D&D 3E/3.5 Running a DND 3.5 Battle Royale/Tournament

[dreaded_beast]

A bunch of my friends and I, are toying with the idea of just having a DND Battle Royale/Tournament, basically just throwing a bunch of characters into an arena/battle ground and having them trying to eliminate one another.

A very rough example, throw 4 PCs in say a dungeon and have them all try to kill each other.

The main focus of this game will be combat, although I have ideas on how to incorporate non-combative elements into the game.

We realize that the DND Miniatures games specializing in exactly this sort of thing, but we like 'regular' DND, where we can attempt virtually any type of action, actions not covered in the DND Miniatures rules.

Anyways, since the focus is combat, some classes and skills in my opinion will not be well tailored to such a game, especially if it's one-on-one and against other PC classes.

Any suggestions on how to make such a game balanced and fun for all, such as rules, allowable classes, starting level, etc.?

 

[green slime]

It is very, very important, that the DM be extremely familiar with the rules. Far more so than for an ordinary game. Because in all the games I have seen, where the players created their own characters, there always errupts viscious rules discussions, and accusations of DM partiality. Unless you know your players very well.

More tips follow:

1) Do not allow partially charged items (wands, etc) at reduced prices.
2) Do not allow scrolls with spell levels significantly higher than what the character's themselves can cast. (so if you use 9th level characters, no 7th level spells)
3) Only allow magical items from published works, i.e. No player-defined magical items.
4) Examine each and every character with a fine toothcomb. stats, skill points, feats, PrC requirements, equipment, cash expenditure, the lot. And then go over it again. Do not be afraid to veto any combination. Check every detail. Because you know if you miss something, it will come up in the game, and then you will be there with pissed off players and accusations.

 

[dvvega]

The easiest way I've seen to limit the broken combination issue is to limit the books available.

So for example PHB, DMG only or what have you.

Then as the players become more experienced in the Battle Royale, add in a book at a time, or allow a winner to add one thing of their choice to the Battle Royale schedule ...

For example they might add:
- PrCs from Complete Warrior, OR
- Magic Items from Complete Arcane, OR
- Goliaths from Races of Stone.

Then everyone has access to the new bits and pieces. Obviously if someone can keep winning they keep adding what they want/need to build their vision of the "ultimate" killing machine.

D