|
2 years ago ::
Feb 28, 2011 - 11:40AM
#1
|
Date Joined:
Feb 18, 2010
|
DMs Only
Show
As I was reading session 4, it occured to be that if the PCs just plug the doorway with a defender (making sure to keep him healed) then it could be a fairly easy encounter as the undead have no ranged attacks. They would only get at most 3 attacks a round.
I was thinking of just switching the printed decrepit skeletons with the ones from monster vault so they get crossbows.
Thoughts?
|
|
|
|
2 years ago ::
Feb 28, 2011 - 12:20PM
#2
|
Date Joined:
Jun 18, 2003
|
I think the walls can be easily scaled, so the skeletons can get around a "block the opening" strategy by making an Athletics check and taking a few more squares of movement instead of attacking. I had thought about giving the skeletons a ranged attack, but I rather like the "cinematics" of this swarm of skeletons poring over the walls, forcing the PCs to move to block their progress.
|
|
|
|
2 years ago ::
Feb 28, 2011 - 1:08PM
#3
|
- Dragon Slayer
- If only he would apply himself
- Dammit Jim, this is Star Trek, not D&D!
Date Joined:
Jan 31, 2006
|
I agree. Spoiler:
Show
This should be classic undead stuff, where you can't stop them. Only the one NPC can stop them as described. Until then, they crawl over and out of the terrain. Having ranged options can be good, though. It isn't a bad idea, especially if you want to space out the party. For example, having some undead with ranged weapons pop up behind the party and one firing on the priest is a great way to have the players really worry and have to divide their forces. It is also a good idea if a PC has a burst they can do repeatedly, lessening the minion threat.
Another inspiration is Aliens. Hunter is rapid shoting the foes too well? The ground around her/him comes alive as two undead claw out to grab him/her! (No provoking, undead just start adjacent to the Hunter).
As with any DM modifications, always do it for fun. You aren't trying to kill the PCs, just to make this a thrilling combat that makes the players think of classic horror movies.
Follow my blog and Twitter feed with Dark Sun campaign design and DM tips! Dark Sun's Ashes of Athas Campaign is now available for home play (PM me with your e-mail to order the campaign adventures).
|
|
|
|
2 years ago ::
Feb 28, 2011 - 2:37PM
#4
|
Date Joined:
Aug 21, 2007
|
I agree, too. Again, the combat isn't the #1 point of this session. Testing of the spoiler tag
Show
But this is a little tease of things to come later on. And at that time it's a matter of scale. They'll remember back to this encounter and say "And we thought that was a big deal."
Give your PCs a sense of realization that they've stepped into something big. This isn't just a matter of moving into this castle site. I'm planning on really selling the tower and making them wonder what exactly to do about that. Not that there's anything they can do- but I want to give them a sense of all of this stuff is happening at once and how are they going to handle it?
Then the session will be over. (Cliffhanger!!)
P.S. I just found the post on how to put stuff in the spoiler blocks. I was reluctant to say more here but I'll be less vague in the future.
|
|
|
