DwD Studios

I asked a similar question some time ago, the response I got can be found below;

http://dwdstudios.com/node/910

Did the question get answered on that thread?

Not exactly. But I'm finding I can easily throw 1 to 1 1/2 times the same rank creatures as the number of players.

Example. I have 5 Rank 1 characters I an easily throw 5-8 rank one creatures at them at once. I'm also finding I can throw 2-3 rank 2 creatures at them.

It isn't a science but you'll get a feel for your player's skills and the strenth of their characters. I don't think a really hard rule would serve you or your players well.

You can try what I've found but your milleage may varry. I have no idea how my numbers above will work once the players reach rank 3. I haven't seen that in action yet.

The best thing you can do is be cautious (unless your objectives is a TPK :)) and once you get a feel for what they can take, hit 'em! :) Seriously. If you are very unsure how many creatures of a given rank or type they can take, make the first encounter or two weaker and then add numbers to later encounters if you think the game session needs it.

The rulebook says simply to use the existing monster list as a guide to creating creatures of similar ranks. Thus, there is no hard and fast rule. You just have to wing it, using the monster list as examples and personal experience. I'd say it mostly comes down to attack percentage, damage and BP, along with any special attacks, such as the OS ability to attack multiple creatures for greater total damage.

I just add/subtract 10% to every stat per level difference and then adjust the result until I feel it fits.

I just cheat until my players are sufficiently beat up to appreciate the win, then have the next attack finish them off in a glorious spray of blood and guts.

:)

I remember Mark and I got schooled by a pack of 4 dogs. Yes dogs. We should have cleaned their clocks; couple bad attacks, failed resistance checks, broken weapon. lol

I trust this question has been answered.

Think I've got it, ranks are like the chief's rock candy in Josie Wales.

They ain't fur using, just fur lookin' at.

:) "mhuah ha ha ha"

We just finished our second BBF session. In 2 hours we got through 2 combats and some exploring the dungeon, disarmed/set off some traps.

First thing said at the end of the session by one of the players, "That was fun!"

Good to hear.

That's kind of the sense I got out of them. Originally, I was thinking it would be as developed as CL in 3.5/4. But a careful analysis revealed that the system for determining ranks is fairly arbitrary (Use of levels and ability scores) in that it has little to do with actual capabilities, and yet non-standardized in that it can't be applied across the board (creatures don't have levels). Something I hope will be resolved in a later edition. Using levels to calculate ranks, while simple, just isn't effective. Not only this, but the highest skill level and highest ability score aren't always interactive. For instance, if you have a warrior whose highest ability score is WIL, then you have likely over-estimated his actual capabilities.

I think Ranks should be calculated by means of the character's/creature's highest offensive and defensive capabilities, because you're not trying to determine how effective the character is against traps and tiddly winks, but against monsters and monsters against the characters. Otherwise, rank has no meaning.

And I think traps should be gauged by the character's highest total success rate. If you have a Thief whose highest ability is STR because he's also a warrior, you may get a completely mismatched trap to that character's capabilities because you based it on their rank as currently calculated.

So, for battle rank:
Offense vs. Defense

For traps:
Total skill vs. Trap

Unifying mechanics are only good if they work.