Past 20th.

[zozotroll]

But he still gets a save. Still Conan is better at this than any other level/class based system I am familiar with.

The Romans managed to kill a large number of people with stubby little short swords. Most game systems will not replicate this well, if at all. Level based systems with more HP when you level dont replicate it at all.

But I am not playing Imperial Rome, I am playing Conan. So the problems dont bother me that much. But I dont see why the unreality of over 20th is more jaring that that of over 6th, or 10th.

 

[Constantine XI]

Take a page out of 4E's design (sure, it's been done before, but 4E is the closest analogue): Minions. Go down after a single point of damage, but attack, defence, damage, etc, can all scale to the PCs' levels. This s what I'm planning to do for my upcomng Conan RPG set in the Westermark with two 8th level PC. Lots of 5th or 6th level Pict minions, which, for the sake of convenience, will look something like this:

Alligator Tribe Braves
Level 5 minion
hp: 1
AC: 17
Init: +5
Club +7 vs AC; damage 3
Bow +9 vs AC; damage 4

Relevant skills @ +10
secodary skills @ +5

Fort +6; Ref: +8; Will: +1

These would make up the bulk of the opposition, supplemented by some more memorable, more fleshed-out warriors, although I wouldn't bother with full d20-style stat blocks.

Let's face it, in the stories, mooks fall like flies. For tougher opponents, I propose something like the following (again, taking a leaf from 4E):

An opponent who is bloodied (one-half maximum hit points or less) who is again hit is, usually, rendered incapable of further part in a battle, and is considered unconscious, or demoralised, and will take flight or surrender, as determined by the GM.

I'm also introducing a 4E/Trailblazer-like rest mechanic.

While this may seem overly generous, it seems to me the point of Conan RPG (at least to my mind) is to have an exciting, fast-paced game, not one bogged-down in the minutiae of bean-counting. Besides, in Howard's Conan stories, the main protagonist never dies...

 

[Hervé]

While this may seem overly generous, it seems to me the point of Conan RPG (at least to my mind) is to have an exciting, fast-paced game, not one bogged-down in the minutiae of bean-counting. Besides, in Howard's Conan stories, the main protagonist never dies...

You speak my mind, pal...

 

[kintire]

While this may seem overly generous, it seems to me the point of Conan RPG (at least to my mind) is to have an exciting, fast-paced game, not one bogged-down in the minutiae of bean-counting. Besides, in Howard's Conan stories, the main protagonist never dies...

Beyond the Black River is written from Balthus' perspective. He dies.

Still, it is a fact that heroes just don't go down that easily in Conan. The system is not attempting to replicate reality, but Conan tales. I see no reason why a single swordthrust shouldd kill a high level character. Minions could well be the way to go.

 

[Hervé]

I see no reason why a single swordthrust shouldd kill a high level character.

Ain't that what's happening already, with the uber combo 2hd Weapon/Power Attack/Massive Damage?

Minions could well be the way to go.

I like the idea, too.

 

[warzen]

I see no reason why a single swordthrust shouldd kill a high level character.

Ain't that what's happening already, with the uber combo 2hd Weapon/Power Attack/Massive Damage?

Solving that was one of the purposes of the Acheronian Edition IIRC

cf: http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=37094

And yes, minions is a must have for a Conan game.

W.

 

[Saeros]

I think the other thing to consider is the level distibution of the population. Most of the world is going to be made up of 1st level NPCs. The majority of the armies will be made up of 1st level soldiers. I give my minor NPCs average hitpoints, so the typical gate gaurd can be killed with one avergage blow from a broadsword. If the PC lands a weak blow, or if the damage reduction helps out, so be it. Most "minions" will go done with one blow, some might take two or three.

The strength of minions lies not in their individual stats but in their numbers.