Hero Group

[irdeggman]

This vote is based on the following description. Osprey put it together with some input form others but it is mostly his (thanks ). I inserted a small amount of descriptive text to include some of the most recent discussions on this topic.

The idea is to provide a group bonus that will make it more attractive to play a PC as part of a unit than as an individual so as to keep the battle field combat system flowing more smoothly.

Hero Group Unit Bonuses
EL........Attack...Defense...Morale....Extra Attacks..Extra Hits
6...........+0..........+0...........+2..........+ 0.................+0
8...........+1..........+0...........+2..........+ 0.................+0
10.........+1..........+1...........+2..........+0 .................+1
12.........+1..........+1...........+2..........+1 .................+1
14.........+1..........+1...........+4..........+1 .................+1
16.........+2..........+1...........+4..........+1 .................+1
18.........+2..........+2...........+4..........+1 .................+2
20.........+2..........+2...........+4..........+2 .................+2
22.........+2..........+2...........+6..........+2 .................+2
24.........+3..........+2...........+6..........+2 .................+2
26.........+3..........+3...........+6..........+2 .................+3
28.........+3..........+3...........+6..........+3 .................+3
30.........+3..........+3...........+8..........+3 .................+3


Extra Hits: These extra hits are treated as temporary hits of damage which the hero group adds to a unit it joins and follow the rules for temporary hit points. These bonus hits are depleted in place of a unit's damage, but doing so reduces the hero group's bonus hits for the remainder of the battle. Temporary hits may be restored with appropriate (healing) battle magic.

Ex.: An EL 18 hero group joins a unit of regular archers. The unit takes one hit of damage from enemy missile fire, and the hero group loses a bonus hit (leaving the archer unit unharmed). Next turn, the hero group rides ahead to join a unit of knights at the front. They now add only 1 extra hit to the knights.

Extra Attacks: Similar to a strategic 'full attack,' a hero group can grant extra attacks to a unit that is stationary for the entire battle turn. A moving unit still gains the other benefits of the hero group's presence (improved attack, defense, morale, and hits), but only one attack may be made by the unit that turn.

In order for a Hero group to provide these bonuses to a unit the group must spend a battle round with the group to inspire and organize them. It is assumed that this time was spent prior to the battle for any unit the Hero group is assigned to at the start. During the course of a battle a Hero group can leave a unit (thereby immediately removing any bonuses provided to that unit) and join another unit but the new unit and hero group must spend an entire battle round getting integrated in order to gain the benefits specified. The extra hits provided to the new unit are limited to the remaining hits available, unless they have been healed by appropriate (healing) battle magic.

[Benjamin]

LOVE IT!

Great work, Osprey!

[Athos69]

I only have one misgiving -- Does anyone know just how difficult it will be to get an EL rating in the 14+ range, considering that the majority of characters in BR are of low (3-7) level range?

[irdeggman]

I only have one misgiving -- Does anyone know just how difficult it will be to get an EL rating in the 14+ range, considering that the majority of characters in BR are of low (3-7) level range?

That was part of the point of the break in EL rating. Basically characters will be ineffective when compared to a unit of 200 soldiers until they are around 5th level (you know the level with fireball, etc.) So it really does work, at least on the surface.

[The Jew]

I only have one misgiving -- Does anyone know just how difficult it will be to get an EL rating in the 14+ range, considering that the majority of characters in BR are of low (3-7) level range?

very difficult with current characters. That is intentional. Most characters in the current set up will provide a mild bonus to units they are with. A few exceptional character (Rhoube, gorgon, chamberlain, the spider, the elves and hand of azrai) will provide exceptional bonuses. The length of the table allows for a campaign which has seen significant level increases. Adventuring parties which have moved into epic levels or if the Gorgon is ever unleashed into a battle.

[Osprey]

The Jew put it quite well. The table was designed to accomodate the epic villains of Birthright, as well as PCs or NPCs that advance within the scope of a campaign.

IMO, no game should be forced to remain within the NPC levelsproscribed by the 2e BR setting. If the DM and players want that, fine...if not, there should be options for growth of the setting to suit individual campaigns. That's my thinking on the matter, anyways.

Osprey

[The Jew]

Congratulations Osprey, nice piece of work. I know Duane has not yet closed the poll, but this is the most lopsided vote I've seen yet.

cracks whip

Now get back to work, I expect to see a new magic system by friday LOL

[irdeggman]

Time to close this poll. Clear majority (over twice as many for as against).