Hi all,
Here are some techniques I have been using with my group. Let me know what you think. Maybe you have other great tricks and hooks you are using. I would love to learn more.
I really like fights to be fast, exciting and action packed - not a static "I do melee". Here are some things I am doing to make this happen.
- My fights are short. Short and deadly. If it becomes stale it's too long. I try to keep it to max 5 rounds. After 5 (or whatever) rounds without any real excitement or progress my enemies flee, double in numbers (my players should flee) or outside forces stop the fight. Depends on the situation.
- Every couple of rounds something new is happening. Throw in some outside forces. Bridge catches fire. Nurgles flies are swarming in. Reinforcements are coming. Walls are coming down, Rain starts falling...
- Never let you player get away with "I do a stunt". No, they have to ROLEPLAY. Same for all the other actions - they have to play them out. "I raise my mighty hammer and thrash down...". You get the idea. I do the same for their enemies.
- You have to be ready when it's your turn. It is a fight after all. Know what you want to do and have your dice ready. Also, get you numbers ready - don't start to do math in a fight "I have strength X, aaaah (searching) and aaaah (again searching) my weapon has....". Newbies get a grace period.
- Play extra points for fatigue and stress. The room is filling with water - give them stress points every round. They are fighting uphill - give them some extra fatigue points.
- The best part are critical hits, sigmars comet and critical fumbles. This is where you can shine.
- Egg timer, 30 secs or you are out. hahahahahha
- Never look in to your books when it's your turn.. eyeball it.
Any other ideas? As you can guess, we are house ruling and eyeballing most the stuff. Not for everyone - I can see that. Anyhow, we are having tons of fun.
Best
Malte
