The advent of games like Savage Worlds, minions have transformed from a serious threat to a minor annoyance. The concept of minions still baffles me a little. The only thing I can think of, is they included popcorn minions in some of the newer games because of the whole “I wanna be awesome” trend currently going around the tabletop gaming community. To me this is a disappointing trend. No DM wants to run a game where players make an ineffectual character and still expect to “win”.
I won’t go descend
into a rant about that attitude… right now.
Back on topic… 1st
edition AD&D didn’t really have minions, for good guys or bad guys. They had
kobolds, goblins, giant ants. But the threat of dying, while picking on minor
monsters was still there. If your dice are giving you the finger on that
particular day, your 3rd level M-U could very well be consigned to
the fireplace of character death. I can’t say anything g about 2nd
edition (never played that one), but when 3rd edition rolled around,
the idea of minions was just starting to emerge. The Leadership feat introduced
the rudimentary origins of the minion concept in the form of a PC sidekick. It
wasn’t that the game got any harder, it was almost a good idea. Almost.
I watched several
players (mostly horrid players that had always been cheaters) twist the
Leadership feat so that they were actually playing 2 characters that could
overcome any challenge. Needless to say, I banned use of that feat in my games,
for the PCs.
I once designed a
game once based around the seven deadly sins. Each sin had it’s own BBEG that
controlled an area surrounding a volcano. The was a Herald that worked for the
BBEGs, and travelled through all the areas, relaying orders, taking care of
upstarts, and generally keeping an eye out for insurrection amongst the
populace. This Herald was a Bard-Dirgsinger. He had several servants, all of
which were formidable in their own right. Even the Sin’s standing army was comprised
of at least 5th level fighters. All of this was intended to
challenge the PCs, which were of mid teens in level. In 3rd ed. The magic
levels were right around 9 to 14th level. After the characters
exceeded that, the DM had to start ramping up the CR level of encounters or
risk the players becoming bored because they would just trample all opposition.
Now some of the dedicated players reading this, probably won’t see anything wrong
with an easy walk, but ask yourself this question… “Do you play to be
challenged?” If you’re playing an RPG just so you can roll a d20 and kill the
monster, even if you rolled a 2, why do you need a DM? Just go play Ultima or
Everquest. Not everyone shares my views on RPGs, not everyone should. Play
however you want. I just don’t think you’ll be playing in any game I’ve
written. You probably wouldn’t enjoy it.
I write adventures
and campaigns that challenge you, not so you can get a participation ribbon.
The idea of minions is exactly that. A participation ribbon. The 1 hit mook, is
just a way for the DM to make the players feel like they’ve achieved something.
When they haven’t even broken a sweat. Those PCs are gonna be really disappointed
when they mow their way thru a couple of hundred minions, only to have the BBEG
stomp them into meat mush. Because the DM may have set the minions on the
party, but the BBEG has to present a challenge. The only way to present a
challenge, is to make the BBEG at least equal to the PCs in power level.
Not using minions
does mean more work for the DM, but I personally don’t mind. Yes, it means more
prep time. And if you’re trying to avoid lengthy prep times, then minions are
an easy out. Yet another rant for another time…
1st
edition gave certain classes the ability to attract a body of followers, but
that’s what they were in our games… FOLLOWERS. You couldn’t send them in ahead
of you, you had to lead from the front. Hence you were still running the risk
and inspiring your followers. If you wanted something to go down the dark
dungeon corridor, and spring all the traps ahead of you, you went and bought a
flock of chickens. 1 cp each made that an easy solution. Maybe I’m old, and
crotchety, and a curmudgeon, and just shouting at the wind. But my view of why
to play an RPG is fairly antiquated. So be it!
I’ve been working
on a game for some twitter friends. This is to be played in Dealands Noir. I
have been seriously considering using minions, but every time I see a potential
use, it comes off as trite. I’ll keep trying, and maybe I’ll just have to let
the GM drop them in wherever he feels they will benefit the story.
The only real use
of a minion I can think of is as alarm systems for the BBEGs. While the bulk of
the cannon fodder holds the PCs attention. That one fleet footed lil bastard
runs off down the hallway to get reinforcements. That’s legal, right? Imagine
their faces when they finally get the Evil tyrant’s throne room, only to
discover the Evil Tyrant has flown the coop. And taken his treasure and
hostages with him. Maybe this minion thing has some merit after all…
Ok, so maybe
minions aren’t there for the BBEG. Maybe they’re to be used as the GM’s
equalizer? Have I had an epiphany? Could be…
Did you notice an unusual amount of commas in this post?
Whatev. Happy gaming!
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