Re: mechanics of surprise

On Fri, 2 Mar 2007, Erol K. Bayburt wrote:
> I think that part of the problem is that many players have
> incompatable desires wrt Pace of Decision. They want:

> 1. To be able to slay monsters with a single mighty blow, or at least
> a small number of attacks, [high Pace of Decision]

> 2. To be able to withstand many attacks, or attack attempts by
> monsters against them, [low Pace of Decision]

> and

> 3. To have the same rules apply to both their PCs and to the
> NPCs/monsters.

> Something has to give.

This also goes gback to the discussions about heroism and the relative 
strength of the PCs and their apponents.  You can achieve all three of 
those wants *if* the PCs and NPCs are not equal, such that the PCs are 
good enough to disk out one-blow kills or strong enough to endure multiple

hits against NPCs that are not good enough to dish out one-blow kills or 
srong enough to endure multiple hits.  So to your list of "incompatable 
desires" wrt Pace of Decision, I'd add:

4. To have the NPCs/monsters to be roughly as powerful as the PCs.

John Morrow