This is yet another artcle.  This has to do with tactical puzzles and
their set up.  It is called "Tactical Puzzles and You".  Thank you.


Here is the article:


Tactical Puzzles & You

What is a tactical puzzle?  A tactical puzzle is a type of puzzle that
is a combat puzzle.  It forces the party to think about each action
before doing it.  For if a party missteps, the game will probably be
over.

Tactical puzzles are easily done at early levels.  Any level one party
could beat a Haakai or a Lich with the proper equipment and spells.  As
long as the equipment is provided, this will be easy.

A good tactical puzzle example for a low level party.  When you enter a
small room and reach the center, four Imps could appear in the corners
to challenge the party.  This would be good for low level parties.

Another would be a monster like a Vampire called in a one-time
encounter.  However, the party would be slowed or cursed just after he
appears.  This will make parties think.

When you reach higher levels tactical puzzles become more difficult.  A
maxed out party can almost handle any encounter.  However, what makes it
more difficult is by using Affect PC nodes (especially dumbfounding!!).
Another suggestion is by using special spells you should read about
them in my article on that.

Examples - Low Level:

Example 1:  One powerful monster, say a Haakai or a Lich which appears
to take on the party.  The one big monster should also probably be
accompanied by his/her/its henchmen.  Say a wizard leading a group of
brigands.  Be sure to give the necessary tools for the party to win!

Example 2:  Another would be a medium strength monster with Affect PC
nodes.  Slowing and cursing are effective.  Dumbfounding and paralysis
are dangerous and probably should not be touched at low levels.

Examples - High Level:

These are more difficult.  I will give a few that I used in my scenario
Spys Quest.  Many of these involve special spells. I do recommend
that you read that first.

Example 1:  In a level called the Twisting Temple, you meet a Lich.
This Lich is in a room with two Mechknights (powerful mechanical
humanoids; very fast and very ferocious) and the walls are lined with
Black Shades.  Also, there is a 2 move cycle of three special spells.
The spells are Dumbfound All (3 points of dumbfounding), Excommunicate
(heavily slows/curses), and Lightning Strike (30-60 points of
unblockable damage).  In addition, 2 points of invulnerability are
subtracted from the party every move!  This makes it very difficult to
stay protected.  The party will probably need alchemy or prefight
prepping to win.  Note:  I do have a combat block at the entrance.

Example 2:  There is a huge fight called the Haunted Rocks.  This
involves several Vahnatai.  Your goal is to reach the center and kill a
Vahnatai Hologram.  There are three lines of defense and several timers
involved.  At the very beginning (as soon as the party enters) a timer
starts when the party enters for 3 moves.  Every three moves your HP and
SP are drained.  There are three lines of defense in the rocks.

The first one starts a timer that casts special spells until the
Hologram is killed and the invulnerability drain begins.  Also, force
walls appear around the entire area.

The second one is a series of spells that weaken the party.

The third and final line of defense is a cant enter barrier.  Also,
four Ur-Basilisks appear to kill the party from behind.  A timer is
called for 15 moves.  When it expires, the barrier falls and you will be
able to reach the Hologram.

Example 3:  One of the final levels has a dungeon fight.  To open a
portcullis, you need to step on a rune.  The rune is combat blocked.
When the party steps on it, the portcullis opens but the party is
heavily cursed and slowed.  Also, there is full dumbfounding.  What is
even worse are the monsters that appear around you.  You will be
surrounded with a circle of eight Vahnatai Masters, Four Mutated
Vahnatai (Quick Vahnatai that spits acid and is immune to everything),
and three Vahnatai Lords.

This is extremely difficult because of the prebattle nodes.
These are examples of tactical puzzles that you can use.  Tactical
puzzles are necessary.  Hack up the monsters is very boring.  You need
to do things which inhibit the party and monster patterns that would be
difficult to the party.  Here are some formations.

W = Warrior Monster
A = Archer Monster
M = Mage Monster
P = Priest Monster

X = Wall/Barrier

One space hallway example:

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
            W  W  A  M  P
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

This is a one space hallway.  The two warriors at the front will fight
off the party at first while the archer and mage in back blast the
party.  Once the two warriors are killed, the archer will be next.
Archers (especially Empire Archers) are relatively good at combat.  The
mages are not so they should be near the back.  The priest should always
be in the back because he can heal and bless/curse you.  Mages are not
good fighters but should be in front of the Priest because he is into
more offensive spells and warriors are stronger and would not be hurt as
much by them.  Archers only use missiles if there is not a PC adjacent,
it would not be wise to put them in front.  Warriors will impede
progress as the archer peppers the party.  The warriors should have the
most HP and be the strongest.  They take ample time to kill making more
time for the others.  Two of them holds off the attack even more.

Weaknesses:  A smart party can lure the monsters into an open area.  Put
a monster block in.  Antimagic Cloud will hurt this strategy.
Unfortunately, there is little that can be done about that.

USE ACID:  Acid is the most deadly thing in Exile.  It is rare but it is
not limited.  It is possible to have over 1,000 points of acid damage a
move.  Acid damage is calculated every move and slowly decreases.  This
is very annoying and devastating to parties.  You may wish to replace
the archer with an acid spitter.  Note:  If the spitter is Immune to
Magic, then it cannot be slowed or cursed.  When hasted, this is
devastating!  Also, do not overuse this stuff!

Vanguard Example

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
                     W     A  W
                  W                   M    P
               W           A  W
                  W                   M    P
                     W     A  W
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

This is a vanguard formation.  5 warriors protect the archers and
casters.  The advantage are the five formation warriors.  They can break
up and engage the party while the archers and casters do their thing.
The warriors in back are to help defend the casters.  The disadvantage
is that you can slip through this formation via diagonally.  The
warriors in back will help with this as it slows the advance of a PC
going for the casters.

Linear Ambush

O = Party

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
      M     A      W                W       A     M
   P                  W      O       W                   P
      M     A       W               W       A     M
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
This is done as a special encounter when the party reaches the center.
You may wish to put in a combat block on that space.  When the party
steps there call the encounter to appear.  Note:  You can also have some
Affect PCs called to weaken the party.

Circular Ambush

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
                    A            W            A
         M                  W    W                  M
      P           A     W    O    W     A          P
         M                  W    W                  M
                    A            W            A
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Very similar to before.  A circular ambush is for wider hallways or a
room.  This is similar to the Dungeon Fight described above.  Be sure to
use combat blocks.  Slowing and cursing before this makes this bad.

Of course there are many other formations possible.  These are just a
few examples.  Be careful not to make tactical puzzles too difficult or
too easy.  Generally, you want to have these as part of a town
encounter.  Also, tactical puzzles need to be done well.  If they are
sloppy, they will not be a challenge.  However, a well done tactical
puzzle will make a players game playing experience much greater!  Good
luck!

- Brian Stareye Kiedrowski
