toucanbuzz
No rule is inviolate
On Battlesystem, since it's a "mini-game" within the game, it could be run independent of 5E rules.
However, having tried mass combat with multiple gaming groups, it doesn't translate well. (1) It's a crapton of rules for likely a single or limited use event, (2) you're lucky if 1 person gets those rules in the end, (3) 1 person tends to end up running and rolling things, even if you try and divvy up units, (4) there's not a lot of satisfaction when your PCs don't get to be an intimate part of the action.
Consider the Red Hand of Doom approach. For every success the PCs have in recruiting forces or eliminating some leadership element of the enemy, alter the encounters of "hot spots" in the major battle to be either easier or harder (e.g. PCs are special forces that rush to places that are integral to success; the barricade battle has more or less enemies, putting out the fire at the infirmary becomes a chore, and so on). Make sure the PCs get some credit (the soldiers mention "it's a good thing you took out the ghostlord's lions, I can't imagine facing those things") and know the encounter could've been easier/harder.
As to the rest, can't help till I convert and run, but it's rated one of the better I hear.
However, having tried mass combat with multiple gaming groups, it doesn't translate well. (1) It's a crapton of rules for likely a single or limited use event, (2) you're lucky if 1 person gets those rules in the end, (3) 1 person tends to end up running and rolling things, even if you try and divvy up units, (4) there's not a lot of satisfaction when your PCs don't get to be an intimate part of the action.
Consider the Red Hand of Doom approach. For every success the PCs have in recruiting forces or eliminating some leadership element of the enemy, alter the encounters of "hot spots" in the major battle to be either easier or harder (e.g. PCs are special forces that rush to places that are integral to success; the barricade battle has more or less enemies, putting out the fire at the infirmary becomes a chore, and so on). Make sure the PCs get some credit (the soldiers mention "it's a good thing you took out the ghostlord's lions, I can't imagine facing those things") and know the encounter could've been easier/harder.
As to the rest, can't help till I convert and run, but it's rated one of the better I hear.
