Hey there all. Long time fan of Paizo, first time poster.
I am planning on running this damned excellent AP for my PbP group, but I seem to have a whole slew of people interested in it.
I seem to recall the AP's are designed with 4 PC's in mind, so does anyone have any suggestions on how to scale it for 6? Some encounters, like Bonegrinder, could maybe use some extra help- but I'm wondering about many others. The battle market, the pugwampis, etc. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.
If this has been answered before on the forums, sorry I missed it in my weak web-fu. Thanks.
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The most common method is giving them full HP.
A 2d8+2 (12HP) goes to 18HP. This makes the fights last a little longer, but also keeps them from dying on the first hit.
The second way is add 1 or 2 more of the same creatures. This is more tricky as this may tip the encounter into a no-win options for the PCs.
In either case, when figuring XP you have 3 options:
First, use the EL calculations and divide by the number of PCs. This lowers their advance rate and makes them lower levels than the enemy for later encounters.
Second, use the EL calculations as set in the encounter, then divide by four and give that to each of the 6 players. This keeps the PCs at the proper level.
Third, forget about the XP, just tell them when to level up.
Third, forget about the XP, just tell them when to level up.
+1!
I'd stick with the max HP version, except keep the pugwumpi's as they are. They are really a pain in the rear for the players and could eventually become non-fun. So a little frustration is very entertaining (and who doesn't like demon chihuahuas, eh?), but after a while it could turn into drudgery.
Personally, once they got to the "I hate these things" point, I limited the number of pugi's in a fight to just enough to remind them that they hate them. Otherwise I would have had a revolt.
Thanks guys. I think I'll see how the first few encounters go and work it out from there.
Next question, one of the players is planning to make a knight. Would the mounted combat be mostly wasted? I've only had the chance to read Howl of the Carrion King, and I know a good portion of the later AP takes place in a different plane so I'm wondering how useful it would be.
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Well, I have a shoanti fighter in Rise of the Rune Lords pbp that kicks major ass in mounted combat. We're only on the second adventure now, and the few (one or two) times he's been ahorse have been really really worth it.
I can't really recall offhand too many adventures that seem dedicated to mounted combat (could be wrong) but when it happens it's most excellent.
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A more complex version would be to use the system used in the Trailblazer system from Bad Axe game. You can download a free preview of it from RPGNow HERE.
I've used it with some success with the caveat that you have to take your players into account. Dragging out frustrating combat doesn't help anyone's game.
Well, I have a shoanti fighter in Rise of the Rune Lords pbp that kicks major ass in mounted combat. We're only on the second adventure now, and the few (one or two) times he's been ahorse have been really really worth it.
I can't really recall offhand too many adventures that seem dedicated to mounted combat (could be wrong) but when it happens it's most excellent.
Yeah, I was thinking having a mount to face off against Bonegrinder could make that fight actually feasible- but not sure if it could really be of use much elsewhere, aside from chasing the gnolls away from felipe and running away from the sarlac. Still those moments may be worth it.