MadBear
2022-04-12, 05:20 PM
Hello everyone,
I'm running a D&D club for students at my highschool. The group has swelled to 9 kids just as we hit the final battle that I'll be running. Very briefly, they're ambushing a group of dwarven slavers, which will cascade with the lizardmen guards being called in as well. I've taken a ton of inspiration from Matt Coville's action oriented monsters and am hoping to make this a memorable and fun encounter.
The players are all between levels 2-4 (average 3)
I'm looking for advice on how to make this encounter fun.
If you're not familiar:
Minions: Same AC and attack as a normal version of this type, but with only 1 hp (however if they save from an aoe spell they take 0 damage). This allows a lot of weak enemies to swarm players without having to worry too much about tracking HP.
Boss Actions: Similar to legendary actions, but each one can only used once per round. More powerful than a legendary action, but only 1 per round.
Enemies:
Slavers: Otis, Karl, Harky (the 3 who captured them originally which is why the players are out for revenge)
Slave minions: 3 slaver minions will start on the map in the bar with the slavers
Gregger the Guard Commander: The slavers sold their slaves to him who used them in his fighting pit. He's a bit cowardly and prefers to have others fight in his place.
Details:
Otis:
HP: 25
AC: 15
Action: +4 1d8+4 axe damage
Bonus action: Sand in the eye: DC 10 con or people get advantage on you until the end of your next turn
Reaction: Eye gouge: when a melee attack against him misses, he can make an attack roll. If successful attacker takes 1d4-1 damage and is blinded for the end of their next turn
Boss action:
Spill the beer: breaks kegs in back of room with axe throw. All terrain within 10 feet of kegs is difficult
Throat punch: As part of the attack action can target the larynx with a punch that deals 1d4 damage. If the hit is successful make a dc 12 con/dex save or lose the ability to speak for 1d4 rounds
Kidney Punch: after hitting with an attack make a second attack that deals 1d4 damage and is poisoned until the end of their next turn.
Karl:
HP: 25
AC: 15
Action: +3 1d8+3 crossbow bolt
Bonus action: Sneaky git: Can hide as a bonus action
Reaction: Pin em: When an opponent moves, make an attack roll. If it hits it deals 1d4-1 damage and their movement speed becomes 0.
Harky:
HP: 25
AC: 18
Action: +2 1d10 + 2 damage from warhammer. On a hit moves enemies 5 ft in any direction.
Bonus Action: Bulwark: Reach increases to 10 ft. Any provoked opportunity attack stops movement on a hit
Reaction: Can force an enemy within 5 ft targeting an ally to attack him instead.
Slaver minion:
HP:1
AC:14
Action: Attack +2 1d4 + 2 spear attack
Guard Minions:
HP: 1
AC: 14
Action: +3 1d6+1 damage
Guard Commander Gregger:
HP: 40
AC: 16
Action: +6 1d6 +3 damage from bolt
Bonus action: Call for aid: 1d4 guard minions appear
Reaction:
You shall not fall: Any minion that dies instead lives.
Get these pests away from me: After someone moves into melee range, swap him with a minion
Boss action:
We’re under attack: 2d6 minions appear
Kill the mages: All minions can make a free move
I want them DEAD: All minions get a free attack
I'm running a D&D club for students at my highschool. The group has swelled to 9 kids just as we hit the final battle that I'll be running. Very briefly, they're ambushing a group of dwarven slavers, which will cascade with the lizardmen guards being called in as well. I've taken a ton of inspiration from Matt Coville's action oriented monsters and am hoping to make this a memorable and fun encounter.
The players are all between levels 2-4 (average 3)
I'm looking for advice on how to make this encounter fun.
If you're not familiar:
Minions: Same AC and attack as a normal version of this type, but with only 1 hp (however if they save from an aoe spell they take 0 damage). This allows a lot of weak enemies to swarm players without having to worry too much about tracking HP.
Boss Actions: Similar to legendary actions, but each one can only used once per round. More powerful than a legendary action, but only 1 per round.
Enemies:
Slavers: Otis, Karl, Harky (the 3 who captured them originally which is why the players are out for revenge)
Slave minions: 3 slaver minions will start on the map in the bar with the slavers
Gregger the Guard Commander: The slavers sold their slaves to him who used them in his fighting pit. He's a bit cowardly and prefers to have others fight in his place.
Details:
Otis:
HP: 25
AC: 15
Action: +4 1d8+4 axe damage
Bonus action: Sand in the eye: DC 10 con or people get advantage on you until the end of your next turn
Reaction: Eye gouge: when a melee attack against him misses, he can make an attack roll. If successful attacker takes 1d4-1 damage and is blinded for the end of their next turn
Boss action:
Spill the beer: breaks kegs in back of room with axe throw. All terrain within 10 feet of kegs is difficult
Throat punch: As part of the attack action can target the larynx with a punch that deals 1d4 damage. If the hit is successful make a dc 12 con/dex save or lose the ability to speak for 1d4 rounds
Kidney Punch: after hitting with an attack make a second attack that deals 1d4 damage and is poisoned until the end of their next turn.
Karl:
HP: 25
AC: 15
Action: +3 1d8+3 crossbow bolt
Bonus action: Sneaky git: Can hide as a bonus action
Reaction: Pin em: When an opponent moves, make an attack roll. If it hits it deals 1d4-1 damage and their movement speed becomes 0.
Harky:
HP: 25
AC: 18
Action: +2 1d10 + 2 damage from warhammer. On a hit moves enemies 5 ft in any direction.
Bonus Action: Bulwark: Reach increases to 10 ft. Any provoked opportunity attack stops movement on a hit
Reaction: Can force an enemy within 5 ft targeting an ally to attack him instead.
Slaver minion:
HP:1
AC:14
Action: Attack +2 1d4 + 2 spear attack
Guard Minions:
HP: 1
AC: 14
Action: +3 1d6+1 damage
Guard Commander Gregger:
HP: 40
AC: 16
Action: +6 1d6 +3 damage from bolt
Bonus action: Call for aid: 1d4 guard minions appear
Reaction:
You shall not fall: Any minion that dies instead lives.
Get these pests away from me: After someone moves into melee range, swap him with a minion
Boss action:
We’re under attack: 2d6 minions appear
Kill the mages: All minions can make a free move
I want them DEAD: All minions get a free attack