Playtesting: IG's 'The Making of Heroes'

[industrygothica]

I was a little worried about the bear's CR and her potential to take out a 1st level PC with one hit, but it looks like things will work out. I may use a wolf in the face-to-face game, just for a little extra insurance. Thoughts?

 

[OnlytheStrong]

The bear isn't bad, but I think it all depends on how your party is set up. A raging barbarian (with good rolls) could kill the bear by himself. For storytelling purposes, I would use some sort of animal that hunts alone, so that they aren't wondering where the heck the pack is. Unless that is what your going for

 

[industrygothica]

The bear isn't bad, but I think it all depends on how your party is set up. A raging barbarian (with good rolls) could kill the bear by himself. For storytelling purposes, I would use some sort of animal that hunts alone, so that they aren't wondering where the heck the pack is. Unless that is what your going for

Nope, and that's actually why I used the bear here - I was just thinking that it might be a bit much for new players.

 

[Arkhandus]

Yeah. It might be a bit strong for new players to face, but it all depends. It's certainly within their ability to defeat it, but it kind of depends on how they react for the first round or two.

I don't think another kind of animal is needed, but maybe for the new folks, have the bear be Fatigued, so it can't run or charge and gets -2 Strength and Dexterity. How and why it got fatigued I'm not sure, but maybe something else drove it away from its den, and it's been searching for a decent meal ever since. I dunno.

 

[Legildur]

Barring a critical hit, most 1st level warriors wouldn't be killed. If there is a cleric on board then they would be okay afterwards. And if it starts to get ugly, then you could have the wounded animal flee - which is not an unreasonable response.

 

[industrygothica]

Barring a critical hit, most 1st level warriors wouldn't be killed. If there is a cleric on board then they would be okay afterwards. And if it starts to get ugly, then you could have the wounded animal flee - which is not an unreasonable response.

Assuming, of course, that it's not the cleric that went charging in nearly getting himself killed. But I don't know anyone that'd do that.

But you're right in that fleeing is a perfectly reasonable response, and a quick way out of a bad situation. Not a bad option at all.

Yeah. It might be a bit strong for new players to face, but it all depends. It's certainly within their ability to defeat it, but it kind of depends on how they react for the first round or two.

I don't think another kind of animal is needed, but maybe for the new folks, have the bear be Fatigued, so it can't run or charge and gets -2 Strength and Dexterity. How and why it got fatigued I'm not sure, but maybe something else drove it away from its den, and it's been searching for a decent meal ever since. I dunno.

I suppose there's also nothing that says I can't start it at half hit points... maybe already injured from a trap set out by an overzealous hunter wanting to get an early start on the season? Hell, that's another adventure right there... who's killing all the animals?

Maybe for level 2.

 

[Arkhandus]

Well, making it injured would just make it more likely to drop in the first or second round (possibly before it gets to do anything, if the party goes at it with bows and crossbows right off the bat). Fatigue just means it won't charge anyone 1st round (just move and attack once normally, or double-move) and will hit a bit less hard with a bit less accuracy.

The only real danger in it is that the bear can probably maul a warrior to unconsciousness or death in 1 round of full-attack. Otherwise, the party cleric or whatnot could likely keep the first victim alive while the group works together to slay it.

Still, it's probably within their abilities as-is, I'm just thinking that fatigue might mitigate the chances of the party losing 1 or 2 reckless newbies in their first battle (though otherwise unlikely).

 

[Arkhandus]

OOC note on the IC thread: Irathias dropped his bow last round after shooting, and drew his sword. He would've charged this round.

 

[industrygothica]

Jorgan DeLansing

Would you believe that I've already got a history planned out for this kid, and here you go trying to send him back through the woods in the dead of night all by himself. Geez!

 

[WarShrike]

I don't see the bear playing with it's food. I'd put the kid up in a tree. Also, a bear gets 3 attacks during a full attack, so that theoretical enraged charging barbarian better kill it with one attack, or he's dead. I might use a boar as they only have 1 attack.