When a GM is running an NPC the tactics are listed in the statblock. While I do have a PFS card, I have yet to play or GM a PFS games.
I have been told that the GM must follow the tactics listed in the statblock. I have also been told that the GM is free to ignore the suggested tactics. I can't find any PFS rules support for either side, but the fact that more than one knowledable poster has given me a varying answer makes me wonder how clear this is.
Which is correct?
|
Some tactics only cover the first round or two of combat while others dictate the entire flow of the fight. NPC tactics come in two varieties. The first is something like cast these buff spells/drink buff potions then enter combat. The second is something like focusing on the closest target till they are unconscious or dead before moving on to the next.
Unless the PCs do something that would completely prevent the NPC from following the tactics. Such as all PCs entering a room invisible providing them with complete surprise over the bad guy. Following the listed tactics as poor or silly as they might seem, is part of the run as written rule. They were written that way with intent, even if that intent isn't clear to the GM.
|
That said, enemies are also not stupid (well some are, check INT scores).
If the tactics for a 14 INT fighter say to focus on one guy at a time, but the PC he picked in round 1 ended up casting stoneskin and this fighter doesn't have adamantine weapons, there is no reason he should stay beating on the same PC.
|
There are two reasons for the published tactics to be there in the adventure.
One is for consistency from table to table playing the same adventure.
The other is to sometimes "dumb down" the NPC tactics, to make the encounters more survivable. I've actually seen battles against evil clerics where channeling negative energy every round would have TPKed the PCs pretty quickly, yet the listed tactics said to do other things and only channel as a way to heal undead minions.
In short, you're supposed to run all scenarios as written. Don't vary the tactics unless you really have to due to PC actions, not just because it would make sense to do so.