Alright, so this is week 3 in a row that we've been adventurers that aren't real good at adventuring. I've definitely played on another PW where groups worked together well and players knew their roles. We can do that too, we just need practice.
I just downloaded and installed EE. Looks like the internet game option works, and it looks like anyone can set up any old server and make it available for people to log into. Not real sure offhand what it would take to get a mod up where we could create and level up characters that we could then go adventure with and then if we die, we just respawn and try again, but that's what we need.
Anyway, this is just an idea. Not that I'll have time to do it myself. But I had enough time to install EE and start an internet game tonight because our session ended early.
Currently laying the smackdown on Faerun as: Keryn Tel'Jora, who is XXX-TREME!!!.
Currently explaining the meaninglessness of it all as Vizian Nazyr.
Currently pointing out all other characters' shortcomings as Stephen the Archer.
We essentially have respawning going on now. Sometimes circumstances thwart even the best of plans. No plan survives first contact, as they say in the military. I don't disagree that there are a few things we can improve on tactically, but there are other things we can do as well.
Personally, I don't think we take advantage of everything at our disposal for some of these bigger encounters. A bard song or two before we wade in can go a long way. Actually using some of those speed potions (or the equivalent) before combat can also be effective. How about having an invisible party member (or two or three, even) running around with a cure moderate wound wand healing folks? Some area effect spells might be handy as well, if we have them available.
Moving forward, we know that the lizardmen with bows are killing us quickly. It may be that they can be picked off, but once it is established they are there, they should be engaged to bring them down, even though they are not even the most dangerous opponents. These Yuan-ti are summoning dire bears. Dismissal scrolls or spells might help with those.
I might also suggest that crocodiles are animals; an important detail
There's a place I like to hide
A doorway that I run through in the night
Relax child, you were there
But only didn't realize and you were scared
It's a place where you will learn
To face your fears, retrace the years
And ride the whims of your mind
FYI I did attempt to dismiss a fire bear. 1) The range on the spell is distressingly short so I kept running after it. It was half dead when I finally got in range 2) and then the spell didn’t work.
Invisi-heal is a thing wizards can do after they buff but I’d need everyone’s potions. There aren’t wands I can use on the server.
Ideas like these are good. But I still think the headlong haphazard charge was the issue. We weren’t prepared for that type of encounter.
Currently laying the smackdown on Faerun as: Keryn Tel'Jora, who is XXX-TREME!!!.
Currently explaining the meaninglessness of it all as Vizian Nazyr.
Currently pointing out all other characters' shortcomings as Stephen the Archer.
Mick wrote: How about having an invisible party member (or two or three, even) running around with a cure moderate wound wand healing folks? Some area effect spells might be handy as well, if we have them available.
Gaia/Gus has been doing this for weeks now. It is why he ran through 5 or 6 invisibility potions, 30 charges from a CMW wand and two dozen CLW potions on our first (successful, I might add) trip to the Citadel of the Bloody Hand.
I also tried (unsuccessfully) to get Gus compensated for the expense, saying IC that our clerics are less likely to heal us if they are made into paupers from the experience.
The only other advice that I have is: "Wait for your scouts to report back and listen to what they say." But all of you already know that. Right?
NWN2 (Failed Experiment): Muir Cheartach, AKA The Pale Faced Pie Man
R.I.P.: Croaker Lyosbarr, Knight of Yartar, Lord of Lhuvenhead (NWN1)
"In no uncertain terms, i am adamantly opposed to any ingame mechanics that penalize players for wanting to meet up with other players, when their goal is to roleplay." - White Warlock
It totally was the haphazard charge that did us in T, and that was all on me. Sorry guys, I feel pretty crappy about screwing that one up. It wasn’t even what I planned on, IC or OOC. I pictured a measured press forward into their front guard with all of us in tight formation and a quick withdrawal if we called it. But I got fixated on putting the caster down, which I realized too slowly was going to take a very long time. I didn’t notice until too late that the acid arrows were killing me quick. By the time I did I was dead before I had time to click a potion.
If I can meta share a bit, Arryn in game has been recklessly striking out on his own, because he feels he has been too dependent on those he cares about and wants to test himself, and get better at what he does, but last night’s cock up wasn’t on him. That was just me sucking at D&D.
Anyway I took a lot of people into the morgue with me, so apologies again for my dum dum. I wish I could say it will be the last time, but it won’t! I’ve been killing off my pc’s for a long time now so no reason to think I’ll change overnight.
It would have been a completely appropriate response for Rick to say “Nope, that was dumb. He’s dead.”, so thanks Rick for giving me (and everybody else who dropped) a second chance.
I’m dusting off the ego and getting ready to play again, so watch out! See you in costume, folks.
Character arcs are sharp, pointy little things. A little blood may spill!
Now Playing: Luva Si'nede, Olivus Angustian
Past Characters: Valyar Floshin, Sarenna Irithyl, Millicent Riverstone, Dev Revels, Catarina Helms, Fenris Estelmer, Arryn Temple, Penrose Hawke, Kara Ravensfell, Arana Belecthor
Having a leader giving commands is a great idea in principle. However, in reality, it just doesn't work. It is too hard to type out text commands in the heat of combat and mage leaders are often standing back far enough that they cannot see the entire battlefield. They could load text macros, but folks then also have to pay attention to the dialogue box during the battle, which not everyone does.
I did not realize the range on dismissal was so short. I thought it was an area effect spell, but if you have to target the actual beast, then it is less effective.
For the record, we did wait for our scout to report back. Unfortunately, he could not see the entirety of the field either. The Yuan-ti are quite perceptive and I'm fairly confident they could/can see invisible creatures.
I mostly agree with Mick there about having a leader. But, there in the case of retreating which can sometimes save a party.
"RUN" is something that should be used more often. A lot of times a fall back and regroup can separate ranks of the bad guys while the party heals up some. Sometimes the area is too tight to do that, but it's saved a lot of death in the past, even in small groups. Just get the hell out, maybe some enemies will follow but better than just getting killed.
NWN2 (Failed Experiment): Muir Cheartach, AKA The Pale Faced Pie Man
R.I.P.: Croaker Lyosbarr, Knight of Yartar, Lord of Lhuvenhead (NWN1)
"In no uncertain terms, i am adamantly opposed to any ingame mechanics that penalize players for wanting to meet up with other players, when their goal is to roleplay." - White Warlock
Sounds like a lizard sympathizer to me. Quick where’s my shovel??
Currently laying the smackdown on Faerun as: Keryn Tel'Jora, who is XXX-TREME!!!.
Currently explaining the meaninglessness of it all as Vizian Nazyr.
Currently pointing out all other characters' shortcomings as Stephen the Archer.
We absolutely could have beat those Yuan Ti. How about a good ole Grease spell for hostile casters please? Would work on the Archers too. Arryn, if you haven't taken knockdown yet, please do.
We have lots of gold collectively and those with the most should invest in some Bombs. We should never have a head first charge into melee against those kind of foes without softening them up some first.
And Mick is right about haste. Kiir used his Monk speed and Tumble and stealth to run around and not even take a hit in the entire fight. Granted he was probably lowest level there and not getting targeted as much.
I don't think we need to practice so much as stick to some tried and true battle tactics. The ole Bait and run ala Rook works well most of the time. Using bottle necks is another tried and true classic. When it comes to all out melee the flankers need to remember to flank and the healers need to concentrate on healing instead of fighting. Oh and don't chase mobs when they run away. It always leads to disaster. The AI should not be smarter than us =D
