What if your player wanted to make a bet?

[Ry]

Standing over the battlefield, troops decimated but victorious, a lone 6th level fighter PC stares out at the enemy forces massing for another assault. Behind him are line after line of 1st-level fighters, warriors, and commoners. Most are dead, and of those alive, more than half are injured. You're more than satisfied with how this has gone, you've DMed a hell of a battle. The PC knew this could be the end; the odds weren't good that he could hold this end of the battle. It's grim, but it's just about over.

The player looks down at his dice; then up at me. He says "I'm going to scream to intimidate the enemy. They're far enough away that they'll hardly hear me." You shrug, then nod. With Charisma 12 and a class skill, you know he's got +10 to Intimidate.

He picks up the d20. "If I make 20..." he says "my men are reenergized and we treat them as if they all get 5 temp hit points till the end of the battle. That goes for the ones that are knocked down too; they're pulled to their feet, and they'll stand with me a little longer."

You give him a look like he's crazy; you're the DM after all.

"If I lose, they'll flee before the enemy arrives. But I'll stay."

What do you do?

 

[vongarr]

I would say no. I don't want a single die roll having such a huge impact.

 

[Vorput]

Depends, if this means- if he rolls a natural 20- then Hell Yes I allow this. Sounds Awesome- and they still might lose.

If it just means he needs to roll a 10 or better with his +10 mod, then no dice- but I say "Deal, if you can get a 30".

 

[Gentlegamer]

That player has nuts. I might go for it.

 

[Brazeku]

Hey, it was his suggestion- if that's what the player wants to do, I'd say go for it. Makes a hell of a story.

 

[Gold Roger]

I do something similar all the time, though I'll never hinge it on luck, like the player in your example.

As a player, I'm the guy that asks "Is there a chandalier" (impliyng that there should be one and I'll do something big if the DM agrees).

I'm the guy that asks "What do I have to roll to jump of the roof I'm on, pull the halfling one level down on the window with me and roll in the air so we land with me on top, crushing him" (actually happened, I think it cost me a tumble check, a grapple check and an action point).

Basically I'd tell the guy in your example that he should stop with the haggling. Then I'd tell him it's a cool idea, give him a (workable) DC and then use some lesser but still significant benefit.

Something like "Alright the two sides of you charge each other, You know your guys still don't stand chance, but inspired by your call they'll hold off the opposing rank and file long enough for you to go for the leader. If you can take him, you might still save the day".

Then I handwave the battle (I'm not going to roll for line after line of rank and file troops annyway) and focus completely on the duell.


But then I like cinematic games where cool stuff happens.

 

[Dog Moon]

So it looks like a 50-50 shot to me. I assume both armies are pretty much ragged and both probably wants to leave. However, this would depend on three factors for me:

1. Amount of forces [and probably race as well - 100 Ogres are obviously a lot stronger than 100 Humans, for example] on either side. If it's pretty much even, I would allow it cause the battle would probably be 50-50 even without his help and it makes the ending more memorable. If the attackers outnumber them by a decent amount, I'd give a -2 circumstance penalty to his roll. If outnumbered greatly, nope.

2. Maybe the other side has a similar person. In this case, it would be an opposed roll.

3. Are the enemies attackers or defenders? If the enemies are defending their homeland, would maybe allow it, but give a -4 circumstance penalty as people defending their homes tend to be more desperate and willing to fight.

If you wanted, you could probably combine them, but if one of my players came up with this idea, this is probably how I'd go - and I thought of this in like 2 mins, so while the numbers aren't exact or playtested, this is probably how it would go in a spur of the moment thing.

Note if he had said this at the beginning of battle, I probably would just laugh at him.

 

[kaomera]

I see what you're getting at, but as DM I would be much more willing to just have the good guys rally than I would to let the dice decide. If the player really wants to rally the troops and beat back the enemy for real, why not let him? Maybe I'm just having a bit of a problem with your described situation: How are the good guys "victorious" if the baddies are just about to come back to finish them off for good?

 

[IamTheTest]

If it makes the game more fun Id allow it.

 

[MarkB]

What were the other players doing? I wouldn't want a player to be able to declare that any given die roll determines the outcome of an entire mass battle, if the other players' PCs are also making a contribution - effectively, that player is trying to rip the spotlight off them and shine it only on himself.

If the other players are okay with it, then it's the DM's call - is this the satisfying way to end the battle? If that player's PC stays behind, will he really be okay with the consequences? If so, then go for it.