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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lanefan" data-source="post: 9277516" data-attributes="member: 29398">This kind of assumes two things:--- that you and each other player will consistently do what they "should" do on each turn (IME rarely if ever the case); and--- that the GM isn't varying the terrain, enemy tactics, etc. enough from one combat to the next.Thing is, in reality after a few battles most parties would likely come up with a series of SOPs quite quickly, much like a basketball team's set plays.The answer to this is to have chaotic players at the table playing chaotic characters who don't follow orders or scripts and who are going to do their own thing - whatever it might be, probably different every time - in any combat that arises.  And if you ain't got such players, become one yourself. <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=":)" />Again, you seem to be focusing only on the optimal choice.  What about the fun-risky-entertaining choice that maybe isn't so optimal?Put another way, instead of thinking "what does the flowchart tell me to do now?", think "what can I do here that nobody will expect but that also (hopefully) won't lose us this fight?"  And then when something comes to you, just do it.  Don't ask anyone if it's a good idea, never ask permission - just effing do it and let the chips fall where they may.Front-liner #1: "Where'd Jocasta go?"Front-liner #2: "Dunno - she was right behind me a minute ago as my backup."Front-liner #3: "There she is!  She must have found a way to sneak around behind them!  She's got their caster down - and crap, she's about to get swarmed....."In this instance, I'd probably be Jocasta's player. <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=":)" />That's what I'm proposing: thinking outside the flowchart is what keeps the brain engaged; and if an unexpected action doesn't present itself in this combat, it will some other time. <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=":)" />Another thing I've seen done, and rather hilariously, is the players keep their in-character conversations going right through the combat, even if the topic has nothing to do with anything.  Yelling across the battlefield about who's going to win the village horse race next week, for example.  Never mind that if the enemy can understand you they'll wonder what the hell code you're using... <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=":)" /></blockquote>

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