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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Irda Ranger" data-source="post: 4087797" data-attributes="member: 1003">This is a really astute comment. It probably deserves its own thread somewhere.  But since you made the comment here ...This is a problem I have noticed as well. The disconnect is jarring. Particularly if I haven't looked at the battlemap at all in the last 2-3 hours. It's really a lot like the transition from overland map mode in Final Fantasy to combat mode.Me too.  Part of it is connected to how well the combat is integrated into the story. In my current campaign there have been a lot of exciting combats, but the ones I remember the most vividly (and were totally non-jarring when they happened) were the ones that had the most plot relevance.The least jarring fight of all, and one I remember the most fondly, was a fight where we all almost died and would have TPK'ed if we hadn't used our McGuffin to pull our bacon out of the fire.  But that was OK, because we'd been carrying that McGuffin for months in game (and IRL) just in anticipation of that one fight. It was very satisfying to use it, and to see the BBEG get his what-for from the deus ex machina we called down on his ass.So that's part of it. Don't spend too much time on random fights unless your players are explicitly looking for a Turn-Based Tactical Wargame.Perhaps there needs to be a few table rules about keeping the RP alive in combat too.  <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The PC's Rule 0: You don't have to fight. You can always try to put your hands up and talk, thus temporarily suspending combat and voiding the initiative roll.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">In combat, use Diplomacy as be a Minor Action to try and talk your way out of a fight.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">In combat, use Insight as a Move Action to determine your enemies "true" motives (Hint: Most people don't want to kill you as an end in itself, most want something else - which means you can then bargain). Success means the DM must give you a clue.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Write down your plot-driven goals (Max: 5 for the group (e.g., rescue Dwarven hostages)). Anyone who achieves one of these goals while in combat can shout "Quest complete!"; everyone gets an immediate and free (morale driven) Healing Surge and Action Point.</li> </ul></blockquote>

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