Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Rice
I don’t think characters necessarily die more easily than in other RPGs, it’s just that it may be less apparent what constitutes a deadly challenge in TFT.
In D&D and other RPGs, I notice that parties seldom actually face an even odds battle, even if they think they do. The players normally have magical healing, feats and other aid not generally available to the opponents/monsters. It’s common sense that if you face an even odds fight, then you’ll lose 50% of the time.
In TFT it’s common for inexperienced GMs to pit players against well matched opponents and then be surprised that the players are killed, or so beat up that they can’t continue with the adventure. An experienced GM won’t throw those sort of challenges at the players very often, perhaps saving the do or die stuff for the climactic battle of the story.
If you’re planning a dungeon crawl or extended adventure with TFT, then you need to make the majority of the challenges much less testing. They will still constitute danger, as even an easy combat win may lead to wounds which will hamper the characters later on. You may also afford chances for healing which can allow play to continue.
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Quite so.
It's a different sort of game. Effective tactics can also multiply one side's effectiveness and odds of survival.
I've often seen well-played PCs survive for years of combat-heavy play in TFT, but they don't do manage that by just charging up equal foes and trading blows with them one on one. They do it mostly by arranging combat situations (and sometimes avoiding them) so that they get hurt as little as possible. Using terrain, flanking, ganging up, striking first, jabbing, using ranged attacks, pole weapons, magic, etc., and avoiding having those things done to them.