Author Topic: Law of Proportionate Response OR how competence begots competence.  (Read 31624 times)

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Sunic_Flames

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Re: Law of Proportionate Response OR how competence begots competence.
« Reply #20 on: February 22, 2011, 07:07:08 PM »
A more normal reason to stand and fight is because you want the loot that the beast/person is carrying/guarding.  Isn't part of the reason to dungeon crawl (and yes I know that there is more to rpgs then dungeon crawling but lets take a broad example shall we) is to get the loot or rescue some npc?  Sure a Dm can run a game how ever (s)he wants but if they follow the rules as well as properly play monsters instead of having them stand there then TPK would be standard fair.  Remember that Tomb of Horrors was ment for a high character death count.  You are expected to die and roll up a new character unless you IP Proof.

Tomb of Horrors is a bad example. Not because it isn't deadly, but because success or failure is based on your ability to read your DM's mind, not IP proofing. Way too many Death, No Saves for things like skill or choices to matter. It's like those CYOA books - if you go left, you randomly get killed by a snake. If you go right, you randomly fall off a cliff. So go straight, damnit!

Anyways, everyone fights to the death, even if they don't want to, because there is no other choice.
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[spoiler]
Sunic may be more abrasive than sandpaper coated in chainsaws (not that its a bad thing, he really does know what he's talking about), but just posting in this thread without warning and telling him he's an asshole which, if you knew his past experiences on WotC and Paizo is flat-out uncalled for. Never mind the insults (which are clearly 4Chan-level childish). You say people like Sunic are the bane of the internet? Try looking at your own post and telling me you are better than him.

Here's a fun fact: You aren't. By a few leagues.
[/spoiler]

The_Mad_Linguist

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Re: Law of Proportionate Response OR how competence begots competence.
« Reply #21 on: February 22, 2011, 07:07:53 PM »
Anyways, everyone fights to the death, even if they don't want to, because there is no other choice.
Quote

So clearly your encounters should not be all "kill this monster". 

Furthermore, retreat is always an option if you have any idea about what's up ahead.  Like with scouting or divination magics.  If you open a door and see a great wyrm dragon... you close the door and run like hell.
« Last Edit: February 22, 2011, 07:09:53 PM by The_Mad_Linguist »
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Shadeseraph

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Re: Law of Proportionate Response OR how competence begots competence.
« Reply #22 on: February 22, 2011, 07:12:08 PM »
Or teleport to the next room :P.

Hey, not everyone understands "solving" encounters as killing everything.
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Anarchy_Kanya

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Re: Law of Proportionate Response OR how competence begots competence.
« Reply #23 on: February 22, 2011, 07:12:33 PM »
Anyways, everyone fights to the death, even if they don't want to, because there is no other choice.
Quote
No, you misunderstood him. He's saying "Everyone fights to the death (in my games), even if they don't want to, because (I say so, so) there is no other choice".
No matter how right he can be, his teories are just silly. :lmao
« Last Edit: February 22, 2011, 07:14:43 PM by Anarchy_Kanya »
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Once my 12 level VoP exalted Monk beat a Horned Devil. ALONE! The only dmg the devil could do to me was from one spell-like that he menaged to shoot out before he droped. :D
wow... you are the epitome of trolling...

Non complete list of people here that are not fuckwits: bearsarebrown, BeholderSlayer, Dictum Mortum, Ithamar, Kajhera, RelentlessImp, SeekingKnight, Shiki, Solo.
You didn't include yourself. Does that mean you're a fuckwit? ???

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SeekingKnight

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Re: Law of Proportionate Response OR how competence begots competence.
« Reply #24 on: February 22, 2011, 07:19:37 PM »
My bad Sunic.  It was one of the few modules I know of that had a high PC death count.

@TML:

Not all encounters are fight monster/person to death but, as many gamers tend to enjoy fantasy movies, this ends up to be fighting against a great evil/good.  So a lot of games become kill random things as that is how many people have played for many years.  

oslecamo

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Re: Law of Proportionate Response OR how competence begots competence.
« Reply #25 on: February 22, 2011, 07:40:59 PM »
@TML:

Not all encounters are fight monster/person to death but, as many gamers tend to enjoy fantasy movies, this ends up to be fighting against a great evil/good.  So a lot of games become kill random things as that is how many people have played for many years.  

