In my group, we alternate between sessions in which we have a lot of combat and sessions in which we do a lot of social stuff and story development. Due to that, most of us have allies walking around and traveling with us. Sometimes this means that combat gets cluttered, especially if the big bad has minions of several types running around, or if someone starts summoning.
Previously, i tried to fix this by limiting the number of non-cohort NPCs could be taken into battle (similar to max group size in console and computer games) to have the combats NPC-action-light...
But I have another idea now: Ally points
Rules:
In combat, all NPCs (cohorts not included) present roll initiative. On their initiative, they take no actions unless someone spends an ally point, except for moving with the party somewhat. (if all melee PCs move forward, the melee NPCs will also take a move action as to be able to take an action when called for)
Every PC has a pool of Ally points, which has a number of points equal to the level of that character or 3, whichever is lower. Spending an ally point is a free action that can be taken if not dead, unconscious, or otherwise physically removed from the combat (e.g: imprisonment, maze)
Spend an ally point to:
- activate one ally: that ally does a chosen activity on his or her next turn. The player spending the point can ask for a general or specific action (buff me, or magic missile on that enemy for example). If the action is one that takes multiple turns, that NPC is locked in that action until finished or until unable to finish it. An NPC that is locked cannot be activated by spending an ally point.
Gain an ally point:
- at the start of the first round or surprise round of combat
- when you have a meaningful roleplay encounter with one of your allies. e.g.: When an ally discovers the big villain is actually family of his or her, help him or her get to terms with the new situation... Only the PCs who help with this get the ally point
- when you do something heroic to help an ally (even in combat) at some cost to yourself
Leadership Special Rules:
- Ally point pool is increased by 2 or by Cha modifier, whichever is lower. Negative Cha modifiers do not deduct points from this pool.
- Spend an ally point to give your cohort one of the benefits of spending a hero point (spend 2 ally points to save cohort from death)
- Spend an ally point to enter a group of 1d4+Cha bonus followers into combat. They can do a group attack (one attack with several aid anothers) and leave combat again.
- Gain an ally point when your cohort gains a level.
I would like some feedback on this... I just got this idea while thinking how to manage NPCs in the next campaign I will lead.
If you think it would not work, try to explain your thoughts why not.
Any changes that would make it better, streamline it etc...
I like the idea, and you might have a good mechanic for it, but it's hard to tell without knowing more about your campaign and players.
Here are a few notes anyway.
- Why can't allies help you when you're unconscious? I'd take out the restriction that says ally points don't work while you're "out", but it would be reasonable to charge 2 points instead of one.
- "Every PC has a pool of Ally points, which has a number of points equal to the level of that character or 3, whichever is lower."
Does the PC gain these when going up a level? Do they refresh, or is this the number that should last them through the level? - Non-cohort followers are really not meant to fight. Although I've considered a rewrite of the leadership feat to increase their level.