When I began my Bloodstone Campaign, one of the first things I had to choose (and offer up as a choice) was how to handle the mass combat present in the module. I could either go the Battlesystem route, and run it as a full-out tactical battle with each miniature being 10 people, every turn a minute, and dice-a-flying. Otherwise, I was contemplating running it as a series of small personal-level encounters, with the larger battle at hand raging in the background (as a backdrop, if you will). The outcome(s) of the party-based combat would affect how well or not well the overall battle at large went. In essence, I'd draw up a flowchart of encounters, much like you'd see in a feature film, where the camera stays mainly on the main characters, leading, battling with significant foes, with the chaos of combat all around them.
In the end, we chose the Battlesystem route (using, indeed, the 2nd ed Battlesystem rules for the most part). Quality of success: not so high. The latter system appears that it would have provided more satisfaction and quicker play.
What should come out recently but a new supplement for DnD entitled Heroes of Battle. Contained within? A way to flowchart for character action within the larger context of a mass battle/campagin. Haha!
Posted by kannik at July 14, 2005 02:17 PM in Gaming