Hello! Me (the GM) and my group are new to Pathfinder (but got a little experience from Dragon Age and Star Wars).
So far we've had a lot of fun with RotR. The party is just about to enter the Catacombs of Wrath for the first time. They won over Tsuto quite easily (along with 3 goblins), even though only 2 (out of 4 PCs) was present in the fight.
So now I wonder whether the potions (mainly potions of cure wounds) listed on the enemies, should be used by the enemies when appropriate? Until now I've given them out as rewards after the fights, since the combat tactics doesn't mention them.
Also, after the fight where Tsuso survived I had him kill himself with an arrow which I very much regret now... :[
Go with whatever works for you.
Normally my npc's don't drink potions during fights as they don't heal enough damage to be worth the action. However if they get an opportunity they use spells or potions to heal out of combat. A badly injured npc may try to run away and then use the potions
If you are worried using potions/scrolls etc does not leave enough loot for the players you could consider what is listed is what the npc had left after the fight. Or just consider that the potion are a reward for the pc's if they efficiently kill the bad guys.
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RotR is a notoriously difficult AP. I TPKd my party during book two following the tactics as written. (which I feel reflects more on the party I play with then it does on my efforts to keep them alive, however, character death is fairly common in RotR). Never be afraid to change it up a bit. If the ghouls are supposed to swarm over the PCs but they aren't handling other fights well don't do it. If it doesn't mention any NPC using a potion but they have an INT of at least 10 I normally let them use it, especially if the combat is working against them and in favor of the PCs.
Ok, thanks to the both of you. I don't know the system that well yet, so it's very nice to hear other opinions. I guess "the problem" will also be much less a little farther in.
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I always have my NPCs use the equipment they carry in the manner that best fits their personality and tactics. There's nothing wront with having a goblin drink a potion of cure if he's wounded. That said, given the nature of goblins in Pathfinder, it may not occur to a goblin to use a potion!
A common exclamation at our table when an NPC opponent drinks a potion is for someone to say "They're drinking the loot!"
-Skeld
A goblin would probably put a few jalapenos into the potion to make it taste nice, then forget about it (quite what effect that might have on the potion or the PC who drinks it is unknown). And then it would drink it at an inappropriate moment simply because it was hungry.
I always have my NPCs use the equipment they carry in the manner that best fits their personality and tactics. There's nothing wront with having a goblin drink a potion of cure if he's wounded. That said, given the nature of goblins in Pathfinder, it may not occur to a goblin to use a potion!
A common exclamation at our table when an NPC opponent drinks a potion is for someone to say "They're drinking the loot!"
-Skeld
Funny, my players have the exact same reaction. "Stop drinking our potions!"
Getting all RAW for a moment, healing potions are part of an NPC or monster's assumed treasure and part of what makes them worth the XP for their respective CR. If you don't have them use the healing potions they carry, you're essentially making them easier to defeat. Taking potions is not likely to be listed in an NPC's tactics because it isn't really a plan. (Quote from Tremors- Running isn't a plan. Running is what you do when a plan fails.) Taking healing potions isn't a plan, it's what you do when the plan fails.
That being said, actually using a potion can be tricky - they can take take AoO if they do it in a threatened square and it might be hard to get to an non-threatened square without taking other attacks. Still, I don't think it takes much intelligence (4 or better?) for a creature to realize: "Hey! My butt gettin' kicked. I gonna die. Special juice make me better. I drink it." Most sentient creatures will run away to fight another day (and drink their healing potions) if their death is imminent.
A goblin might forget that the potion was a potion and drink it because he was thirsty!
A potion of CLW typically heals about 5HP. If a goblin has taken less damage than that they might not drink it. If they are down to only 1 or 2 HP they probably will. You could always give the players an AoO to try and disarm the goblin to prevent him from drinking it! That's not strictly RAW I think but what the hell.
Peet
Thanks again for the inputs. I'll have to start using those potions whenever it make sense and if it doesn't, then leave them for the PCs to get.