Party Formation Options

The are so many ways to make use of the party formation circle that we could spend hours, perhaps days on all the various strategies. Here we will examine some basics.

The Basics

The jewel at the top of the formation circle indicates the front of the party. With this in mind the numbers within the formation circle would be equivalent to the following:

1: Point
2: Left Flank
3: Central
4: Right Flank
5: Rear Guard

You can place a maximum of three characters in any section of the formation circle.

You can always move or "jump" party members to any position during combat as the need arises. The changes made within the party formation during a round of combat will take effect at the beginning of the next round.

Vulnerable Characters

When you have characters who cannot protect themselves in physical combat and can not withstand physical assault it is best they be placed in the Central (3) portion of the formation circle and then completely surrounded by their mates.

When this is not possible, for whatever reason, then you can adjust by placing them in the Rear Guard (5) position. Place other party members on the Flanks (2 & 4) and another in the Central (3) section. Then put your party's "back to a wall." Basically either stand in a doorway or narrow outdoor passage, or literally place the Rear Guard up against a wall or outdoor map boundary.

Dependent upon weapon choices and their respective attack ranges the formations can and will vary but the basic principal remains the same, keep vulnerable characters out of reach of the enemy.

Attack Options

The discussion here is based on a "close range" perspective. It is not taking into consideration opponents that have extended reach and may stand back from the party.

The larger the party the more attack ranges you will need to have. This means you will need to employ members who are good with extended, thrown, and ranged weaponry. All parties beginning at the size of four and upward can pretty much plan any characters over three needing some sort of attack range beginning at extended.

As a rule vulnerable characters will be surrounded by their fellows so they will need to have attack ranges beginning at extended.

Some ways to maximize attacks options when not protecting vulnerable characters would be to place three party members in the Central (3) position. Then place up to three more characters on either of the Flanks (2,4). In this way all monsters near the Point (1) or the Rear Guard (5) could be attacked at short range by all party members. When the monsters move to positions on either Flank (2,4) some of your party members will need a minimum of extended range options. This particular stance can be quite advantageous to a party that uses only extended range weapons.

For parties of seven or more you can place three in the Central (3) position, and split the remaining characters to each Flank (2,4). Again they can attack at close range all monsters at the Point (1) and Rear Guard (5) positions. Monsters on the Flanks will require that those in the Central (3) position have extended options and the characters in the opposite Flank have thrown or ranged capabilities.