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If a table ends up without any healing ability, is it appropriate for Society play for the DM to include an NPC cleric just for healing?
I've got a table tonight of Wizard, Wizard, Wizard, Fighter and a module that doesn't lend itself to resting.
This is a decision the players need to make. You can caution them that the scenario is not going to allow for rest and it's your suggestion someone swap out their PC with a cleric. However, just because they have no healing doesn't mean they are doomed to failure. Some players may enjoy themselves more with this handicap. It's their choice, don't bend the rules because you think you know what's best for them. Adding a cleric as an NPC is not allowed under Society rules, unless there are less than 4 players. Out of curiousity, which scenario will you be running?
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Nosig is correct, by OP rules, the only time the GM can introduce a pregen/NPC party member is if there are only three players and it's needed to legalize the table.
It might be a harsh position, but the players should play what they want. Many people feel that a healer is not required. If it was that important to the players, then someone would play one. As was stated above, there are other ways to heal, Infernal Healing, consumables, etc. With three wizards and a fighter blocking for them, most encounters should be quickly over. Either due to buffing the fighter into an uber damage dealer, or due to save-or-suck spells that control the battlefield. Assuming the players are competent, I wouldn't worry about it.
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I'm a firm believer that people should play what they want to play, regardless of the rest of the party. It tends to pull players out of their comfort zone and encourages more creative solutions to the problems they meet.
For instance, I recently ran a table with a party of four clerics. They all had decent armor, and low attack bonuses. It was a low-tier game, so most of the fights ended up being something like this:
Player 1: "Miss"
Player 2: "Miss"
Player 3: "Miss"
Enemy: "Miss"
Player 4: "Miss"
Player 1: "Miss"
Player 2: "Hit for 1 point of damage"
Player 3: "Miss"
Enemy: "Hit player 1 for 2 points damage"
Player 4: "I'll heal player 1!"
Lather, rinse, repeat.
Every fight took a long time; the whole scenario ran for six hours (good thing it was a home game). It was interesting though, to see the players adapt their tactics. For instance, I saw a lot more "aid another" actions in combat, just so they would start hitting more often.
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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If a table ends up without any healing ability, is it appropriate for Society play for the DM to include an NPC cleric just for healing?
I've got a table tonight of Wizard, Wizard, Wizard, Fighter and a module that doesn't lend itself to resting.
As others have said, no, you can't give them a free healer.
An important thing to keep in mind is that as GMs, we have a responsibility not only to the players at our tables, but also to the thousands of other players. If my players decide not to include healing and so I give it to them for free, then I've just cheated every player who faced the same challenge without the help, and every player who spent a bunch of gold on potions to cover the gap instead, and every player who made a cleric just to provide healing even though they'd rather have played something else, etc.
Also (again, as has been said), the "no healer" issue can be a fun challenge for the players. I've played in a scenario with 4 PCs, with no arcane casting and a single level of paladin (to activate wands of CLW) as our only healing. We did fine.
I've also played in a subtier 8-9 scenario with a group of mostly 6th-level PCs. Via smart tactics, we steamrolled the scenario with no one even going unconscious (except the fallen animal companion, Bzzzt, rest his soul). I believe I took a grand total of 14 damage in that session.
"Healer" as a role is not needed in PFS.
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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(your statement seems to imply that there are roles needed, but "Healer" is not amoung them.)
Not what I meant. I was differentiating not between the healer role and other roles, but rather between healing as a function and healing as a role.
Sorry for the confusion. :)
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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Jiggy, what roles ARE needed in PFS? (your statement seems to imply that there are roles needed, but "Healer" is not amoung them.)
The party has to have a way of dealing with people who aren't going to be happy with them.
Most groups just kill things until they cooperate but the exact method is is flexible. You might just sneak past everything or talk people out of their pants.
"Healer" is a person who helps other people do what needs to be done. They can be fun to have in a party but ultimately you need some way to get stuff done.
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Only role required is someone who can figure out party tactics. Most parties can get through a session, as long as they set out a plan and follow through.
And here I thought the only tactic needed was, "Kill them ALL! Let the GM sort them out afterwards! Bwhahaha!"
Oops. Did I post that out loud? ;)
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Only role required is someone who can figure out party tactics. Most parties can get through a session, as long as they set out a plan and follow through.And here I thought the only tactic needed was, "Kill them ALL! Let the GM sort them out afterwards! Bwhahaha!"
Oops. Did I post that out loud? ;)
Come to my table, see what happens ;)