1-2 FighterConsidering multiple answers here,
I vote for rolling a D6!
What I meant was that most foes don't need a coup de grace. You take them to 0 hp, they're dead. Whether the BBEG should know that the PCs work differently will vary from table to table.
A very reasonable approach.Ah, I see said the blind man. In my games the rules work the same for PC and NPC alike, it's just that I don't track death saves for the bad guys because most of the time it's not worth it. It's explained that important NPCs may get death saves or under certain circumstances ... somewhere. Probably in the DMG that nobody reads.
You are the GM. Who does the BBEG attack? Why? What then?
A villain with access to lair actions and legendary actions/resistances would certainly change the calculus.I'm 6 pages late but if I can be dropped the next round then I'm going to try to escape. Unless I'm a sacrificial clone or simulacrum of the BBEG, of course. I'll use my Lair Action first, then hopefully this will trigger use of a Legendary Action, then I use my Action and Bonus Action.
A villain with access to lair actions and legendary actions/resistances would certainly change the calculus.
I mean, sure, posit whatever scenario you want, but none of that was in the OP. For a reason, even.This is the BBEG! Of course they have at least the first two if not all three. BTW I forgot that the BBEG will Action Surge for a second full Action of movement. (Action Surge by itself is a superb escape power for Fighters.)
And let's not forget that the BBEG's big attack has a save. Anyone can roll a 20.
I mean, sure, posit whatever scenario you want, but none of that was in the OP. For a reason, even.