Saturday, February 11, 2017

Swords & Wizardry House Rules: Monster Morale

Monsters should not always fight to the death. The DM could simply decide when monsters turn tail and run, but I prefer to use a rule a house rule that provides somewhat random results. This one is derived from the AD&D DMG.

Monster Morale

  • intelligent monsters check morale if a leader is slain or deserts; when 25, 50, and 75 percent of their band is defeated or slain; or under other exceptional circumstances; consult the following table:
  • Roll 2d6 Result
    2-3 surrender
    4 flee in panic
    5 disengage and retreat
    6 fighting retreat
    7-12 continue fighting

  • a -1 penalty should be imposed for each significant monster leader slain, for each quarter of the monster band slain, or any other exceptional circumstance
  • a +1 bonus should be applied if the monsters outnumber their foes, have inflicted significant casualties, and/or have some significant tactical advantage
  • some monsters have elite morale and either need not check morale or do so with significant bonuses; berserkers, fanatics, and zealots, for example, need not make morale checks
  • unintelligent monsters, which include undead like skeletons and zombies, and constructs, do not check morale; animals and insects do check morale

No comments:

Post a Comment