1KM1KT Free RPG Community

I've been GM for a couple of one-shots recently, and I have a problem I need a bit of help resolving. I'll usually have a couple of semi-weak NPC''s jump out at the characters, at which point the PC's the slaughter them because I give the PC's the first oppurtunity to attack. This hasn't been a major problem, as typically the fights are medium-large scale, but the purpose of these little ambushes is to shave a couple of hit points off the characters, which they haven't been doing. I guess my main question is whether or not to allow the PC's first strike, or allow the NPC's to. I don't want to kill them, just beat them up a bit. Any suggestions?

You could change the enemy's motivation, they don't want to kill the PCs, just rough them up a bit. Someone is trying to teach them a lesson or just wants them off their turf. They get jumped, If they still mop the floor with the mooks well then you'll need bigger mooks.

Do a check roll to see if the PC's notice the attack coming . . . (Passive Perception Roll in D&D)
If they notice . . PC's get first attack . . . IF they don't . . . NPC's get first attack.

If you're worried that the NPC's will do TOO much damage . . .
adjust their damage to a level lower . . . (if they can do 2d6 damage, make it 1d6),
or make the damage static . . . the NPC lands a hit he does 4 points of damage.

Adjust the conditions that as soon as one or 2 of the NPC's are dispatched,that the others flee.