Re: Re[2]: [WW] The feel of the game (rant)

[PdLaCara@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/20/01 2:38:13 AM, reuter@tse-online.de writes:

<<Hi Peter!

(strange quoting system you are using...)>>

I've got AOL. AOL likes to be screwy.

<< 
You definitely would have to "isolate" the pcs squad. If they are part
of a larger engagement, just give the "right and left flank" a few
hitpoints each, figure out what damage each side is doing and
subtract. That way you'll be able to describe what is happening
tactically, without playing out every single trooper.

Example: The 121th Panzergrenadier Regiment is counterattacking allied
positions in Normandy. They have an advantage in numbers (say 4:1),
but somewhat lack ammo and heavy guns (they were being refitted).

The Allies are well trenched in and got to choose their positions.

Depending on the size of the battle, have the Axis have 200 "hit
points" and the Allies 50. The Axis gets to roll 1d6-1 damage each
round (-1 for cover), while the Allies roll 1d6+1 (+1 for open field
of fire). After 10 rounds, Axis fire drops to 1d6-2, because of ammo
shortages.

If the PCs are doing really well, let their action modify this little
system - they'll feel all the more important (and medals afterwards
might be just a lot more justified).

Of course you could develop a lot more complicated system, but - that
would almost be wargaming. Feel free to modify the above idea (oh, the
GIs have Bazookas - have them shoot d8s against the armored
elements... and so on). >>

Actually, that's gotta be the best cinematic way to handle large scale 
battles I've heard yet. Thanks Arne!

<<Just a note: I love the new D&D for all the care they put into it and
for the intriguing open d20 idea (without it we wouldn't be discussing
Panzer vs. Dragon here). After almost 10 years of abstaining from AD&D
I even formed up two groups for playing it.

But IMHO the system takes away from roleplaying, because it centers so
much on rules: Take fights for example. You swing, you roll and hit or
not. All special actions need to be explained by rules (if you were to
follow the rules). What about more free-form, cinematic moves?
Something like (I turn aside the blow with my sword, trap the club
against my shield, twist on my right foot and slam my elbow in his
face). That's what i am missing in D&D (yes, i love Feng Shui).

Mit freundlichen Gruessen,

Arne Reuter >>

Feng Shui is one of the coolest games ever. Too bad we can never get anyone 
to run it.

As a DM of D&D I try to be fairly liberal in stuff that I let the pcs do. 
I've got people trying to clothsline other people in spiked armor. So I just 
have them roll, like, a grapple check or something like that and just wing 
things. That's one of the things that I've learned to love about 3rd edition, 
is that the core rules are malleable enough that I can allow for weird stuff 
that happens in the game fairly quickly.

I'm looking forward to the same "wingablility" in WW.

The First Peter (there's more than one of us)