What lousy fantasy movies have you been watching? The heroes always end up needing up here and there, and several enemies are worth more alive than dead. Heck, my groups are always trying to befriend/enslave/mindrape the stuff they find. It's only fair the bad monster would like some toys of his own. I even saw a whole  of Pelor make deals with greater devils in order to don't be raped in the spot by said greater devils when the cleric in question tried to bite more than he could chew (we were ordered to simply scout an evil cult, and the cleric just had to charge in all buffed up thinking he could take on whatever leader the cult had).

SeekingKnight

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Re: Law of Proportionate Response OR how competence begots competence.
« Reply #26 on: February 22, 2011, 08:09:04 PM »
I was trying to be general.  Maybe I should say old fantasy movies where the hero(ine) is trying to rescue the kingdom or their SO. 

The_Mad_Linguist

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Re: Law of Proportionate Response OR how competence begots competence.
« Reply #27 on: February 22, 2011, 08:16:17 PM »
In my most recent gaming session, the level 12 party encountered a maximum size troupe of ice devils guarding one of the entrances to hell.  (which is, what - CR 16 or 17?).  We negotiated from just outside the border, discovered that it was effectively shit duty assigned in order to marginalize malcontents.  Since we were on a mission that would screw Mephy over, we were able to work out an informal agreement that avoided bloodshed (devils, it turns out, are big on petty revenge).
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SeekingKnight

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Re: Law of Proportionate Response OR how competence begots competence.
« Reply #28 on: February 22, 2011, 08:36:16 PM »
In my most recent gaming session, the level 12 party encountered a maximum size troupe of ice devils guarding one of the entrances to hell.  (which is, what - CR 16 or 17?).  We negotiated from just outside the border, discovered that it was effectively shit duty assigned in order to marginalize malcontents.  Since we were on a mission that would screw Mephy over, we were able to work out an informal agreement that avoided bloodshed (devils, it turns out, are big on petty revenge).

You got me there.

Sunic_Flames

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Re: Law of Proportionate Response OR how competence begots competence.
« Reply #29 on: February 23, 2011, 10:23:49 AM »
Skipping past more lies and Fail.

My bad Sunic.  It was one of the few modules I know of that had a high PC death count.

@TML:

Not all encounters are fight monster/person to death but, as many gamers tend to enjoy fantasy movies, this ends up to be fighting against a great evil/good.  So a lot of games become kill random things as that is how many people have played for many years. 

Nah, the problem is simpler than that.

If you do want to fight to the death, you do.
If you don't, well you can't run, and any alternatives either don't exist, or are worse than death, so you do anyways.

End result? Sometimes you really do have to figure out how the fuck your level 11 party is supposed to deal with a Horned Devil in combat. You DID IP proof, right?
Smiting Imbeciles since 1985.

If you hear this music, run.

And don't forget:


There is no greater contribution than Hi Welcome.

Huge amounts of people are fuckwits. That doesn't mean that fuckwit is a valid lifestyle.

IP proofing and avoiding being CAPed OR - how to make characters relevant in the long term.

Friends don't let friends be Short Bus Hobos.

[spoiler]
Sunic may be more abrasive than sandpaper coated in chainsaws (not that its a bad thing, he really does know what he's talking about), but just posting in this thread without warning and telling him he's an asshole which, if you knew his past experiences on WotC and Paizo is flat-out uncalled for. Never mind the insults (which are clearly 4Chan-level childish). You say people like Sunic are the bane of the internet? Try looking at your own post and telling me you are better than him.

Here's a fun fact: You aren't. By a few leagues.
[/spoiler]

Anarchy_Kanya

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Re: Law of Proportionate Response OR how competence begots competence.
« Reply #30 on: February 23, 2011, 10:31:56 AM »
Once my 12 level VoP exalted Monk beat a Horned Devil. ALONE! The only dmg the devil could do to me was from one spell-like that he menaged to shoot out before he droped. :D
Fly Away With Me!
We Are Angels! Anarchy!
[spoiler]
Once my 12 level VoP exalted Monk beat a Horned Devil. ALONE! The only dmg the devil could do to me was from one spell-like that he menaged to shoot out before he droped. :D
wow... you are the epitome of trolling...

