My views on huge battles or wars is that our heroes (the PC's) should be involved in much more specific things. The battle is presented as an obstacle, one to hinder their movement but not something for them to try and win alone.
So, for example, if they are involved in a siege of the enemy castle, they could be tasked with getting in, disabling the enemy catapults and then getting out. The enemy would be massed behind the gates to repel an attack, so the catapults are lightly defended. Get in, destroy the catapults, then get out. If you fail, or get distracted by enemies to kill, then your side falls back a bit on the war. Fail too many of these and your army loses.
If you're defending, it's specifics - look at the battle for helms deep in LOTR - in between "tasks" the heroes indiscriminately kill orcs, but they get sent to deal with the ram, hold them back to let the doors be repaired, take down ladders, and ultimately try (and fail) to prevent the main breach of the walls. These are the tasks a PC should have in war - turning the tide of battle, not killing all the pawns.
Alternatively, literally put the battle in the way. You need to get into this tower and close a book before its magic destroys the world. Only problem is, it's in that city, and that city is under siege. You have to get through the surrounding army (however you like), get into the city (however you like) and then into the tower, and then back out again. Perhaps the enemy outside see how you get in, and whilst you're in the tower, the siege breaks into the city. Now there's fire and fighting everywhere, and neither are on your side. Chaos ensues.
Should we occasionally add reinforcments for either side?
I also feel like I should make a set of rules for this.
I feel like this wouldn’t be a bad idea, if you can come up with a good reason why they would get reinforcements. Perhaps one side knows that a large group of soldiers are coming to aid the other side. This could add a sense of urgency to finish the battle before reinforcements arrive, and it might give the PCs the opportunity to delay the reinforcements
My views on huge battles or wars is that our heroes (the PC's) should be involved in much more specific things. The battle is presented as an obstacle, one to hinder their movement but not something for them to try and win alone.
So, for example, if they are involved in a siege of the enemy castle, they could be tasked with getting in, disabling the enemy catapults and then getting out. The enemy would be massed behind the gates to repel an attack, so the catapults are lightly defended. Get in, destroy the catapults, then get out. If you fail, or get distracted by enemies to kill, then your side falls back a bit on the war. Fail too many of these and your army loses.
If you're defending, it's specifics - look at the battle for helms deep in LOTR - in between "tasks" the heroes indiscriminately kill orcs, but they get sent to deal with the ram, hold them back to let the doors be repaired, take down ladders, and ultimately try (and fail) to prevent the main breach of the walls. These are the tasks a PC should have in war - turning the tide of battle, not killing all the pawns.
Alternatively, literally put the battle in the way. You need to get into this tower and close a book before its magic destroys the world. Only problem is, it's in that city, and that city is under siege. You have to get through the surrounding army (however you like), get into the city (however you like) and then into the tower, and then back out again. Perhaps the enemy outside see how you get in, and whilst you're in the tower, the siege breaks into the city. Now there's fire and fighting everywhere, and neither are on your side. Chaos ensues.
Make your Artificer work with any other class with 174 Multiclassing Feats for your Artificer Multiclass Character!
DM's Guild Releases on This Thread Or check them all out on DMs Guild!
DrivethruRPG Releases on This Thread - latest release: My Character is a Werewolf: balanced rules for Lycanthropy!
I have started discussing/reviewing 3rd party D&D content on Substack - stay tuned for semi-regular posts!
I feel like this wouldn’t be a bad idea, if you can come up with a good reason why they would get reinforcements. Perhaps one side knows that a large group of soldiers are coming to aid the other side. This could add a sense of urgency to finish the battle before reinforcements arrive, and it might give the PCs the opportunity to delay the reinforcements
for a thread from 2018, this is surprisingly active... it keeps on getting thread necromancy-ed.
I am an average mathematics enjoyer.
>Extended Signature<
I guess it occasionally gets reinforcements XD
Make your Artificer work with any other class with 174 Multiclassing Feats for your Artificer Multiclass Character!
DM's Guild Releases on This Thread Or check them all out on DMs Guild!
DrivethruRPG Releases on This Thread - latest release: My Character is a Werewolf: balanced rules for Lycanthropy!
I have started discussing/reviewing 3rd party D&D content on Substack - stay tuned for semi-regular posts!