New Loremaster looking for some tips

[Havinor]

Hi Aramis,

So in the scenario you proposed. Hill Troll attacking 2 heroes. Hill Troll and hero 1 in forward stance, Hero 2 in Defensive stance. Lets say the Fellowship have initiative. Hero 1 goes first, then the troll, then Hero 2. Forward Stance goes first and the heroes have initiative. If the troll has initiative, it goes first, followed by Hero 1, then Hero 2.
Again, I will definitely be using the combat system as per the book because obviously this has been playtested over and over and also it seems like a very popular game so the combat system must work, otherwise there would be a lot of posts on the forum complaining about it. I was just surprised to see it that way and wondered if anyone else thought the same.
I'm still going through the rulebook and it's brilliant!! Now into the Loremaster's section, Advancement Points and Experience Points. Now I understand what the 3 wee boxes are, next to each row of the skills!! I like that idea. Simple and measurable

[SirGalrim]

I can not see that anyone has mentioned it yet but by RAW adversaries don't fall before the end of the round if they are reduced to 0 Endurance. See page 231. They only fall immediately if Wounded. So usually everyone gets it's turn in a round no matter where they are in the order. Having initiative is more beneficial in that your side has control over the battle than it is a way to remove adversaries before they can attack you. This is a bit different than many other RPGs and can take some time getting used to. In that regards I don't think your proposed system would unbalance much in regards to RAW. Except the slight benefit to have the chance to cause a Wound before the opponent. But this goes both ways. So if anything it is a slight benefit to Forward stance.

[Dunkelbrink]

I can not see that anyone has mentioned it yet but by RAW adversaries don't fall before the end of the round if they are reduced to 0 Endurance. See page 231. They only fall immediately if Wounded. So usually everyone gets it's turn in a round no matter where they are in the order. Having initiative is more beneficial in that your side has control over the battle than it is a way to remove adversaries before they can attack you. This is a bit different than many other RPGs and can take some time getting used to. In that regards I don't think your proposed system would unbalance much in regards to RAW. Except the slight benefit to have the chance to cause a Wound before the opponent. But this goes both ways. So if anything it is a slight benefit to Forward stance.

This is not the case, SirGalrim,and it has been discussed before in the forums with Francesco himself , making it clear that an opponent drops right away when reduced to 0 Endurance.

Adversaries reduced to zero Endurance drop down immediately (unless Great Size, etc.). The reference to rounds at page 231 is confusing. The difference between an adversary going down at 0 End and upon receiving a Wound is that the first instance knocks it out, the second kills it outright. End 0 adversaries die eventually anyway (they are considered to be dying, not simply unconscious).

Sorry for the late reply!

Francesco

The wording in the RAW isn't very clear, but the intention is that an adversary is defeated right away by causing a Wound or reducing it to 0 Endurance. Lets not confuse Havinor!

[Rich H]

I can not see that anyone has mentioned it yet but by RAW adversaries don't fall before the end of the round if they are reduced to 0 Endurance.

That's not correct. Francesco corrected it in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=3907&start=40

Adversaries reduced to zero Endurance drop down immediately (unless Great Size, etc.). The reference to rounds at page 231 is confusing. The difference between an adversary going down at 0 End and upon receiving a Wound is that the first instance knocks it out, the second kills it outright. End 0 adversaries die eventually anyway (they are considered to be dying, not simply unconscious).

Sorry for the late reply!

Francesco

[SirGalrim]

Oh sorry. I've seen that there has been some discussions on it but from what I could figure out the conclusion was that it is as written. It's pretty clear in the book actually. Hadn't seen that reply from the designer. Well well, carry on then. Nothing to see here.

[Rich H]

How'd reading the Encounter rules go for you, Havinor?

[Deadmanwalking]

So in the scenario you proposed. Hill Troll attacking 2 heroes. Hill Troll and hero 1 in forward stance, Hero 2 in Defensive stance.

I don't know if this is just misphrased or an actual rules misunderstanding, but just to be absolutely clear:

Adversaries don't have Stances. Only PCs do. The PC's stance determines the difficulty of both them hitting and of enemies hitting them in melee combat.

[Majestic]

So in the scenario you proposed. Hill Troll attacking 2 heroes. Hill Troll and hero 1 in forward stance, Hero 2 in Defensive stance.

I don't know if this is just misphrased or an actual rules misunderstanding, but just to be absolutely clear:

Adversaries don't have Stances. Only PCs do. The PC's stance determines the difficulty of both them hitting and of enemies hitting them in melee combat.

Not only that, but all of the heroes go first (in the above example), and then the adversaries go. So it would be Hero 1, then Hero 2, and then the Hill Troll (if they were the only three in the fight).

[Havinor]

Thanks Deadmanwalking. I misread the rules. That makes much more sense now

Rich H, I liked the Encounter rules, especially the points that some cultures are not friends with some others, so the TN will vary depending on the characters' and NPC's cultures. Also a fan of the Advancement and Experience Points system, during the Fellowship/Year End phases. That was something I was looking forward to reading because it's something I haven't come across before.

Me and the boys are getting together this evening, so they can have a look at the system too. Heart of the Wild arrived on Wednesday, so I'm going to keep that from them until I've read it. I'm thinking I'll let them read the section that pertains to their characters once they've created them, unless someone has a high Travel Skill.

I have to say, I'm absolutely buzzing to play this game!!!

[Rich H]

Very jealous! Just starting out - all those great supplements to get hold of and run with. Sounds like you and your mates are well up for it!

My players are off from Rhosgobel to Isengard tonight. Looking forward to it.