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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ozmar" data-source="post: 1505870" data-attributes="member: 8021">Another idea:You could determine pre-designated rules for when and how an NPC will use his action points. Your house rule of "survival points" in effect does this, by saying that NPCs will only use action points defensively. But you could also say that NPCs will use all their action points at every opportunity until they are gone. You could say certain NPCs (aggressive NPCs) will only use them for criticals, some (defensive NPCs) will only use them for defense, and some will only use them for fumbles. Or perhaps all or some will use their action points based on their status: as long as they have more than 50% of their hit points (or VP) they will be agressive and confirm criticals, and once they drop below 50%, they begin to act defensively.I am thinking that some variation of this idea means that the NPCs act in a formulaic/predictable manner in regards to the use of their action points, and thus it removes the onus of acting arbitrarily from the GM. For example, if NPCs always use their action points as fast as possible, and always in every way possible, then a character who dies by a critical knows that it doesn't mean that the GM decided to kill them - it means that the NPC had action points left.If you use some predictable mechanic, you might consider letting the players know which character is using which algorithm (full disclosure) and even letting them know how many action points the opponents have remaining (perhaps after 2 rounds of combat, the heroes get a feel for the tactics and strength of the opposition). This would allow the players more control over their own use of action points and consequently the flow of the game. It also provides fair warning so they can assess the risk to their characters.Another idea I just thought of: You might re-introduce dice to the mechanic, by adding die rolls to whichever algorithm you design. For example, maybe all NPCs use their action points at every defensive opportunity, but only on a roll of 1-2 (on a d6) do they use them for fumbles, and only on a 1 do they use them for crits?Ozmar the Action-Oriented DM</blockquote>

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