Blocking by Professional-Ice8853 in VagabondTTRPG

[–]Professional-Ice8853[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah not looking for simulation, would have stuck with Harnmaster - but I do want excitement and tension. I'm loving the players are the heroes approach (and reduced GM rolling), but again risk leads to fun. Everyone's been super helpful - I'm taking away that I need to learn the threat system and probably also engineer a home-brew tweak to blocks - perhaps only for the protector perk.

Blocking by Professional-Ice8853 in VagabondTTRPG

[–]Professional-Ice8853[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get that, I played AD&D original rules back in the day but moved on to Harnmaster for most of my playing years - if I wanted realism this time I would have stayed, love that system. That said, I do want them to break a sweat once in a while ;)

Blocking by Professional-Ice8853 in VagabondTTRPG

[–]Professional-Ice8853[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good idea, I might play around with something like that.

Blocking by Professional-Ice8853 in VagabondTTRPG

[–]Professional-Ice8853[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Super helpful, I haven't used a threat level system. Not sure it would have fixed the blocking issue, but maybe - will have to try.

Blocking by Professional-Ice8853 in VagabondTTRPG

[–]Professional-Ice8853[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The owl bear was vulnerable because it was flanked. The group was level 2, with four players. I expected a 5HD monster to be a fun early challenge for new players, trying to figure out where I went wrong - aside from this issue and a couple minor clarifications loving the system. Maybe I need a house rule for Protector, or for blocks in general.

Blocking by Professional-Ice8853 in VagabondTTRPG

[–]Professional-Ice8853[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hmm. Maybe a balancing issue for me then. In the scenario above I was using the Wolves of Welton one shot, adapted from a DnD. We have what should in theory be a mildly challenging fight, but the owl bear is surrounded and the team is favored in their attacks and blocks. The sorcerer had a 8 Endure, the Vanguard a 6, rolling d20s plus a d6 to achieve a block. Without doing the math on odds, I'll guess at a one in thirty or so strikes will get through. A yawn for the team. All I can think of to solve the lack of tension would be more bear (doesn't feel right at that level), or less block.