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1 of 1- MicahJA
- Vagabond
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- From: United Kingdom
- Registered: 5/17/2021
- Posts: 11
Multiple Opponents
Hello all,
Another combat question, we play mostly 'theater of the mind' with friends online.
Our first adventure ended with our party disturbing gloom-eater zombies at a Mausoleum so our next adventure will start with multiple zombies attacking the group.
I just wanted to ensure I handle this combat correctly as referee, I will ask them to indicate on the map, which I put up as a share screen, where their characters are and to pick targets.
How many opponents can attack a PC?
I assumed one per exposed side (of the square they occupy on the map)? Apologies if a very straight forward question and thanks again for your help!
Regards
Micah
- gizmomathboy
- Warlord
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- From: Spiral Mountain Array
- Registered: 5/19/2014
- Posts: 1,322
Re: Multiple Opponents
Up to 8. Three from the front, three from the rear, 1 from each flank.
On a hex map, only 6!
Such are the vagaries of geometry.
Hopefully the group is making some tactical decisions to minimize such things.
What? Me worry?
- MicahJA
- Vagabond
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- From: United Kingdom
- Registered: 5/17/2021
- Posts: 11
Re: Multiple Opponents
Thanks for the reply gizmomathboy thats a big help.
One character down after biting off more than they can chew...haha welcome to Hyperborea.
- •
Thread Starter- gizmomathboy
- Warlord
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- From: Spiral Mountain Array
- Registered: 5/19/2014
- Posts: 1,322
Re: Multiple Opponents
You're welcome.
I don't recall if the Hyperborea text goes into that or not.
It's really 1e DMG memories/knowledge. Part of the "assumed knowledge" back in the day that Gygax had note. Not everyone was a wargamer, Gary. ;-)
What? Me worry?
- BlackKnight
- Swordsman
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- From: Central MA
- Registered: 1/24/2018
- Posts: 335
Re: Multiple Opponents
gizmomathboy wrote:
Up to 8. Three from the front, three from the rear, 1 from each flank.
On a hex map, only 6!
You are forgetting weapon reach, you could have spears and polearms behind others that could still attack at a second rank.
--
BlackKnight, AKA Sausage
Older than Dirt, Crusty, and set in my ways. Been playing TTRPGs for over 45 years...
- Blackadder23
- The Thousand and First Eye
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- Registered: 3/04/2014
- Posts: 1,551
Re: Multiple Opponents
However many the referee says can attack in a given situation.
Michael Sipe 1979-2018
Rest in peace, brother.
- MicahJA
- Vagabond
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- From: United Kingdom
- Registered: 5/17/2021
- Posts: 11
Re: Multiple Opponents
Thank you all, that helps a lot!
My group really enjoys the hack and slash of combat so I want to get as comfortable as possible with the rules so that they have as many options available to them as possible without it just becoming a back and forth dice rolling exercise. (Although that is a factor.)
The phases and combat options definitely add a role playing element to the combat to which I would like to encourage in my group.
Thanks again for the answers everyone.
- •
Thread Starter- gizmomathboy
- Warlord
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- From: Spiral Mountain Array
- Registered: 5/19/2014
- Posts: 1,322
Re: Multiple Opponents
Yeah, although by the time 8 opponents can get to a PC I might just move to the unarmed combat stuff and just knocked them down and tie them up :-)
Never mind if the monsters are organized enough to have weapons with reach to really muck things up.
What? Me worry?
- MicahJA
- Vagabond
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- From: United Kingdom
- Registered: 5/17/2021
- Posts: 11
Re: Multiple Opponents
Thanks for the tip gizmomathboy.
Would you use that as a general 'house rule' with regards to a big enough group of opponents?
I have a situation in Xambaala where the group I referee have been involved in the assassination of a cleric from the Temple of Helios and I was going to have them arrested and tried and possibly thrown into the arena in Xambaala for some gladiatorial action!
I was wondering how to 'arrest' them as the party tank, a Kimmerian Beserker usually tries to fight everything!
- •
Thread Starter- Jimm.Iblis
- Adventurer
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- From: Cincinnati
- Registered: 12/08/2017
- Posts: 289
Re: Multiple Opponents
I would examine the rules on overbearing on page 248 of the big 2e book. Once you have a lot of guys dragging you down, it takes superhuman effort to resist.
Edit: And once restrained (prone) by a couple of guys, another guy can disarm your berserker (page 255).
Then it's off to the pokey!
Last edited by Jimm.Iblis (8/04/2021 8:57 am)
"Role-playing isn't storytelling. If the dungeon master is directing it, it's not a game." ~ Gary Gygax
- MicahJA
- Vagabond
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- From: United Kingdom
- Registered: 5/17/2021
- Posts: 11
Re: Multiple Opponents
Thank you Jimm.Iblis I will do.
Actually just managed to get a copy of the big 2e book so will have a look.
We had the Players Handbook as they were available here in the UK through Leisure Games. We are very new to Hyperborea (only 2 sessions into Anthropophagi Of Xambaala).
- •
Thread Starter- gizmomathboy
- Warlord
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- From: Spiral Mountain Array
- Registered: 5/19/2014
- Posts: 1,322
Re: Multiple Opponents
Overbearing is a great tactic when you have a bunch of mooks taking on a party, even high level.
As Jimm points out, a big enough group can do wonders against them.
I really do like the unarmed combat rules for Hyperborea. Mostly straightforward compared to what 1e tried (in various forms).
I generally try to ease various tactics into play so players will get a taste for how deadly they are.
Like have a small group of mooks try to overbear one party member just so they can see how horrible it can be. Then they will be on notice about it later.
Now, I don't do this for more experienced folks I know. They should already be sneaky bastards and on the look out for sneaky bastardry.
What? Me worry?
- Jimm.Iblis
- Adventurer
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- From: Cincinnati
- Registered: 12/08/2017
- Posts: 289
Re: Multiple Opponents
Most animals will try to overbear as well. Especially packs of canines.
"Role-playing isn't storytelling. If the dungeon master is directing it, it's not a game." ~ Gary Gygax
- Jimm.Iblis
- Adventurer
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- From: Cincinnati
- Registered: 12/08/2017
- Posts: 289
Re: Multiple Opponents
Thank you Jimm.Iblis I will do.
Actually just managed to get a copy of the big 2e book so will have a look.
We had the Players Handbook
Just to clarify, the overbearing and disarm rules are in the ASSH-PHB as well, even on the same page numbers!
"Role-playing isn't storytelling. If the dungeon master is directing it, it's not a game." ~ Gary Gygax
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