Jason Cordova have you guys done a DR episode on high level characters and how to handle them as a GM?
Jason Cordova have you guys done a DR episode on high level characters and how to handle them as a GM?
Jason Cordova have you guys done a DR episode on high level characters and how to handle them as a GM?
When you say “high level,” do you mean characters who are level 8, 9 or 10 (and possibly beyond)? Or do you mean playing with god-like characters or in high powered settings? The answer in both cases is no, but I have separate thoughts about them.
When you say “high level,” do you mean characters who are level 8, 9 or 10 (and possibly beyond)? Or do you mean playing with god-like characters or in high powered settings? The answer in both cases is no, but I have separate thoughts about them.
they talked about a high level barbarian in the last episode
they talked about a high level barbarian in the last episode
Jason Cordova both really, but more about the level 8/9/10 characters. I had an 8th level fighter in my party, and had a tough time throwing challenges at them that he couldn’t solve with Strength. As Phil Vecchione mentioned in the cast (Daniel Fowler that episode was what spurred my question), it is very rare for a character to fail.
One other thing I did notice at around L5 or so, is the characters start to focus a lot more on the non-failure XP gainers, like Alignment and End of Session moves. I did use that to drive story, and I actually really liked that aspect.
Finally, my last thought tangentially related to this – I might in the future for a gas to create a character with a really low stat in their focus stat (Fighter with an 11 Strength for instance). Then level like a boss 🙂
Jason Cordova both really, but more about the level 8/9/10 characters. I had an 8th level fighter in my party, and had a tough time throwing challenges at them that he couldn’t solve with Strength. As Phil Vecchione mentioned in the cast (Daniel Fowler that episode was what spurred my question), it is very rare for a character to fail.
One other thing I did notice at around L5 or so, is the characters start to focus a lot more on the non-failure XP gainers, like Alignment and End of Session moves. I did use that to drive story, and I actually really liked that aspect.
Finally, my last thought tangentially related to this – I might in the future for a gas to create a character with a really low stat in their focus stat (Fighter with an 11 Strength for instance). Then level like a boss 🙂
Yeah, I remember that convo with Phil. I didn’t say anything at the time, but the reason why I’ve never had a character make it to level 10 is because I have managed to kill them before that happens. I so far haven’t found it particularly difficult to challenge higher level characters. I’m not sure, exactly, why that is the case, except I’m very tough about when you actually get to roll for something. If, for example, a character fell off a tall building or a dragon engulfed them in a column of fire or a goblin cut their throat in the middle of the night, I usually just send them straight to the black gate.
Yeah, I remember that convo with Phil. I didn’t say anything at the time, but the reason why I’ve never had a character make it to level 10 is because I have managed to kill them before that happens. I so far haven’t found it particularly difficult to challenge higher level characters. I’m not sure, exactly, why that is the case, except I’m very tough about when you actually get to roll for something. If, for example, a character fell off a tall building or a dragon engulfed them in a column of fire or a goblin cut their throat in the middle of the night, I usually just send them straight to the black gate.
no xp for failing last breath
no xp for failing last breath
Daniel Fowler True story on that one.
Daniel Fowler True story on that one.
Jason Cordova Good point. I have listened to the “What happened here recently” spots through all the episodes, and as noted, what happened to poor Ramshackle in his first combat seems indicative of what happens to your PCs (note the Castafiel brother who’s name I forget and his encounter with an Eye of Gruumsh…)
I’m not quite as brutal – and maybe I should be more so…
Jason Cordova Good point. I have listened to the “What happened here recently” spots through all the episodes, and as noted, what happened to poor Ramshackle in his first combat seems indicative of what happens to your PCs (note the Castafiel brother who’s name I forget and his encounter with an Eye of Gruumsh…)
I’m not quite as brutal – and maybe I should be more so…
Yeah, I’m really fucking brutal. Combat happens infrequently in my games, but when it does, the players are usually terrified of it, haha
Yeah, I’m really fucking brutal. Combat happens infrequently in my games, but when it does, the players are usually terrified of it, haha
I think those be an interesting conversation for the cast if you get people with thoughts or experience!
I think those be an interesting conversation for the cast if you get people with thoughts or experience!
I almost always finish a campaign with my players all around level 10. My games tend to be more high fantasy, high adventure types as opposed to gritty and dark. Not to say that my players haven’t faced death before, it’s played a wonderful role in the story of our games.
EDIT: Actually now that I think about it, only one character has died permanently in my games and it was cinematically at the end of a campaign, killing a lich in the process. The rest of the time they have gotten partial successes. Once someone died and they just happened to have a cleric with revive. So really they have all been lucky when it comes to Last Breath.
I almost always finish a campaign with my players all around level 10. My games tend to be more high fantasy, high adventure types as opposed to gritty and dark. Not to say that my players haven’t faced death before, it’s played a wonderful role in the story of our games.
EDIT: Actually now that I think about it, only one character has died permanently in my games and it was cinematically at the end of a campaign, killing a lich in the process. The rest of the time they have gotten partial successes. Once someone died and they just happened to have a cleric with revive. So really they have all been lucky when it comes to Last Breath.