|
2 years ago ::
Nov 29, 2011 - 12:53PM
#1
|
Date Joined:
Oct 11, 2011
|
As the title says, when you have an encounter where part of the group is comprised of minions, do you point out which tokens have minion status, or do you say something along the lines of "Here are a bunch of goblins" without pointing out which is which?
|
|
|
|
2 years ago ::
Nov 29, 2011 - 12:54PM
#2
|
|
|
I always clearly identify the minions.
Another day, another three or four entries to my Ignore List.
|
|
|
|
2 years ago ::
Nov 29, 2011 - 12:57PM
#3
|
Date Joined:
Jan 29, 2010
|
I don't tell my players right off the bat which enemies are minions and which are not. If a player wants to make a check that would allow them to tell which enemies were minions and succeeded on the check, I would tell them which enemies "look a bit weaker than the others" or something to that effect.
I usually allow that check as a free action, though.
"Censorship is telling a man he can’t have a steak just because a baby can’t chew it.”
~Mark Twain
|
|
|
|
2 years ago ::
Nov 29, 2011 - 12:59PM
#4
|
Date Joined:
Sep 19, 2007
|
For my games, a successful, moderate DC, monster knowledge check will reveal that a monster is a minion (in addition to the other information such a check will get).
|
|
|
|
2 years ago ::
Nov 29, 2011 - 1:03PM
#5
|
Date Joined:
Sep 24, 2009
|
I always identify the creatures on the board at the beginning of combat by letting my players make all the necessary checks (or when new monsters appear). For one it saves time, and mostly I don't want to deal with disgruntled players who "wasted" a daily killing off a minion.
I do try to get creative by describing minions as weaker or more frail looking monsters. If humanoids perhaps describe them as common thugs or conscripts, etc. I almost always give solos or elites names.
Host of the HTL Podcast Series: http://www.holdtheline.com/media/category/htl-podcast.6/ 
|
|
|
|
2 years ago ::
Nov 29, 2011 - 2:19PM
#6
|
Date Joined:
Nov 28, 2011
|
theres nothing stating they automaticly know what guy is a minion and what isnt ... Personaly its not that hard just hit it with a at will or something or heck use a Burst/Blast effect if they died they where minions, DONT use the super daily of w/e (Example level 1 character fighter useing Brute Strike) on a guy thats BRAND new to the fight he could be a standard/minion/elite/solo or such if you hit him once and he seems to hit harder then the rest assume elite or solo or such if he looks alot like the others (Problem is its kinda easy to tell solos somewhat, OMFG ITS A DRAGON no its gotta be a minion  ) to just automaticly assume its a elite or something without first testing the waters is kinda ... lames what if a solo could make mirror imagis of himself that you couldnt tell where Fake or not without smacking and doing at least 1 point of damage to? are you going to be blind/foolish and be like I DEMAND TO KNOW WHAT THE MIRROR IMAGIS ARE AND WHOS THE BOSS! SO I CAN USE MY DAILY ON HIM. I can see DMS being polite/nice and telling players but over-all in my Campains i dont tell em but it should be pretty darn easy to tell (Example there are 20 kobolts running at you ALL with the same set up ... HM Minion madness) or another Example 20 kobolts running at you ... all with Spears save for thouse 2 with Shields! (HMS LET ME THINKZ! lets see if the 2 with shields are minions lets try a at will power on them NO? great use the power you wanted to use b4 hand now)
|
|
|
|
2 years ago ::
Nov 29, 2011 - 3:06PM
#7
|
Date Joined:
Oct 19, 2008
|
All my custom made monster tokens have a big M on them if a minion. Solos and Elites do not get the same treatment, if only because it's usually obvious.  Also, players are happier to "waste" a daily on a solo or elite than a minion. 
"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody." --Bill Cosby (1937- )Vanador: OK. You ripped a gateway to Hell, killed half the town, and raised the dead as feral zombies. We're going to kill you. But it can go two ways. We want you to run as fast as you possibly can toward the south of the town to draw the Zombies to you, and right before they catch you, I'll put an arrow through your head to end it instantly. If you don't agree to do this, we'll tie you this building and let the Zombies rip you apart slowly. Dimitry: God I love being Neutral. 4th edition is dead, long live 4th edition.Salla: opinionated, but commonly right. fun quotes
Show
You have to do the work first, and show you can do the work, before someone is going to pay you for it.
If you can't understand how someone yelling at another person would make them fight harder and longer, then you need to look at the forums a bit closer.
quote author=56832398 post=519321747]Considering DnD is a game wouldn't all styles be gamist?
|
|
|
|
2 years ago ::
Nov 29, 2011 - 3:27PM
#8
|
Date Joined:
Dec 11, 2006
|
Never, but a successful DC skill check will reveal them (as a group if common in type).
Until this is done, I require a PC to do a complete action (roll attack, roll damage, determine if they are doing any extra damage, or abilities) then after all numbers are final, I reveal minions (as a group if common in type).
Browncoats Unite...
|
|
|
|
2 years ago ::
Nov 29, 2011 - 3:29PM
#9
|
Date Joined:
Dec 25, 2009
|
An Easy DC monster knowledge check will tell a PC whether a monster is a minion, in my game.
However, I also give a very strong hint in the flavor text I use to describe them. For example, I might say "these four guys here look like ordinary cannon-fodder orcs, these two appear to be tougher but nothing you can't handle, and that one back there is nine feet tall and bulging with muscles". (Four minions, two standards, and an elite.)
The difference between madness and genius is determined only by degrees of success.
|
|
|
|
2 years ago ::
Nov 29, 2011 - 3:29PM
#10
|
Date Joined:
Oct 24, 2001
|
I always clearly identify the minions.
Once again, Salla has said my answer, both sooner and more clearly than I would have.
Here are the PHB essentia, in my opinion: - Three Basic Rules (p 11)
- Power Types and Usage (p 54)
- Skills (p178-179)
- Feats (p 192)
- Rest and Recovery (p 263)
- All of Chapter 9 [Combat] (p 264-295)
A player needs to read the sections for building his or her character -- race, class, powers, feats, equipment, etc. But those are PC-specific. The above list is for everyone, regardless of the race or class or build or concept they are playing.
|
|
|
