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Running Tactical encounters?

PostPosted: Sun May 05, 2013 7:19 am
by jedion357
I'd like everyone's evaluation of methods for running tactical encoutners

We just did the fight in the trees in PBP and it seemed to me to be ok. A bit stilted but ok for the method of game play.

I'd like to explore other possibilities for handling tactical encounters as there are more than a few in the Volturnus campaign.
So please comment and share your experiences as to what you have done in the past and what worked and what did not work.

Unless I've missed something I believe there are 3 major areas to comment on: (A.) alternate methods for doing tactical encounters in PBP (B.) scheduling whether we can sync up schedules and have a day and time to meet via the internet (C.) Platform for meeting and running tactical encounters

Re: Running Tactical encounters?

PostPosted: Sun May 05, 2013 7:28 am
by jedion357
A. I dont have any hard Ideas for alternate methods of handling tactical encounters in PBP. I will try a more abstract story method at some point to see how it works.

B. scheduling is probably the single biggest challenge, Sam tried to do this on short notice suggesting that if we got a quorum we might move things along, looking for a quorum of members might be a way to do this- at my regular D&D group if one person didn't show we still played and NPCed his character that night but the problem with that is if one person's schedule means he doesn't make it everytime then its almost as if they are getting shunted aside from the game and I dont like that. We are all spread over various time zones and If need be I'm prepare to simply do everything in PBP.
If there is a possibility of meeting virtually then my best days are Friday after 9pm Eastern time and Sunday after 7pm Eastern, Saturday is a possibility in the late afternoon (6 or later but I need to plan a head as there is always the possibility of work wanting or needing me to stay to close which is 8pm)
Straight chat window Tom Stephens site has a very servicable chat window

C. Platforms
1. chat window can work and the one on this site is certainly serviceable (thank you Tom Stephens for you work in putting that one up)
2. I've used skype with google docs and for the Virtual con game that I ran and my experience there was that it was twitchy but we got it done
3. I'm played with software that you had to download and run on you computer and master its rather hinky learning curve to use it and I hated that.
4. Pierre Savoy just posted this link on the SF_Un yahoo group for a browser based table top that looks good but I've only jsut registered for the free account and watched the you tube overview video:
https://app.roll20.net/home
I like what I'm seeing with this especially since it seems that its built with rpg specifically in mind. its selling points are that its free, the 3d dice that roll on the map (plus other dice features for in chat or in a whisper to the GM) and that worst case is you supposedly need google chrome though I was just playing with it in firefox browser.

those I my thoughts I looking forward to hearing everyone elses comments

Re: Running Tactical encounters?

PostPosted: Sun May 05, 2013 9:34 am
by Shadow Shack
Fast forwarding through the combat was a good move, by the book it could have taken at least a month to resolve that combat in PBP.

As far as I'm concerned, once the players declare movement and actions, in PBP there's really no need to break it down round by round after that.

Re: Running Tactical encounters?

PostPosted: Sun May 05, 2013 10:48 am
by jedion357
Shadow Shack wrote:Fast forwarding through the combat was a good move, by the book it could have taken at least a month to resolve that combat in PBP.

As far as I'm concerned, once the players declare movement and actions, in PBP there's really no need to break it down round by round after that.


Thats a more abstract approach to combat. I found doing the update maps a pain. The plus side is that it speeds the game up. but limits the ability of a player to adjust to circumstances like low stamina or an ally near death.

Another idea just occurred to me that another tactic might be for the referee to declare move and action intentions of the opponent facing each PC along with the stat block and equipment and allow each player to roll out the combat for their character for say 4-6 rounds and post what happens. We all have dice and we all know the rules- and people would be free to take some dramatic license if they wished.

Re: Running Tactical encounters?

PostPosted: Sun May 05, 2013 4:16 pm
by Shadow Shack
No doubt maps are a PITA, it was the one thing I always dreaded in PBP games.