All Entries in the "Tactics" Category
Computer Simulations and Modern Warfare
Foreign Policy magazine has a great article about the use of computer simulations and how they are used by the American military. “America’s Army” does get a mention, but there are several other programs either underway or planned that leverage games to train soldiers. It also mentions some of the pitfalls of virtual training. Interesting [...]
Maze Solving Strategies for Adventurers
Yesterday I posted resources for the DM to create mazes. Mazes of such complexity as to vex and confuse players everywhere. I only thought it wise to follow-up with some maze-running strategies to aid players. Just to make things simple, my tactics will not rely on magic or exotic equipment. Most DMs, being the evil [...]
Maze and Labyrinth Resources for Dungeon Masters
Most gamers have run into a labyrinth at least once in their gaming life. Usually in pursuit (or in flight from) a minotaur. I am not averse to minotaurs, but I think that the labyrinth itself if more interesting than the monsters that inhabit its confusing walls. Sadly, creating a complex maze is quite tedious [...]
Gads, Quicklime and Forecastles
I have completed the Fighting Techniques of the Medieval World AD 500 – AD 1500 … finally. I will post the full review on Monday, but the final chapter on naval warfare really rocked my boat. ;-) Primarily, my interest peaked on some tactics that struck me as gameworthy. Rather than the standard “get close [...]
Cavalry and Role-Playing Games
My post yesterday about archers and cavalry got me thinking about a major deficiency in most game systems. People who focus on mounted (horses or vehicles) combat get short shrift in most games. I started playing games many years ago with “Dungeons and Dragons.” I then moved on to other games, such as “Gamma World,” [...]
Tactical Lesson #4 Time Hop
I try to keep my tactical tutorials general. This allows people in non-d20 campaigns to take advantage of them. Today, I make an exception for “Time Hop.” This is a psionic power. As a quick refresher, here is the text of “Time Hop” from the D20 SRD. The subject of the power hops forward in [...]
Tactics: The Bounding Overwatch
I read far too much for my own good. Occasionally I read modern military fiction, such as Tom Clancy. I ran across a term that sparked my interest and I did some quick internet research. Overwatch. Essentially, overwatch is the process of using one unit of troops to “cover” the movement of another unit. Usually [...]
Tactical School Lesson #2–How to Use Disintegrate
Disintegrate, oh how I love thee. I am so fond of it, let me compose a haiku in its honor “Ode to Disintegrate” by Trask my enemies die when green death strikes them more foes I do desire Disintegrate, simply put, is the classic spell. Nothing screams “I AM A BADASS CASTER” like turning your [...]
Trask's Tactical School–Lesson #1 Initiating Combat
This is the first in what I hope are a long line of posts about tactics in a role-playing game. Although I am a “D&D” player at heart, I will try to keep the discussion generic enough to apply to any game. I also harbor a deep and abiding respect for Sun Tzu, so expect [...]