Post by Zyraen on Mar 19, 2019 11:40:36 GMT 8
UB ENCOUNTER BUILDING
UB Encounters are based on a few simple building blocks
A) Number of PCs
B) Their Level
C) "Standard" (Std) Enemies
A simple (ie relatively easy) encounter is simply PCs facing an equivalent number of Std foes, of the same level.
Eg 4 L3 PCs vs 4 L3 Std
Eg 6 L3 PCs vs 6 L3 Std
To make an Average Encounter, increase the Std level by 1 per 5 levels of PCs (round up), and add one Std if there are 4 or more PCs, and one more if 6 or more PCs.
Eg 4 L3 PCs vs 5 L4 Std
Eg 6 L3 PCs vs 8 L4 Std
Eg 5 L7 PCs vs 6 L9 Std
Edit (20 Oct 2020) : Number for average increased, +1 for 4, then again at 6.
From there, adjust the enemy levels and number of Std enemies to increase the difficulty.
Note the Std Level above is an average. Not all foes need be the same level, as long as the average enemy level is about right. It maybe however more complex for a new GM or improviser to run.
Note that the Level Gap of 1 per 5 levels of PCs is a starting measure. You can adjust this base "Gap" to account for overall party optimisation.
NUMBER CAP
Generally speaking, do not exceed 1.5 times the number of players. If exceeding 1.5 times, should be staggered activations, eg reinforcements.
There is no reason to field enemies equal or more than to twice the number of players, unless they're deliberately being idiots like charging an enemy army by themselves. If you wish to force a TPK or surrender/negotiation, fielding slightly above average number of enemies OR 6 to 8 levels higher than the usual Gap should suffice.
But really, you dont need a system to create an unfair fight! UB is a system for balanced combat.
EASY/SIMPLE FIGHTS
If you wish to have an easy filler fight, you can also reduce enemy numbers to as low as half the number of Std foes. Combat should take no more than 2-3 rounds.
Eg 4 L3 PCs vs 2-3 L3 Std
Note that Easy up to Simple fights are NOT recommended as
- it takes time to set up and roll inits
- many small combats take time off Roleplaying
- there is virtually zero chance of losing
- roles such as Slayers shine, while Tanks and especially Healers languish
- PCs typically regain all their HP upon resting
- players may get complacent and less cooperative with each other as its so easy anyway, why need to work together and help each other?
STD REPLACEMENTS
Now that we know how many Stds comprise an Average Encounter, you can replace Stds accordingly.
4 Minions = 1 Std (not recommended)
2 Mooks = 1 Std
1 Brute/Lurker = 1 Std
1 Elite = 2 Std
1 Solo = 5 Std (can be tweaked for 4 to 6 etc)
UB Encounters are based on a few simple building blocks
A) Number of PCs
B) Their Level
C) "Standard" (Std) Enemies
A simple (ie relatively easy) encounter is simply PCs facing an equivalent number of Std foes, of the same level.
Eg 4 L3 PCs vs 4 L3 Std
Eg 6 L3 PCs vs 6 L3 Std
To make an Average Encounter, increase the Std level by 1 per 5 levels of PCs (round up), and add one Std if there are 4 or more PCs, and one more if 6 or more PCs.
Eg 4 L3 PCs vs 5 L4 Std
Eg 6 L3 PCs vs 8 L4 Std
Eg 5 L7 PCs vs 6 L9 Std
Edit (20 Oct 2020) : Number for average increased, +1 for 4, then again at 6.
From there, adjust the enemy levels and number of Std enemies to increase the difficulty.
Note the Std Level above is an average. Not all foes need be the same level, as long as the average enemy level is about right. It maybe however more complex for a new GM or improviser to run.
Note that the Level Gap of 1 per 5 levels of PCs is a starting measure. You can adjust this base "Gap" to account for overall party optimisation.
NUMBER CAP
Generally speaking, do not exceed 1.5 times the number of players. If exceeding 1.5 times, should be staggered activations, eg reinforcements.
There is no reason to field enemies equal or more than to twice the number of players, unless they're deliberately being idiots like charging an enemy army by themselves. If you wish to force a TPK or surrender/negotiation, fielding slightly above average number of enemies OR 6 to 8 levels higher than the usual Gap should suffice.
But really, you dont need a system to create an unfair fight! UB is a system for balanced combat.
EASY/SIMPLE FIGHTS
If you wish to have an easy filler fight, you can also reduce enemy numbers to as low as half the number of Std foes. Combat should take no more than 2-3 rounds.
Eg 4 L3 PCs vs 2-3 L3 Std
Note that Easy up to Simple fights are NOT recommended as
- it takes time to set up and roll inits
- many small combats take time off Roleplaying
- there is virtually zero chance of losing
- roles such as Slayers shine, while Tanks and especially Healers languish
- PCs typically regain all their HP upon resting
- players may get complacent and less cooperative with each other as its so easy anyway, why need to work together and help each other?
STD REPLACEMENTS
Now that we know how many Stds comprise an Average Encounter, you can replace Stds accordingly.
4 Minions = 1 Std (not recommended)
2 Mooks = 1 Std
1 Brute/Lurker = 1 Std
1 Elite = 2 Std
1 Solo = 5 Std (can be tweaked for 4 to 6 etc)