Non complete list of people here that are not fuckwits: bearsarebrown, BeholderSlayer, Dictum Mortum, Ithamar, Kajhera, RelentlessImp, SeekingKnight, Shiki, Solo.
You didn't include yourself. Does that mean you're a fuckwit? ???

Hi Welcome
Then I can assume the answer to the question is "Yes".
[/spoiler]
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zugschef

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Re: Law of Proportionate Response OR how competence begots competence.
« Reply #31 on: February 23, 2011, 10:34:38 AM »
Once my 12 level VoP exalted Monk beat a Horned Devil. ALONE! The only dmg the devil could do to me was from one spell-like that he menaged to shoot out before he droped. :D
wow... you are the epitome of trolling...

Kajhera

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Re: Law of Proportionate Response OR how competence begots competence.
« Reply #32 on: February 23, 2011, 10:35:17 AM »
Skipping past more lies and Fail.

My bad Sunic.  It was one of the few modules I know of that had a high PC death count.

@TML:

Not all encounters are fight monster/person to death but, as many gamers tend to enjoy fantasy movies, this ends up to be fighting against a great evil/good.  So a lot of games become kill random things as that is how many people have played for many years.  

Nah, the problem is simpler than that.

If you do want to fight to the death, you do.
If you don't, well you can't run, and any alternatives either don't exist, or are worse than death, so you do anyways.

End result? Sometimes you really do have to figure out how the fuck your level 11 party is supposed to deal with a Horned Devil in combat. You DID IP proof, right?

...What kind of parties do you have that can't run at 11th level? /pokes Teleport. I know Trace Teleport exists but it's not particularly ubiquitous.

Not that you shouldn't be able to beat a horned devil, but ... that's not the point. Point is you're confusing me.
« Last Edit: February 23, 2011, 10:37:55 AM by Kajhera »

Anarchy_Kanya

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Re: Law of Proportionate Response OR how competence begots competence.
« Reply #33 on: February 23, 2011, 10:36:53 AM »
Once my 12 level VoP exalted Monk beat a Horned Devil. ALONE! The only dmg the devil could do to me was from one spell-like that he menaged to shoot out before he droped. :D
wow... you are the epitome of trolling...
No, I'm telling the truth. If you know polish or have a knack for translating, I can send you a link to the PbF in which it happened.
Fly Away With Me!
We Are Angels! Anarchy!
[spoiler]
Once my 12 level VoP exalted Monk beat a Horned Devil. ALONE! The only dmg the devil could do to me was from one spell-like that he menaged to shoot out before he droped. :D
wow... you are the epitome of trolling...

Non complete list of people here that are not fuckwits: bearsarebrown, BeholderSlayer, Dictum Mortum, Ithamar, Kajhera, RelentlessImp, SeekingKnight, Shiki, Solo.
You didn't include yourself. Does that mean you're a fuckwit? ???

Hi Welcome
Then I can assume the answer to the question is "Yes".
[/spoiler]
Making Fighters special - lil project by me.

Sunic_Flames

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Re: Law of Proportionate Response OR how competence begots competence.
« Reply #34 on: February 23, 2011, 10:57:44 AM »
Once my 12 level VoP exalted Monk beat a Horned Devil. ALONE! The only dmg the devil could do to me was from one spell-like that he menaged to shoot out before he droped. :D
wow... you are the epitome of trolling...

Plus Fucking One.

Skipping past more lies and Fail.

My bad Sunic.  It was one of the few modules I know of that had a high PC death count.

@TML:

Not all encounters are fight monster/person to death but, as many gamers tend to enjoy fantasy movies, this ends up to be fighting against a great evil/good.  So a lot of games become kill random things as that is how many people have played for many years. 

Nah, the problem is simpler than that.

If you do want to fight to the death, you do.
If you don't, well you can't run, and any alternatives either don't exist, or are worse than death, so you do anyways.

End result? Sometimes you really do have to figure out how the fuck your level 11 party is supposed to deal with a Horned Devil in combat. You DID IP proof, right?

