D&D 5E DM HELP! My players killed Strahd too easily!

[Rils]

Sooner or later Strahd is going to close with the remaining characters and try to kill them dead! I'm not sure I would use a hit & run villain as a finale again.

We haven't got to that point yet, but my theory is to have Strahd be super obnoxious throughout the castle, showing up, dishing some damage, then fade away through the wall. The players should be super jumpy after a few of these encounters. However, once they get to THE place from the card reading, that's when Strahd essentially decides to finish it - he quits playing games at that point, and unleashes everything he's got.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

We haven't got to that point yet, but my theory is to have Strahd be super obnoxious throughout the castle, showing up, dishing some damage, then fade away through the wall. The players should be super jumpy after a few of these encounters. However, once they get to THE place from the card reading, that's when Strahd essentially decides to finish it - he quits playing games at that point, and unleashes everything he's got.

This is what you are supposed to do. The Card Reading place he does not run away in. The rest of the time is ambushes and stuff on Strahd's end.

 

[I'm A Banana]

If your party has the items from the card reading, it's also worth it to note the Disarm action in the DMG.

The most effective action a wolf might take is to force the wielder of the sunsword to roll acrobatics/athletics to keep the sword.

Even if the PC's win that should put the fear of Strahd in 'em.