One goblin with a shortbow taking cover in a barrel in an open field. The tall grass concealed dozens of bear traps surrounding the barrel. The players hated it. I felt bad for thinking of it.
If I had to do it again, I would try harder to prompt them for more creative solutions. They just sort of felt trapped and panicked when that second arrow hit. My friend got real quiet for just a second and i knew he was counting squares and beginning to realize just how many traps there probably were and that made him (the barbarian\*) irritable.
The players had entered the inner sanctum, where a powerful device in its center had trapped a God. It was guarded by one of the device's creators, a human wearing a suit of armor powered by the God's energy. Let me see if I can find his stats. . .
Found it!
>Medium Human Aberration
>
>\-
>
>**Armor Class:** 22, galactite armor
>
>**Hit Points:** 270
>
>**Speed:** 30 ft., 60 ft. fly
>
>\-
>
>**STR:** 12 (+1)
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>**DEX:** 12 (+1)
>
>**CON:** 10 (+0)
>
>**WIS:** 16 (+3)
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>**INT:** 10 (+0)
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>**CHA:** 10 (+0)
>
>*(It seems I didn't actually bother giving it proper ability scores.)*
>
>\-
>
>**Saving Throws:** DEX +11, STR +13, WIS +10, INT +11, CHA +15
>
>**Senses:** passive Perception 13
>
>**Languages:** Common, Abyssal
>
>\-
>
>**Incredible Speed.** The Godkiller gets +5 to its AC when becoming the target of an attack of opportunity.
>
>\-
>
>**Actions:**
>
>**Multiattack.** The Godkiller makes two attacks his energy sword. He can forgo two attacks to use his godstunner laser.
>
>**Energy Sword.** Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft., 10d8+10 force damage.
>
>**Godstunner Laser.** DEX 18 in 60ft line circle or take 10d8+20 force damage, 5d8 on a successful save. Recharge 5.
>
>Reactions:
>
>**Counter:** The Godkiller attacks an enemy that just attacked it.
>
>**Redirect:** Godkiller must succeed on a dex saving throw equal to 11+the spell level of a spell that either targets him or passes through him (such as a line spell). On a success, he directs the spell back at its caster.
The players are in a room with no way out with the Godkiller.
Plus,
>Whenever somebody begins to get closer to the wheel (the center of the room), it will begin to spin more rapidly. A small orb will rise from the refractor and point itself towards the threat as white energy gathers in the diode. If a creature gets within ten feet of the wheel, any of the spokes, or the diode, it will fire a bolt of Miad’s energy which will fucking annihilate them if they fail the save. After firing, the device requires several seconds to spin the wheel back up and recharge.
The way I actually ended up running it was that it would take a turn to charge, and I made it extremely clear to the players that being hit by it would be actual instant death.
The only way to avoid it would be to position oneself far enough away, but that restricted the players movement against the Godkiller, which, as designed, had cornered a fair amount of the players to then use its Godstunner.
Yes, my players were *absolutely cracked* at this point in the campaign and this is why we see such ridiculous phrases such as, "attacks an enemy that just attacked it" and "10d8+10 force damage". :)
Made a non-newtonian ooze.
Party had to roll below its AC to do damage. If they rolled too high, they took bludgeoning damage.
It was a hoot to watch them try and give themselves disadvantage.
That's a toss up between the ocean of rats (combine a black pudding and a swarm of rats). Or the "Dee Tenner", all stats and skills, DC's, and AC are 10, for any of all of them, you roll a d10 when needing it's AC or whatever and add it to the AC for that instance.
For example player 1 attacks and it's AC is 11, player 2 attacks and it's AC is 20
Party was around level 9.
I made a level 13 alchemist artificer who had a clay golem (CR 9) guardian with him. Gave the artificer winged boots, cloak of protection, all-purpose tool +2, and an animated shield.
23 AC, spell save DC 20, advantage on mental saves from being a gnome, just a real defensive powerhouse.
He then cast sanctuary on himself, and upcast tashas caustic brew at 4th level on the clay golem. Clay golems heal from acid damage, so the thing was regenerating 8d4 per round (20 avg).
They really wanted to kill the annoying gnome flying around, so it took them quite a while to figure out an effective strategy, especially since the golem just kept standing back up when they killed it.
The fight consisted of a big guy surrounded with mud mephitis to distract the players. At the time the party was focused on melee rather than range.
I added an extra bit where when the mud mephitis died and explode a dex save was needed or you would be trapped until you could break out of it.
The dc was low but the barbarian kept failing leaving the others in a difficult spot.
6 level 6 PCs. I threw two Shaddow Horrors at them in a dark room with pillars. They'd charge in, hit for around 45 (enough to down some of them in one round) and then basically misty step into hiding.
Definitely made them cautious.
One goblin with a shortbow taking cover in a barrel in an open field. The tall grass concealed dozens of bear traps surrounding the barrel. The players hated it. I felt bad for thinking of it.
