupidest creature never gives one up.

 

[Cheiromancer]

Great Stuff Celebrim!

I would strongly urge you to turn these into articles. Or a column. Heck, if you can crank 'em out, get them published. I would pay good money for a book showing how to powergame monsters.

And I would read it all the way through. Lessons learned from the Dire Tiger wouldn't have to be repeated for swooping dragons; a note saying (see Dire Tiger) would be enough.

Again, Bravo!

 

[tec-9-7]

My issues with this:

Int 1 monsters behaving like they are super geniuses, and never giving out aoo's because they are played "Smart" aka, metagamed and poorly roleplayed.

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Monsters should never be played like its the DM's intelligence controlling them. They should be played as smart as their OWN intelligence. Anything else, to me, is metagaming, and takes away not only from my enjoyment, but also makes my feats like combat reflexes worse than useless, as even the stupidest creature never gives one up.

This was a great post.