Constructing Conflicts
Texto
The open-ended nature of character advancement in Legend of the Five Rings makes it difficult to generalize exactly how much of a challenge a given NPC will be as an opponent. A highly trained courtier might be no better at fighting than they were at the time of character creation, because they have focused on intrigue instead of martial arts. Meanwhile, with the same amount of XP, a character from the same school could have invested their experience in becoming knowledgeable, well-spoken, and skilled at arms, and have reached modest proficiency in all spheres without excelling in any.
However, when assessed together, a group’s power is somewhat more predictable based on the PCs’ overall school rank. To give GMs a rough idea of an NPC’s efficacy, each sample NPC profile has a conflict rank for both combat and intrigue, to provide a rough guideline for deciding how many foes to hurl at the PCs.
Determining Group Rank
To estimate the Group Rank (the rough power of the PCs), take the sum of the group’s school ranks.
Determining Encounter Rank
To estimate the Encounter Rank (how challenging the NPCs in a conflict scene will be) for a scene, take the sum of the combat (for battles) or intrigue (for social scenes) conflict ranks of all NPCs opposing the PCs.
Gauging an Encounter
Compare the group rank to the encounter rank and consult the following:
If the group rank is roughly equal to the encounter rank, the PCs are generally matched with the force of NPCs. They most likely have
Gruff
a solid chance of prevailing, though they could still lose if they grow overconfident (or fortune forsakes them).
If the group rank is 1.5 to 2 times the encounter rank, the PCs have a significant edge over the NPCs, and are very likely to win without significant losses.
Shrewd
If the group rank is 0.5 times the encounter rank or lower, the PCs are significantly outmatched—cunning or luck will be needed to take the day, and this might even be a battle best avoided!
Texto do livro
Core Rulebook · Chapter 8: Non-Player Characters › NPC Profile Breakdown › Constructing Conflicts · p. 309 p. 310
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The open-ended nature of character advancement in Legend of the Five Rings makes it difficult to generalize exactly how much of a challenge a given NPC will be as an opponent. A highly trained courtier might be no better at fighting than they were at the time of character creation, because they have focused on intrigue instead of martial arts. Meanwhile, with the same amount of XP, a character from the same school could have invested their experience in becoming knowledgeable, well-spoken, and skilled at arms, and have reached modest proficiency in all spheres without excelling in any.
However, when assessed together, a group’s power is somewhat more predictable based on the PCs’ overall school rank. To give GMs a rough idea of an NPC’s efficacy, each sample NPC profile has a conflict rank for both combat and intrigue, to provide a rough guideline for deciding how many foes to hurl at the PCs.
Determining Group Rank
To estimate the Group Rank (the rough power of the PCs), take the sum of the group’s school ranks.
Determining Encounter Rank
To estimate the Encounter Rank (how challenging the NPCs in a conflict scene will be) for a scene, take the sum of the combat (for battles) or intrigue (for social scenes) conflict ranks of all NPCs opposing the PCs.
Gauging an Encounter
Compare the group rank to the encounter rank and consult the following:
If the group rank is roughly equal to the encounter rank, the PCs are generally matched with the force of NPCs. They most likely have
Gruff
a solid chance of prevailing, though they could still lose if they grow overconfident (or fortune forsakes them).
If the group rank is 1.5 to 2 times the encounter rank, the PCs have a significant edge over the NPCs, and are very likely to win without significant losses.
Shrewd
If the group rank is 0.5 times the encounter rank or lower, the PCs are significantly outmatched—cunning or luck will be needed to take the day, and this might even be a battle best avoided!