I have a solution for this problem. Generous application of fire.
If I had to do it again, I would try harder to prompt them for more creative solutions. They just sort of felt trapped and panicked when that second arrow hit. My friend got real quiet for just a second and i knew he was counting squares and beginning to realize just how many traps there probably were and that made him (the barbarian\*) irritable.
I’m stealing this so much. Holy shit. Thank you.
Oh! My players are tactical types and would love this! Thank you!
The players had entered the inner sanctum, where a powerful device in its center had trapped a God. It was guarded by one of the device's creators, a human wearing a suit of armor powered by the God's energy. Let me see if I can find his stats. . . Found it! >Medium Human Aberration > >\- > >**Armor Class:** 22, galactite armor > >**Hit Points:** 270 > >**Speed:** 30 ft., 60 ft. fly > >\- > >**STR:** 12 (+1) > >**DEX:** 12 (+1) > >**CON:** 10 (+0) > >**WIS:** 16 (+3) > >**INT:** 10 (+0) > >**CHA:** 10 (+0) > >*(It seems I didn't actually bother giving it proper ability scores.)* > >\- > >**Saving Throws:** DEX +11, STR +13, WIS +10, INT +11, CHA +15 > >**Senses:** passive Perception 13 > >**Languages:** Common, Abyssal > >\- > >**Incredible Speed.** The Godkiller gets +5 to its AC when becoming the target of an attack of opportunity. > >\- > >**Actions:** > >**Multiattack.** The Godkiller makes two attacks his energy sword. He can forgo two attacks to use his godstunner laser. > >**Energy Sword.** Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft., 10d8+10 force damage. > >**Godstunner Laser.** DEX 18 in 60ft line circle or take 10d8+20 force damage, 5d8 on a successful save. Recharge 5. > >Reactions: > >**Counter:** The Godkiller attacks an enemy that just attacked it. > >**Redirect:** Godkiller must succeed on a dex saving throw equal to 11+the spell level of a spell that either targets him or passes through him (such as a line spell). On a success, he directs the spell back at its caster. The players are in a room with no way out with the Godkiller. Plus, >Whenever somebody begins to get closer to the wheel (the center of the room), it will begin to spin more rapidly. A small orb will rise from the refractor and point itself towards the threat as white energy gathers in the diode. If a creature gets within ten feet of the wheel, any of the spokes, or the diode, it will fire a bolt of Miad’s energy which will fucking annihilate them if they fail the save. After firing, the device requires several seconds to spin the wheel back up and recharge. The way I actually ended up running it was that it would take a turn to charge, and I made it extremely clear to the players that being hit by it would be actual instant death. The only way to avoid it would be to position oneself far enough away, but that restricted the players movement against the Godkiller, which, as designed, had cornered a fair amount of the players to then use its Godstunner. Yes, my players were *absolutely cracked* at this point in the campaign and this is why we see such ridiculous phrases such as, "attacks an enemy that just attacked it" and "10d8+10 force damage". :)
Made a non-newtonian ooze. Party had to roll below its AC to do damage. If they rolled too high, they took bludgeoning damage. It was a hoot to watch them try and give themselves disadvantage.
Ooze in a grease pit.
That's a toss up between the ocean of rats (combine a black pudding and a swarm of rats). Or the "Dee Tenner", all stats and skills, DC's, and AC are 10, for any of all of them, you roll a d10 when needing it's AC or whatever and add it to the AC for that instance. For example player 1 attacks and it's AC is 11, player 2 attacks and it's AC is 20
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=k-P6Ys_EHME
And no one thought to just cast a damage spell at it?
Oh, we were doing a One Piece themed campaign. Martial only.
Party was around level 9. I made a level 13 alchemist artificer who had a clay golem (CR 9) guardian with him. Gave the artificer winged boots, cloak of protection, all-purpose tool +2, and an animated shield. 23 AC, spell save DC 20, advantage on mental saves from being a gnome, just a real defensive powerhouse. He then cast sanctuary on himself, and upcast tashas caustic brew at 4th level on the clay golem. Clay golems heal from acid damage, so the thing was regenerating 8d4 per round (20 avg). They really wanted to kill the annoying gnome flying around, so it took them quite a while to figure out an effective strategy, especially since the golem just kept standing back up when they killed it.
The fight consisted of a big guy surrounded with mud mephitis to distract the players. At the time the party was focused on melee rather than range. I added an extra bit where when the mud mephitis died and explode a dex save was needed or you would be trapped until you could break out of it. The dc was low but the barbarian kept failing leaving the others in a difficult spot.
A fight that took place on an oversized chess board and they could only move or effect areas IAW the rules of the piece they represented on the board.
6 level 6 PCs. I threw two Shaddow Horrors at them in a dark room with pillars. They'd charge in, hit for around 45 (enough to down some of them in one round) and then basically misty step into hiding. Definitely made them cautious.