composition of forces that are not men

[tetramorph]

So, although it is literally about the composition of bandit forces, it becomes pretty clear pretty quickly that what the rules are really talking about is composition of human forces with slightly different notes to take into account based upon the different possible types of men.

But there are several monsters that are listed as appearing in groups of tens to hundreds, e.g.: kobolds, goblins, orcs, hobgoblins, gnolls, nixies, pixies, gnomes, dwarves and elves.

Now, dwarves and elves have descriptions that note that there will be higher-level types per certain number of troops.

And orcs have their own elaborate description. Fell, in lairs, can have "kings," etc.

But for the rest, could we assume that we could use the "bandit" composition of force? I mean, in determining the likelihood of stronger leader-types within that race taking the lead?

I ask because my group ran into some mermen on the OS board the other day. I noticed that, for composition of force, I was to interpret them like berserkers, who are, in turn, supposed to be interpreted in terms of (the generic standard of) bandits. This allowed me to have some heroic level, armored, leader type mermen. And I needed this because even a hundred 1HD mermen would have been quickly dispatched by this party, and, in fact, were. The 10th lvl CL cast insect plague and all the 1HD troops just fled to back to the water. This left the heroic type mermen still on land to keep things interesting for the rest of the players.

What do you think? How did I do? This may be a more obvious case. But what if they had encountered gnomes? Could it have worked well there for determining heroic and possibility superheroic gnome leaders? Or is that just crazy? (Whoever heard of a superheroic gnome!?)

Fight on!

[coffee]

I think it's fine. Did you enjoy the game? Did your players? Those are the only two questions you really need to answer to see if something works.

[raisin]

I find that I will now use Bandits and Orc compositions as a model for the composition of any bands of monsters, changing the names to fit the style of creatures! Thanks for the idea . I think that worked out great in your game too, and second coffee's statement.

[clownboss]

One lead I always thought pertained to troop composition of Orcs was the way Orcish Men-at-Arms could be employed in volume III. At least by it, you could easily deduce Orcs only divide into Light Foot, Heavy Foot and Archers.

Elves, on the other hand, divide into HF and Archers, exactly as their composition type is stated in Volume II.