We are two short months out from Nerd Con 2010! Assuming Sleeper gets my stout brewing back on schedule and Brian and my flights aren't canceled by ash clouds all systems are go save one small detail. Who will be the leader?
We know Don will lead the drinking, Steve will lead the whining, Sleeper will lead the hopeless despair and Nat's ass will lead in ways-which-should-not-be-lead, but who will lead the combat? This year we have three returning/new players, but no current leader in the party.
Let's review for a moment. What is a leader? In this context the leader does not have to be the social head, the face of the party, the negotiater, the talker, the diplomat or the orginazer. He can be, but not a requirment. In D&D terms a leader is the guy who uses healing, forced movement and buffs to lead his party to victory. He is the cleric who blesses the fighter with extra strength. He is the warlord who gives the signal to the barbarian to side step so the rogue can have a flank attack. He is the bard who encourages his party to greater bravery. He is the man behind the man. He is the general, not the rambo. To enjoy playing a leader you must be engaged in the entire combat not just your turn, you must enjoy using abilities and skills in combat not just attacking for max damage, and you must enjoy seeing your allies and party succeed as much or more than having your own spot light moment.
We can certainly do without a leader, or a returning player could switch to a leader, but leaving those options aside, what if JP, Brian or Kurt want to be a leader? Given your preferences, experience and intuition, if they were to make a leader today, what leader would you recommend they make and why? Any answer works, but details like class, build, skills, weapons, armor, abilities and race may help.
Also, any input from our fallen leader Wade would be greatly appreciated! And if JP, Brian or Kurt have suggestions, questions or ideas already this would be a great place to flesh them out. You know, constructive feedback and all. Again, what leader would you make and why?
We know Don will lead the drinking, Steve will lead the whining, Sleeper will lead the hopeless despair and Nat's ass will lead in ways-which-should-not-be-lead, but who will lead the combat? This year we have three returning/new players, but no current leader in the party.
Let's review for a moment. What is a leader? In this context the leader does not have to be the social head, the face of the party, the negotiater, the talker, the diplomat or the orginazer. He can be, but not a requirment. In D&D terms a leader is the guy who uses healing, forced movement and buffs to lead his party to victory. He is the cleric who blesses the fighter with extra strength. He is the warlord who gives the signal to the barbarian to side step so the rogue can have a flank attack. He is the bard who encourages his party to greater bravery. He is the man behind the man. He is the general, not the rambo. To enjoy playing a leader you must be engaged in the entire combat not just your turn, you must enjoy using abilities and skills in combat not just attacking for max damage, and you must enjoy seeing your allies and party succeed as much or more than having your own spot light moment.
We can certainly do without a leader, or a returning player could switch to a leader, but leaving those options aside, what if JP, Brian or Kurt want to be a leader? Given your preferences, experience and intuition, if they were to make a leader today, what leader would you recommend they make and why? Any answer works, but details like class, build, skills, weapons, armor, abilities and race may help.
Also, any input from our fallen leader Wade would be greatly appreciated! And if JP, Brian or Kurt have suggestions, questions or ideas already this would be a great place to flesh them out. You know, constructive feedback and all. Again, what leader would you make and why?