Rpg's and miniatures
- Thread starter Valmyre
- Start date
Elder-Basilisk
First Post
Because players might want to know whether there is any way to avoid "leaving themselves open to an attack" or if by risking the AoO, they might be able to charge the main bad guy or gain a flanking position on another one.
Miniatures (or some visual representation) are also important to know the effects of your actions. Obviously stepping between two foes leaves you flanked. On the other hand, depending upon the situation, it could make it possible for two other villains to easily flank you as well.
They are also very important if a character wants to know whether they can make a full attack action or are limited to a standard attack. (It's also quite relevant for avoiding being subject to full attacks. . . .) Since you can only move five feet and make a full attack, an accurate knowledge of distances and relative position on the battlefield can make a huge difference.
Miniatures (or some visual representation) are also important to know the effects of your actions. Obviously stepping between two foes leaves you flanked. On the other hand, depending upon the situation, it could make it possible for two other villains to easily flank you as well.
They are also very important if a character wants to know whether they can make a full attack action or are limited to a standard attack. (It's also quite relevant for avoiding being subject to full attacks. . . .) Since you can only move five feet and make a full attack, an accurate knowledge of distances and relative position on the battlefield can make a huge difference.
aNenuphar said:
Trepelano
First Post
I use minis in the game I host because I like to paint them. Still, if I had it to do over - I might avoid them.
Personally, if you aren't into painting minis as a hovvy unto itself, I recommend counters, instead (if anything). They are cheaper and have less impact on the "minds-eye" view of combat.
In fact, I never pull out the minis until the room and monsters have been completely decribed first. I want my players to visualize the combat in their head, not on my table-top.
I alternate weekends with another GM - who runs Cthulhu. We don't use minis in that game - and I strongly discourage the use of minis or counters in a horror-based RPG. The ambiguity of distance and exact location make combat much more frightenting to the players. Also the mental images of "ultimate horror" are much more stimulating than a little pewter figure could ever muster.
This is, of course, only my opinion - feel free to have one of your own.
Personally, if you aren't into painting minis as a hovvy unto itself, I recommend counters, instead (if anything). They are cheaper and have less impact on the "minds-eye" view of combat.
In fact, I never pull out the minis until the room and monsters have been completely decribed first. I want my players to visualize the combat in their head, not on my table-top.
I alternate weekends with another GM - who runs Cthulhu. We don't use minis in that game - and I strongly discourage the use of minis or counters in a horror-based RPG. The ambiguity of distance and exact location make combat much more frightenting to the players. Also the mental images of "ultimate horror" are much more stimulating than a little pewter figure could ever muster.
This is, of course, only my opinion - feel free to have one of your own.
Pielorinho
Iron Fist of Pelor
aNenuphar said:
Quick questions -- try answering these without relying on a graphic representation:
1) How many goblins does it take to surround two PCs?
2) How many will be flanked? How many will flank a PC?
3) How many will threaten each PC? How many will threaten both PCs?
4) How does this change if the two people are standing diagonally to one another, instead of right next to one another?
5) What if they're standing separated by 5'?
Answers:
1) Ten goblins.
2) No goblins will be flanked; all except two of them will flank a PC.
3) Seven will flank each PC; six will flank both PCs.
4) 12 goblins can now surround them all; all but two of them will flank a PC. None will be flanked. 7 will threaten each PC; 2 will threaten both PCs.
5) 13 goblins will surround them all. All of them will flank a PC. One will be flanked. 8 will threaten each PC; 3 will threaten both of them.
This is not a particularly uncommon set of situations in a game -- any time PCs fight lots of little doobies, they're bound to encounter similar situations. Figuring out the answers to these questions without graphical representation can be extremely difficult -- and that's before we introduce movement, 5' steps, reach, and larger-than-normal creatures.
Daniel
KnowTheToe
First Post
Our DM tried to surround a fighter PC with low level gnolls and had the last gnoll cross so he received an AoO. The fighter, with greater cleave, cut down every gnoll around her. This bad tactic might have been an oversite, but on the fighters previous round, she cleaved all of the gnolls surrounding her. Silly DM, it ended up being a very easy fight. Tony, don't kill my PC ofr this
We were using minis. Minis rock!!
We were using minis. Minis rock!!
Minis. Yum.
I'm looking forward to the Chessex 1.5" battlemat, since I also play MageKnight. Not only are MK miniatures pre-painted, but they're light and don't need the sponge holders like metals do. Pity there's no MK d20 supplement, so the minis would match the adventures better.
Cedric.
aka. Washu! ^O^
I'm looking forward to the Chessex 1.5" battlemat, since I also play MageKnight. Not only are MK miniatures pre-painted, but they're light and don't need the sponge holders like metals do. Pity there's no MK d20 supplement, so the minis would match the adventures better.
Cedric.
aka. Washu! ^O^
Pseudonym
Ivan Alias
In the two games I play in we use a battlemap and miniatures to represent the PCs and occasionally monsters. In one game we use candy for monsters, mainly kisses and mini Reese's Cups. Good for representing grunt monsters, and you get the satisfaction of eating them as they are defeated.
In the game I run, we use a metric ton of Warhammer miniatures and scenery. I can't imagine trying to run a 3E game without minis and a map. The game pretty much demands it whenever you get away from pure roleplaying situations.
In the game I run, we use a metric ton of Warhammer miniatures and scenery. I can't imagine trying to run a 3E game without minis and a map. The game pretty much demands it whenever you get away from pure roleplaying situations.
Olgar Shiverstone
Legend
aNenuphar said:
It absolutely helps. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it, with whatever technique. There are so many things (AoO, reach, flanking, tumbling, 5' step, spell area of effect, movement, cover, etc) that are so much better with some sort of visual.
I used to be in the "All I need is verbal" crowd. Now I'm a convert.
robaustin
First Post
We play with minis - usually just for the PC's (although if one of us has an appropriate mini for a particular monster we use it). I've posted on this before - we use food for monsters. M&M's, peanuts, goldfish - whatever's handy and on the table. Whoever lands the killing blow gets to eat the monster. Larger monsters require larger food. We've used everything from Mallowmars to marshmallow peeps. Yum!
Honestly M&M's work best - no mess and different colors let the DM keep track more easily.
--*Rob
Honestly M&M's work best - no mess and different colors let the DM keep track more easily.
--*Rob
