So I ran my first session

[Jtest 0]

So last night I ran the first session of Anima for my group.  I was using the adventure in the gm tool kit, and the first fight where the four guards attack the passengers took forever..  I wasnt expecting a fast fight as it was everyone's first time at combat in a new system, but with three players and four guards re-rolling initiative each round took up what seemed like a ton of time.  Is this normal? Any tips would be very welcome. 

[Wizuriel2 0]

Ran my first game of Anima last night and had the same problem. Rolling initiative every round really slows down combat, but aside from having the different values on the sheet labeled don't think can speed that up. Other complained my group had was figuring out some combat results was really annoying (so many penalties for ranged combat). Having the tables out and a calculator will probably help speed it up a tad (using a d10 system is annoying for calculations). 

[Blackburn2 0]

I have a couple of suggestions to speed things up.

The GM screen is invaluable in speeding things up, as it reduces the time necessary to flip through the book for important things like the combat chart.

Make sure you have a calculator with as many people as possible, especially with the GM.  Have everyone roll initiative at the same time and then go in a quick circle asking the number they got, jotting this down.  From there, it's just a quick run down the list.

Have players worry about their own numbers and give you their totals, then you do the final math of attack and defense on your own calculator and check the table.  That way things get centralized a bit and the math goes much quicker.

The system does take a bit of getting used to, but having the charts in front of you does help, as do calculators.  The stronger a grasp the GM has on the system the better things will move.

 

As for the penalties at combat, its to help create a choice between ranged and melee.  Ranged combatants are less likely to get hit and can't be counter-attacked.  Melee combatants have and easier time hitting but risk damage themselves in return, and can't escape from opponents as easily.

[Jtest 0]

Thank you for your input Blackburn, I figured it maybe just one of those things where we have to get in the groove of it.

I think while I and my players are picking up on the system, I'll go with fewer baddies at a time.

[hellgeist 0]

Jtest said:

So last night I ran the first session of Anima for my group.  I was using the adventure in the gm tool kit, and the first fight where the four guards attack the passengers took forever..  I wasnt expecting a fast fight as it was everyone's first time at combat in a new system, but with three players and four guards re-rolling initiative each round took up what seemed like a ton of time.  Is this normal? Any tips would be very welcome. 

I've started using a combat tracker instead of just blank scrap paper or memory. For each turn where you have a lot of people fighting in a melee, just jot their name or ID next to their initiatives in order of highest to lowest, and proceed from there. If you track all attacks and defends made as they happen by checking the squares, it will allow you to know exactly what penalties or bonuses apply at any stage of the turn, and these numbers can make the difference between life and death.

For some classes, its very important to know who needs help or who is the most strained or compromised in a given turn. Any player who is perceptive would see this at a glance, and as the GM, you need to be able to report this quickly and accurately.

[Jtest 0]

Hmm i like the look of that combat tracker, let me ask you this.  Do you just keep it open on a laptop when you gm, or do you print copies out?  Looking at it a laminated copy and a dry erase marker would go great together

[hellgeist 0]

I use paper, but a plastic sleeve and erasable marker is a great idea.