Falling off the edge

[CommanderG]

Question on Combat Scenarios – what if anything is the ruling on leaving the defined battle area in PFS? Just to be clear, Defined battle area is the map provided in the scenario for the combat.

Since nothing is written in the scenario on this and the scenario is to be ran “as written”, is this:

1. Not allowed
2. Considered a fail for that encounter
3. Acts - like asteroids and they warp to the other side

Doesn't seem that the GM has the right to simply extend the battle map - cause that would be or could be a serious modification to the combat.

[GreyYeti]

3. Add terrain that ist similar in style and composition to the terrain of the map left and continue the encounter.

That is what i would try to do.

Guide to Organized Play p32 wrote:

However, if the actions of the PCs before or during an encounter invalidate the provided tactics or starting locations, the GM should consider whether changing these would provide a more enjoyable play experience.

I don't think that adding an invisible wall to the edge of the playing arena or some sort of "ring out" encounter fail provides an enjoyable experience to my players.

[godsDMit]

Most groups will assume they should try to stay within the area on the map, but if the go off of it, no big deal. Use your best judgement for the particular situation.

[GM Lamplighter]

There's no rule about leaving the "battle area" - if the map is not an enclosed space but (say) part of a city, the GM can and should follow the action off the map. No "5 foot step to safety off the map"-type stuff. There is also no failure for backing off, regrouping, rethinking, or what have you unless specified in the encounter. GMs should be encouraging players who are careful, thoughtful, or creative. Otherwise, you encourage people to make PCs that are just bags of hit points so they can "win" by surviving.

[andreww]

GM Lamplighter wrote:

There is also no failure for backing off, regrouping, rethinking, or what have you unless specified in the encounter.

I would not think this part is true at all. If you back off from an enounter to regroup I would not expect enemies to just ignore that and be in the same place, using the same tactics when you come back. I would expect them to react to your attack and then be better prepared for your return in as naturalistic a way as possible having regard to their abilities, intelligence, numbers and organisation.

I wouldn't do something that might lead to an automatic module failure (leaving with the mcguffin or such like) unless it was specifically called out but I would definately have them react in some way.

[nosig]

I am force to ask if this thread is an April 1st thread... "Falling off the edge..."??

[WalterGM]

I extend the map whenever an encounter stretches off of it.

This happens frequently in the higher level games, and nobody ever has a problem with it. If a PC looks like they'll be heading "off board" I give them a heads up of what to expect.

"That far back the woods get a lot thicker, so there will probably be concealment and difficult terrain."

This is fine to do.

-------------------------------

It would be unfair for me to add more creatures when I extended the map though.

"Oh jeez, there's another nest of goblins that way! Looks like they hop in the combat as well."

This is not OK to do.

[grandpoobah]

Typically the flavor text in the adventure gives you a clue of the terrain:

"you walk through a narrow five foot wide corridor before it opens up into a big cavern (MAP)"

"after stumbling through the forest, you come upon a clearing" (use dense forest vegetation rules, or something similar)

etc.

Just extrapolate as Walter said - but also double-check the scenario, a lot of times the GM text tells you what the PCs were walking through just outside the encounter area (and what might lie beyond it).

I would say about 50% of encounters are in enclosed dungeons, so it doesn't come up very often.

[Robert Smythe]

Huh, so am I the only one that has the PC that goes off the map appear on the other side?

[The Fox]

Eric Clingenpeel wrote:

Huh, so am I the only one that has the PC that goes off the map appear on the other side?

Nope I run all my encounters on a torus also...Well RP^2 really, because when you come in on the other side, you are upside down.

"It's like this dungeon was built by M.C. Escher!"

[GM Lamplighter]

andreww: Yes, the enemies can (and should) react to the knowledge they now have of the PCs, and be ready for trouble. The question, however, was if that constituted an auto-fail... which it does not.

[nosig]

The Fox wrote:

Eric Clingenpeel wrote:

Huh, so am I the only one that has the PC that goes off the map appear on the other side?

Nope I run all my encounters on a torus also...Well RP^2 really, because when you come in on the other side, you are upside down.

"It's like this dungeon was built by M.C. Escher!"

hay... then when that archer shoots at something and misses, the arrow hits him in the back of the neck? wierd! How many range increments to cross the map board?

[godsDMit]

nosig wrote:

The Fox wrote:

Eric Clingenpeel wrote:

Huh, so am I the only one that has the PC that goes off the map appear on the other side?

Nope I run all my encounters on a torus also...Well RP^2 really, because when you come in on the other side, you are upside down.

"It's like this dungeon was built by M.C. Escher!"

hay... then when that archer shoots at something and misses, the arrow hits him in the back of the neck? wierd! How many range increments to cross the map board?

I was thinking this same thing. Getting Point Blank Shot to work, as well as being close enough for a gunsligner to get their touch shots, would be much more simple with this kind of map, I think.

And I dont even want to think about charging lanes. :P

[Jiggy]

My combats take place on a mobius strip.

[Bbauzh ap Aghauzh]

I typically consider the warp effect if a wrap around as either Improved Cover or 4 range increments dependent on whether the shooter ate enough bran for breakfast or not.

[Jiggy]

Don't get me started on all the ways the game can be affected by players' levels of bran intake. ;)

[BigNorseWolf]

You fall off and land on the back of turtles holding up the world, duh.

[FLite]

So, I'm still the only one who has the person appear on the far edge, only inside out. (resulting in fortitude checks for anyone who sees him arrive.)

[Finlanderboy]

BigNorseWolf wrote:

You fall off and land on the back of turtles holding up the world, duh.

What gender is the turle?

[BigNorseWolf]

Finlanderboy wrote:

BigNorseWolf wrote:

You fall off and land on the back of turtles holding up the world, duh.

What gender is the turle?

Boy girl boy girl boy girl boy girl

[Finlanderboy]

BigNorseWolf wrote:

Finlanderboy wrote:

BigNorseWolf wrote:

You fall off and land on the back of turtles holding up the world, duh.

What gender is the turle?

Boy girl boy girl boy girl boy girl

We should plan an adventure to find out. This is important!

[Professor X]

BigNorseWolf wrote:

Finlanderboy wrote:

BigNorseWolf wrote:

You fall off and land on the back of turtles holding up the world, duh.

What gender is the turle?

Boy girl boy girl boy girl boy girl

I first heard that parable when learning about the differential properties of y = exp(x).

But this really is y = exp(–x), isn't it?

[kinevon]

Finlanderboy wrote:

BigNorseWolf wrote:

Finlanderboy wrote:

BigNorseWolf wrote:

You fall off and land on the back of turtles holding up the world, duh.

What gender is the turle?

Boy girl boy girl boy girl boy girl

We should plan an adventure to find out. This is important!

I call dibs on the Luggage!