I have a party of 5 that will be going into a goblin lair/camp as the beginning of a quest. I want the goblins to attack from range, move then hide using bonus action. simple enough.
I have a large map, with some 3d props that I created - tents, fire pit, etc. The map has trees drawn onto it, down trees, rocks and stumps as well which will act as cover. After combat begins, how does one show that the goblin has hidden? Do you leave the mini on the map in the new location? Do you remove the mini and then have the PC search using perception to discover the new location of the goblin? Do I roll a stealth check for the goblin to see if it moves and isn't noticed? And if so, do you leave the mini on the map or remove it so the players can't see it?
I will have 3 or 4 goblins in the camp to welcome the party when they arrive and try to dissuade them from attacking, but there are also about 6 or 7 others hiding. Party is level 3, and this is a beginning of a much more challenging quest.
If you have extra D20 dice, you could swap out the goblin minis with (or place alongside them) a d20 set to the side that matches the goblin's stealth was, so when the players do perception checks, they know which goblins they can see, and which ones they can't.
It depends on you and your players. If they are good about not metagaming, you can leave them in place and tell the players to pretend they don’t know the goblin is there. This also helps you be able to track where they are. Otherwise, say this one is hidden and pick it up off the table. Usually, even though my group is good about trying not to metagame, this is the way I go. It’s also easier to let them move while hidden without giving away where they’ve gone. But it can be harder for you to track.
I have a party of 5 that will be going into a goblin lair/camp as the beginning of a quest. I want the goblins to attack from range, move then hide using bonus action. simple enough.
I have a large map, with some 3d props that I created - tents, fire pit, etc. The map has trees drawn onto it, down trees, rocks and stumps as well which will act as cover. After combat begins, how does one show that the goblin has hidden? Do you leave the mini on the map in the new location? Do you remove the mini and then have the PC search using perception to discover the new location of the goblin? Do I roll a stealth check for the goblin to see if it moves and isn't noticed? And if so, do you leave the mini on the map or remove it so the players can't see it?
I will have 3 or 4 goblins in the camp to welcome the party when they arrive and try to dissuade them from attacking, but there are also about 6 or 7 others hiding. Party is level 3, and this is a beginning of a much more challenging quest.
Thanks for suggestions.
If you have extra D20 dice, you could swap out the goblin minis with (or place alongside them) a d20 set to the side that matches the goblin's stealth was, so when the players do perception checks, they know which goblins they can see, and which ones they can't.
It depends on you and your players. If they are good about not metagaming, you can leave them in place and tell the players to pretend they don’t know the goblin is there. This also helps you be able to track where they are.
Otherwise, say this one is hidden and pick it up off the table. Usually, even though my group is good about trying not to metagame, this is the way I go. It’s also easier to let them move while hidden without giving away where they’ve gone. But it can be harder for you to track.
Cut out squares with card stock, draw a question mark on them. Affix it to a base (or just use a paperclip) of some kind.
Any time a goblin ducks behind cover, remove the mini and replace it with the question piece in its last known location.
When it appears again, either by popping out of cover, or being spotted, return the mini.
I like this idea. Will do it. Thanks