How do I determine how intelligent enemies attack? For beasts and plants and such, I usually roll to randomly determine a player, then attack based off that. But intelligent, even semi-intelligent orcs and such, would they use attack priorities? Would they recognize a caster on sight? Does a devil recognize a character with a bane weapon at a glance? Should I have them roll their own knowledge checks against the players and their gear?
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\$\begingroup\$ Related question: How can I play monsters and NPCs up to their potential? Addresses stupid enemies as well as intelligent ones. \$\endgroup\$– KRyanCommented Aug 16, 2013 at 6:06
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2\$\begingroup\$ Also, although this is metagaming, in 3.5 there are no disadvantages to wounded characters, well, except for being wounded. That would mean that any experienced force in the system will systematically gang up on PCs one at a time, as opposed to inflicting smaller damage on every of them, since it means that they will receive less damage in the long run. \$\endgroup\$– kravarosCommented Aug 20, 2013 at 19:04
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3 Answers
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Remember that the NPCs are intelligent. While most of them are not brilliant, they're still going to have combat senses and instincts. Even many unintelligent NPCs have combat instincts (e.g. wolves).
As there is (usually) no physical difference between a caster and non-caster, an orc would have a hard time pointing one out unless they were wearing typical garb or have some other giveaway. Once they cast a spell, though, their cover is blown.
I would recommend doing what makes sense, and this often involves making knowledge checks for NPCs. If it's obvious they'll recognize it, feel free to take 10 and succeed. If your system does not support take 10, then do what makes sense for the NPC. For instance, a devil would have an easy time spotting a bane weapon, but that does not guarantee they will. And, if they do, they're going to behave significantly differently than otherwise.
For the most part, when dealing with NPCs, do what makes sense or just take 10. You don't need to roll nearly as often as the players; remember, the time you spend rolling is time the players spend waiting for you to hurry up and stop rolling. Most of the time I would say: go with what makes sense, and if you're unsure, roll. If your players object and want you to roll, then they will point it out to you, and through this, you can garner a better feel for how your players play.
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2\$\begingroup\$ This, plus Dancing Kobold's answer. Addendum: Keeping all this in mind battle after battle can be mentally taxing. For less important fights, consider following the players' example, fighting the same way they do, being reactive. It gives you a break, keeps the game moving, and might even lull them into complacency for your next, more interesting encounter :-) \$\endgroup\$ Commented Mar 1, 2014 at 1:34
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Remember that the NPCs are intelligent. While most of them are not brilliant, they're still going to have combat senses and instincts. Even many unintelligent NPCs have combat instincts (e.g. wolves).
Just to expand upon this, most animals such as wolves will target a creature in particular as prey focusing upon either the smallest or the most obviously wounded, continuing with the wolf example several of a pack may harass the party as a distraction while the rest of the pack attempts to separate the designated prey away from the party and take it down.
Racial preferences may also affect the initial targeting of attackers for example orcs hate elves and a leader of an assault may demand the satisfaction of killing the elf himself causing the rest of the group to avoid the elf only attacking when attacked themselves.
Kobolds on the other hand hate gnomes and in an ambush scenario a gnome character may find themselves on the receiving end of most of the initial attacks. Alternatively if the fight goes badly for the kobolds and they have no chance of escape or surrender they may throw themselves at the gnome in the hope they can at least take one of their peoples hated foes with them.
This sort of thing really helps gives character to the races and encounters and can lead to bemusing occurrences.
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This is a great question. While knowledge checks and the like would help, I think they also may slow the game down a bit. As DM, you are privy to information the enemies won't necessarily have. I tend to like the random rolls for targeting and tactics because then I'm less tempted to do what I (as DM) think is the best strategy. If you layout a defense strategy beforehand for your encounters; a set of tactics they might reasonably use, you can follow that, and make minor adjustments as the combat evolves. This allows you to be more impartial, yet still have your enemies try to adapt. Even unintelligent enemies know when it hurts! They may choose to target a caster after being hit hard.
