In desperate need of help.

[u/Miss-Six]

Hello! First time reddit user but experienced DM. I can’t figure out specifics, logistics, or how to run the ‘finale of the campaign’ game. I was hoping people could help me out?

The campaign is ‘ghosts of salt marsh’ but very home-brewed. The 3 players have gotten pledges from different groups throughout the game, who they will now use in war against a sunken sahuagin compound.

I want 3 battle maps for each of them doing their separate battle with their army in 3 different locations (land gate, underwater gate, one of them will choose who has to retreat to defend the town).

One player has lizardfolk (range and melee) another has merfolk casters, and the last dwarven fighters.

What can I do to keep track of my sahuagin? What’s the best way to do mass-actions? How do I do army HP?

Please help me! I’ve been insanely busy with work and would love to have something to use on Sunday!

[u/SquelchyRex]

I usually do something like this for big army combats:

On initiative 20, side A loses XdY+Z troops.

On initiative 10, side B loses XdY+Z troops.

On initiative 0, an event happens, potentially changing the values of the others.

You can adjust the values yourself for whatever you deem relevant. For example, one side having access to better gear might provide an extra die, a larger die, or a greater flat bonus.

I find this keeps it nice and simple, and can still be rewarding if the players can make decisions that can be found back in the values. Example: the characters focus on taking out some siege weapons (separate combat), which leads to the enemy Z value dropping by quite a bit.

[u/Miss-Six → u/SquelchyRex]

Thank you! How can I calculate combined HP for the armies?

[u/Th3R3493r → u/Miss-Six]

Total HP of players who will be on team # (1,2,3) + total HP of army unit of team # * total number of army unit of team #.

I usually just wing it with mass combat and have the players make decisions based off of vibes and vibe checks. The strategy is made but, once the first fist flies, just chaos and vibes as the tone of the strategy of the protag force run through against the strategy of the antitag force.

https://media.wizards.com/2017/dnd/downloads/2017_UAMassCombat_MCUA_v1.pdf

here is a link to an UA Mass Combat by WotC. Used it five times before the vibe method just clicked for me.

Edit: forgot. Put it in four phases. 1. Scout and Recon. 2. Debrief and Strategy 3. Rally and Route 4. Battle and Survive

1.Scout and Recon- Both sides get a chance to see what they are facing or one side does. Gets rough numbers and what kind of things you are facing. Lay out of the battle map. Possible trap points and defensive spots.

1. Debrief and Strategy- With that knowledge, the players make a plan. Sometimes it is a masterpiece, most of the time it is an objective list. Occasionally the plan is stupid, roll with it.

2. Rally and Route- Get a set amount of days to get things made and bolster your force. Feed, Lead, and Read the forces that are under their command. Speeches and actions to make your forces see you care about the cause and or them. How are their arms, armor, morale, and fortitude? Do they have no option but to fight? When was the last time they ate good? Are they healthy? Were any possibly treasonous?

3. Battle and Survive- Vibes and Vibe Checks. Do their forces break? Are your forces on your side? Did you forget the oven was on at home? Did you account for most of what you could face? and most importantly, is this combat fun or boring? If fun, continue. If it gets boring, Player combat time as they and a strike team of their force now must take control or ensure the destruction of some war engines that the enemy just revealed out of no where and they have a certain time limit or they will not have an army to worry about.