...What kind of parties do you have that can't run at 11th level? /pokes Teleport. I know Trace Teleport exists but it's not particularly ubiquitous.

Not that you shouldn't be able to beat a horned devil, but ... that's not the point. Point is you're confusing me.

You use one of your second highest spell slots to escape.

Now, here's the thing about D&D. Attacker Advantage. It exists. It's very strong. And it means exactly what it says = if you are the Attacker, you have the Advantage.

So, you get away. You now have something much more powerful than you, that is angry at you, and can run you down whenever it wants, however it wants. You should have just dealt with it the first time, as now it's likely to appear when you're busy fighting something else, just to really fuck you up.

(Funny thing about Horned Devils - they're actually easier to kill than Ice Devils.)
Smiting Imbeciles since 1985.

If you hear this music, run.

And don't forget:


There is no greater contribution than Hi Welcome.

Huge amounts of people are fuckwits. That doesn't mean that fuckwit is a valid lifestyle.

IP proofing and avoiding being CAPed OR - how to make characters relevant in the long term.

Friends don't let friends be Short Bus Hobos.

[spoiler]
Sunic may be more abrasive than sandpaper coated in chainsaws (not that its a bad thing, he really does know what he's talking about), but just posting in this thread without warning and telling him he's an asshole which, if you knew his past experiences on WotC and Paizo is flat-out uncalled for. Never mind the insults (which are clearly 4Chan-level childish). You say people like Sunic are the bane of the internet? Try looking at your own post and telling me you are better than him.

Here's a fun fact: You aren't. By a few leagues.
[/spoiler]

skydragonknight

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Re: Law of Proportionate Response OR how competence begots competence.
« Reply #35 on: February 23, 2011, 11:32:07 AM »
tl;dr

Short version?
It always seems like the barrels around here have something in them.

Kajhera

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Re: Law of Proportionate Response OR how competence begots competence.
« Reply #36 on: February 23, 2011, 11:34:01 AM »
Okay, I understand, thanks.

Sunic_Flames

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Re: Law of Proportionate Response OR how competence begots competence.
« Reply #37 on: February 23, 2011, 11:39:03 AM »
tl;dr

Short version?

Real characters get real adventures. Fail characters get to deal with rat problems, and generally be mocked by the real characters, if not slain by them.

Hi Welcome
Smiting Imbeciles since 1985.

If you hear this music, run.

And don't forget:


There is no greater contribution than Hi Welcome.

Huge amounts of people are fuckwits. That doesn't mean that fuckwit is a valid lifestyle.

IP proofing and avoiding being CAPed OR - how to make characters relevant in the long term.

Friends don't let friends be Short Bus Hobos.

[spoiler]
Sunic may be more abrasive than sandpaper coated in chainsaws (not that its a bad thing, he really does know what he's talking about), but just posting in this thread without warning and telling him he's an asshole which, if you knew his past experiences on WotC and Paizo is flat-out uncalled for. Never mind the insults (which are clearly 4Chan-level childish). You say people like Sunic are the bane of the internet? Try looking at your own post and telling me you are better than him.

Here's a fun fact: You aren't. By a few leagues.
[/spoiler]

skydragonknight

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Anarchy_Kanya

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Re: Law of Proportionate Response OR how competence begots competence.
« Reply #39 on: February 23, 2011, 12:00:30 PM »
tl;dr

Short version?

Real characters get real adventures. Fail characters get to deal with rat problems, and generally be mocked by the real characters, if not slain by them.

Hi Welcome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUdrxZHbLIc&NR=1
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We Are Angels! Anarchy!
[spoiler]
Once my 12 level VoP exalted Monk beat a Horned Devil. ALONE! The only dmg the devil could do to me was from one spell-like that he menaged to shoot out before he droped. :D
wow... you are the epitome of trolling...

Non complete list of people here that are not fuckwits: bearsarebrown, BeholderSlayer, Dictum Mortum, Ithamar, Kajhera, RelentlessImp, SeekingKnight, Shiki, Solo.
You didn't include yourself. Does that mean you're a fuckwit? ???

Hi Welcome
Then I can assume the answer to the question is "Yes".
[/spoiler]
Making Fighters special - lil project by me.