I have an issue with swarms
UngeheuerLich
Legend
Usually I don't use a single swarm. I use at least two or better 4 of them in many cases. That way you have:
- more than 1 attack
- vulnerability to area damage since you can hit more of them.
- A little bit more flexibility in positioning.
Len
Prodigal Member
Torches and lanterns.
Well there already is a swarm trait (which is why I came up with the "overwhelming" trait - though that's not been super popular). I like the idea of that, but the swarm of bats is described as "Medium" which doesn't make a ton of sense to me either. It should be large and then a bunched up party could be really harried
Satyrn
First Post
Well there already is a swarm trait (which is why I came up with the "overwhelming" trait - though that's not been super popular). I like the idea of that, but the swarm of bats is described as "Medium" which doesn't make a ton of sense to me either. It should be large and then a bunched up party could be really harried
There's nothing stopping you from making the swarm bigger.
But I'd think it's easier to just use multiple Medium swarms. Think of it as a tool for building whatever size you want - and as multiple Medium swarms, [MENTION=7706]SkidAce[/MENTION]'s suggestion is effectively implemented.
Look at it as a tool not the final product.
Sacrosanct
Legend
DM: You've exposed yourself to a swarm of insects
Player: Big deal! swarms are underpowered!
DM: The insects are old school rot grubs...
Watch the faces go from arrogant annoyance to terror in a split second
Player: Big deal! swarms are underpowered!
DM: The insects are old school rot grubs...
Watch the faces go from arrogant annoyance to terror in a split second
epithet
Explorer
Ideas I've been working on for swarms include having AoE wipe out the swarm entirely on a failed save, taking it to half on a success. I also think perhaps a swarm of vermin shouldn't attack, but if a creature begins its turn in the area of a swarm or enters that area on its turn, it makes a dex save (DC of 8 + the swarm's attack bonus) or takes the swarm's attack damage, half damage on a success.
cmad1977
Hero
I almost killed a PC or two with a swarm of Quippers(piranha).
I’m not sure Swarms themselves are the issue. If I wanted them to be scarier to higher level PCs I’d ramp them up. They’re not just rats... they’re Infected Ratlings!
Quickleaf
Legend
[MENTION=6801558]robus[/MENTION] You know how 5e treats green slime as a hazard and not a monster? I think that's the model that swarms fit best into.
Usually when I've had PCs encounter a swarm their goal is not "kill the swarm", rather it's "accomplish ______, while dealing with the swarm." In other words, the swarm plays the role of an obstacle. And the most satisfying ways of handling obstacles are those that encourage player creativity.
Statting up a swarm as a monster encourages players to switch into "how do I kill it" mode. Which is –usually– artificial in the narrative. In other words, it switches the player out of the more organic "how do I deal with it" thinking.
I've run swarms as obstacles impromptu, but I've never written up anything formal yet... My hunch would be to blend the green slime writeup with a few of the swarm traits and a dash of the trap countermeasures from XGtE.
Usually when I've had PCs encounter a swarm their goal is not "kill the swarm", rather it's "accomplish ______, while dealing with the swarm." In other words, the swarm plays the role of an obstacle. And the most satisfying ways of handling obstacles are those that encourage player creativity.
Statting up a swarm as a monster encourages players to switch into "how do I kill it" mode. Which is –usually– artificial in the narrative. In other words, it switches the player out of the more organic "how do I deal with it" thinking.
I've run swarms as obstacles impromptu, but I've never written up anything formal yet... My hunch would be to blend the green slime writeup with a few of the swarm traits and a dash of the trap countermeasures from XGtE.
