DwD Studios
Creature Effects
Mon, 11/12/2012 - 8:30am | 
ShadowStalker
Concept for Creature Effect = Swarm
I had this idea for managing creature swarms (mine was used as a murder of crows that was inhabited by a spirit):
Stat creature (rats, roaches, etc.) normally in terms of stats and abilities. Swarms are able to split, which allows them an additional attack. Each split does the following:
1. Reduce BP of each swarm by 1/2 from the original total
2. Reduce Damage by -1D for each split
3. Each swarm segment may independently attack a target
Swarm segments can split as many times as GM has BPs to distribute, noting that they become increasingly weak. Follow rounding conventions.
Swarm segments may also recombine into the main swarm, but the BP is only the sum of the remaining BPs after any damage, and damage is reduced by -1D or -2D if damage loss is >50% of BP from swarm's starting value.
The above keeps the math very simple.
| 
Tags: 
BareBones Fantasy RPG is not associated with Skaldcrow Games' Bare Bones Multiverse, despite similar names. Check out Glenn's products by clicking here.
I like this. I will find an excuse to use it in my next session. Thank You ShadowStalker!
Here's my take on a swarm effect.
Let me know what you think, I've also added a new condition for the game.
Fang bat
Fang Bat
Large bats with a wingspan of 2 feet and a venomous bite
I like that. Would that effect nerf area effect spells for mages, or would you provide a bonus +1D for clever mage thinking?
Are you saying if a caster shot a fireball at the swarm how many would be effected? That's a good question. The idea of "A successful attack against the swarm kills 1D/2 bats." allows the party to kill a few in case specimens, proof, etc. is required.
How about adding this?
Area of effect spells like offensive strike or entangle kill 1D bats.
Ah, yeah, that would work.
Or you could give the swarm 'health' and convert the number of bats slain by damage. (I'd make AoE effects do full damage instead of half, since it's kinda the point of them for this). That would also make it a little less random. I could see unlucky players taking ten rounds hacking away at bats. hehehe.
If you kill 1D/2 bats, how many do you have to kill to destroy the swarm?
You'd ultimately be able to destroy them all. If you have a swarm of 10 bats and deal damage to them then roll 1d/2 that's an average of 5.5 so eventually you'd kill them all as a swarm. Are you meaning how many do you have to kill until they're considered individual monsters?
Hrm... I was thinking this type of swarm would only attack if spooked. You really can't kill them all. Think of entering a bat cave and throwing a rock at the ceiling.
If you want to know how many bats...
Number: D00
Number: d1000
:-)