Re: [HoE] Is HoE Too Lethal???

["Steve Crow" <crow_steve@hotmail.com>]

>I've been running HoE now for some time and have kept up-to-date with the 
>rules modifications, but continue to notice an occurrance that appears to 
>go un-addressed on this list.
>
>That problem can be summed up quite nicely in one word, DEATH. I run the 
>game to the letter of the rules, however it appears that regardless of my 
>players actions they end up dead at a rate not seen since the days of 
>Paranoia!
>
>After reading some of the emails to this list, I wonder if my group are the 
>only ones who die this frequently. (I've seen less deaths in Call of 
>Cthulhu!) Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against PC deaths (...and 
>my players are still enjoying the game), but there does come a time when 
>you'd like to be able to string at least 2 adventures together to form a 
>campaign without the party kicking the bucket!
>
>Are there others here who find the game this lethal?
>
>...Or are you all running games full characters strong enough to challenge 
>The Reckoners?
>
>
>Please reply and let me know what your groups are like!
>

Unfortunately, survival not only seems to require a certain amount of 
min/maxing, _and_ HoE is inclined towards min/maxing, _but_ such min/maxing 
is justifiable since HoE characters tend to be a bit 
more...survival-oriented, shall we say? ;) than perhaps in other mileaus.

Remember that the threats you create as NPCs are as dangerous as...well, you 
choose to make them.  Are you just throwing namby-pamby threats up against 
them and they're falling like flies?  If so, there may be some problems with 
how strong your players built their characters.

Typically, make sure your PCs have armor if they need it (and you don't 
throw lots of opponents at them with armor-piercing (unless that's what you 
want).  Be careful abot Doomsayers/bringers and Nukes.  Don't give your 
opponents a lot of grenades (particularly with the new massive damage 
rules).

Keep in mind that an open-ended damage system is _very_ hard to balance or 
preplan a combat.  Random die rolling means that the results are a lot more 
variable than a set damage system (i.e., AD&D).  You might want to 
under-value your opponents' damage capability a bit.  Then again, if as a 
Marshal you don't very well, dont' sweat it.

We've had only one fatality in our campaign so far, running over 20 or so 
sessions.

I guess I'd need to know more detail as far as any "problem" you might be 
having, but the above should help to narrow things down somewhat.

>Thanks
>Jon. "Thats MR. Death to you!"


---

Steve Crow

"Worm Can Opener Extraordinare"

Check out my website at:  http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Stargate/4991/

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