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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Wulf Ratbane" data-source="post: 4201351" data-attributes="member: 94">Lanchester.  <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> The problem with D&D is the number of absolutes and asymmetrics in the system may very well decide the issue: Lanchester's Square Law isn't a sufficient model.Unless you can quantify the absolutes and asymmetrics so that you have a clear understanding of their contribution to the overall effectiveness of a unit.I assume you mean 2-on-2, since a dogfight between two jets (1-on-1) is both Linear and Squared. "1" works out neatly like that on both sides of the equation.  <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f600.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":D" title="Big grin    :D"  data-smilie="8"data-shortname=":D" />Anyhow IIRC Lanchester developed his ideas at the birth of aerial combat specifically to make those predictions.As far as I am concerned, if you can't find a model that works reasonably well without a calculator (although tables are OK from this designer's standpoint) then the gains are negligible. It's far better at that point to keep the encounter constrained within certain boundaries that ensure that the differences the Square Law would inject into the system are kept to a minimum. However, <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> We have been told that the power curve in 4e has been stretched and flattened, and</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> 4e removes many absolutes and asymmetric abilities, which should actually make them hew closer to the Lanchester model, and</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> the number of creatures in a combat are determined by the XP budget, and </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> the XP awards are definitely not smooth or flat, </li> </ul>... I have concerns. A DM faithfully following the system may find himself overpowering the PCs with swarms of lesser creatures, and his "tough fights" with Elites and Solos will feel just the opposite.Yet the PCs are going to get comparatively less XP for the toughest (swarm) fights and comparatively more XP for the easier (boss) fights, with respect to the actual difficulty they have with the encounter.I think so too, and I really like the looks of it so far. Giving Elite and Solo creatures extra actions and "interrupts" means that you can increase their overall effectiveness without having to increase the "statblock" as much.</blockquote>

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