I know it sounds like a dirty joke, but really it’s a continuation of this thread:
http://forum.mongoosepublishing.com/viewtopic.php?f=79&t=48633&start=30
And that answer is really intelligent and encouraging and helpful (and appreciated, thank you!). But not, I think, entirely satisfactory.
It seems to me culling from PC stats to find worthy adversaries is inherently inflationary and not entirely realistic, nor even impartial to outcomes. It doesn't seem fair to just take my PCs, fiddle around with their numbers, then toss the resulting opponent at them in a random encounter.
When seasoned PCs walk into a bar, it is very likely they’re the toughest guys in the room. Deservedly so, and I want to honor that. So why is it PCs, three years into a campaign, now are casually bumping into NPCs way beyond anything they ever might’ve ever met three years ago, NPCs of uncommon expertise? Did everybody just get better?
My mercenary band--when they started out--had a DI who was best in the brigade. Everyone feared him. That is why he was command leader. But my merry band of mercs has moved on and are now heroes of the first rank. They're heroes beyond their original cohort. They’d never be afraid of the old DI today. But who was that guy, what were his stats?
We have, for example, very detailed information about what sorts of training and experience a Roman Legionary would experience at various ages and enlistments, very regular... but what does that look like in RQ stats?
If my merry band of legendary warriors has moved beyond seeing their old DI as a challenge--the toughest rascal they'd ever met, starting out--then maybe they need to move beyond petty encounters and ascend the stairs of the throne, so to speak. And that would be good to know.
In short, I’d like a series of statblocks that tells me this so-&-so is a fearsome character in RQ terms. If my PCs still mop the floor with him, that’s telling me they’re ready for new challenges.
I dunno; just thinking aloud. Not a complaint: Encouraging a sourcebook!
http://forum.mongoosepublishing.com/viewtopic.php?f=79&t=48633&start=30
DamonJynx said:I use the following in my games for NPC's:
Combat Skills
Leaders within 10% either way of the most skilled PC and HP by location
Mooks the same, but for the lowest skilled PC to a cap of around 60-70% and general HP
Other skills as required are generally base skill +30 to 50%.
When the PC's reach levels nearing the seasoned, veteran, master and hero tiers I'll add another 10 or 20% to keep the 'villians' up there. Obviously that will be for named, special NPC's not sword fodder mooks.
And that answer is really intelligent and encouraging and helpful (and appreciated, thank you!). But not, I think, entirely satisfactory.
It seems to me culling from PC stats to find worthy adversaries is inherently inflationary and not entirely realistic, nor even impartial to outcomes. It doesn't seem fair to just take my PCs, fiddle around with their numbers, then toss the resulting opponent at them in a random encounter.
When seasoned PCs walk into a bar, it is very likely they’re the toughest guys in the room. Deservedly so, and I want to honor that. So why is it PCs, three years into a campaign, now are casually bumping into NPCs way beyond anything they ever might’ve ever met three years ago, NPCs of uncommon expertise? Did everybody just get better?
My mercenary band--when they started out--had a DI who was best in the brigade. Everyone feared him. That is why he was command leader. But my merry band of mercs has moved on and are now heroes of the first rank. They're heroes beyond their original cohort. They’d never be afraid of the old DI today. But who was that guy, what were his stats?
We have, for example, very detailed information about what sorts of training and experience a Roman Legionary would experience at various ages and enlistments, very regular... but what does that look like in RQ stats?
If my merry band of legendary warriors has moved beyond seeing their old DI as a challenge--the toughest rascal they'd ever met, starting out--then maybe they need to move beyond petty encounters and ascend the stairs of the throne, so to speak. And that would be good to know.
In short, I’d like a series of statblocks that tells me this so-&-so is a fearsome character in RQ terms. If my PCs still mop the floor with him, that’s telling me they’re ready for new challenges.
I dunno; just thinking aloud. Not a complaint: Encouraging a sourcebook!