GM vs Overpowered Heroes

[mitchiemasha]

I'd deliberately let a group build up, buying lots of things then on 1 quest make sure the last person didn't make it out. That would teach 'em. Then be like, shame on you! for letting all those Heroes die.

Possibly having the souls of fallen Heroes return at the exit room of a long demanding Quest. Placing How many of the Heroes they've let die in the room and saying, "Shamed by actions you are faced by your fallen Heroes, fight or run for your life leaving all your Weapons and Treasures behind... AS THEY ARE CURSED!!!" "Strip your self of all your belongings and bow to the souls before you, praying to The Warrior God for forgiveness to such violation of his code"

Quest or game mechanic idea, Fallen Heroes.

[Anderas]

Early counter is always better than punishment. Punishment leads to less people playing the game with you.
An early counter like fate cards prevents that this Situation builds up.
In the end, there is also the question why it is possible to play the rules against the game master. In the end, it is up to the game master to interpret and to bend the rules as necessairy.

[Goblin-King]

In the end, it is up to the game master to interpret and to bend the rules as necessairy.

Not necessarily... in my opinion the Evil Wizard player is not "God" of the game. Contrary to a D&D GM who can make stuff up on a whim, the EWP is bound by the scenario that is the quest, questnotes and any special rules agreed upon BEFORE the start of the game. He is a player who is trying to win the game. What makes a GOOD EWP is one that is able to set the boundaries at a fun and challenging level before the start of the quest.

in my opinion...

[Anderas]

Surely! I have the same opinion as long as the game's going on well.

If you know that you have a group of Heros that plays the game in a good way, no need to do anything. Just play the scenario, try to build up some good mood, try to win, that's it. If the scenario's easy, it is easy, if it's hard, it is hard.

If a group of Heros suddenly starts to bend their behavior around the rules, there is a need. You can react after the game by altering the rules between two games; which is the fair way; but on the cost of a boring evening.
Or you can react immediately by putting a good-fitting Monster here and there or by other possible means. In that very moment you become Game Master like in D&D. That's not "fair", but if you're doing well, the evening does not get boring. Afterwards, there's still something to talk about regarding changing the rules.

There are many possible counters, obvious ones and less obvious.

[knightkrawler]

If a group of Heros suddenly starts to bend their behavior around the rules, there is a need.

That's precisely what my ruleset project is all about: linguistically laying out the "mays" and "cannots" of the game, based on tagging and cross-referencing.
It's a shame I always need weeks of vacation to work on it, because I fall out of loop in the use of language after breaks.

[artisturn]

After the last two game sessions ,the party is now fully equipped ,The Elf and Dwarf now have Chain Mail,Helmet,Shield and the Barbarian has Borin's Armor ,Helmet and a Battle Axe.

And We are at the halfway point in the quest book, So I have found a good balance with increasing and substituting monsters. And I am also not giving out as many heal scrolls since the party is tougher now.

But what I am looking forward to now is using more spell casters against the party,their first encounter with the spell casting orc was a challenge for them.

Plus I plan on repainting and using the Wizard that died, as a recurring nemesis. Especially due to the fact the new wizard in the party is his younger brother.


Now one thing I did encounter in our last two games is the party stopped searching at a certain point when they realized the danger outweighed the gains from searching for treasure. I need to figure out a way to keep the party searching for treasure.

[knightkrawler]

I need to figure out a way to keep the party searching for treasure.

Use the key words "golden silver deck furniture" in the search bar of this here forum and you should find my treasure deck modifications. Maybe you like it.

[Anderas]

I think it is a good sign! It's cool, they respect your game, your level. It means it is interesting for them.

Now just take care that the monsters they encounter still are a threat, no matter the defence of the heros, and it will stay interesting.

Send them an Ogre.

[cynthialee]

I am a strong advocate of altering the rules and making the EWP the GM and work from there.

I find it frustrating after awhile to go the EWP route. After a number of games the players rarely get smoked and the games' storyline progression begs for a GM style of play.
Once I switched to a GM approach, things started to function allot better for the long term enjoyment and it retains my interest.

[Goblin-King]

But you can do both with a well written quest.
You can add all the rpg-elements, stories and strange encounters you want.
Make an amazing, wonderful, complex quest - but stick to the setup you create from the start.

I guess I just don't like the "I'll make something up here to balance things out because the heroes need to see where this story goes"-method.

I DO realize it can be done in a tasteful way, mind you...