D&D 5E (2024) Tuning big single creatures into multi-part-creatures.

[Stalker0]

I do like the idea of thematically some of the parts can "block" the AOEs, to limit the amount of AOE damage that is inflicted.

The idea of the dragon for example (if it was lets say a left side, right side, head kind of split).

Wings: When the dragon takes an area effect, it can cover itself with its wings to protect its vital head. AOE effects can only target the left and right sides only.


needs some wordsmithing but the idea allows the AOE to hit 2 parts, but not all 3.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

I guess it wouldn#t go smoothly with every spell and power, but maybe the rule could simply be: If you cast a spell that targets a creature (regardless of size) and teleports or banishes it, the target makes a single save. If it fails, the caster must concentrate an additional turn for each "component" of the creature, and then the spell takes effect and it's teleported or banished or whatever. (If it succeeds, the spell fails as usual, the caster can curse out his luck and keep doing what he'd normally do).

It puts a clear focus for the creature on disrupting the caster's concetration (and/or its existence), and for the players to switch from engaging the creature to protecting the caster's ability to concetrate. And you still have to survive 1+ rounds of combat against the creature.

The same could apply to instant-death spells, if you had any.

 

[mellored]

EDIT: Perhaps I misunderstood. I you saying the spell should be upcast with each additionally level covering an additional part? That makes some sense too.

Assuming a 3 part creature (or 3 parts left alive)

Your suggestion: Cast Banish at level 4 (1 target), needs 3 failed saves.

My suggestion: Cast Banish at level 6 (3 targets), needs 3 failed saves.

Not sure which is more balanced.

 

[mellored]

I guess it wouldn#t go smoothly with every spell and power, but maybe the rule could simply be: If you cast a spell that targets a creature (regardless of size) and teleports or banishes it, the target makes a single save. If it fails, the caster must concentrate an additional turn for each "component" of the creature, and then the spell takes effect and it's teleported or banished or whatever. (If it succeeds, the spell fails as usual, the caster can curse out his luck and keep doing what he'd normally do).

It puts a clear focus for the creature on disrupting the caster's concetration (and/or its existence), and for the players to switch from engaging the creature to protecting the caster's ability to concetrate. And you still have to survive 1+ rounds of combat against the creature.

The same could apply to instant-death spells, if you had any.

I quite like that idea, with the monsters trying to disrupt the caster and allies trying to protect the wizard.

But i feel like that would require a new edition with that philosophy more up front.

 

[dave2008]

Assuming a 3 part creature (or 3 parts left alive)

Your suggestion: Cast Banish at level 4 (1 target), needs 3 failed saves.

My suggestion: Cast Banish at level 6 (3 targets), needs 3 failed saves.

Not sure which is more balanced.

I'm leaning your direction!

 

[Yaarel]

Splitting a big bad into monster "parts", neednt be so literal. It can apply to solo boss fights too. Like layers of hit points. Lose a layer, become unable to spellcast or so on. So it would be as if separate monsters were being killed off and no longer able to attack across multiple turns per round.

 

[Stalker0]

I guess it wouldn#t go smoothly with every spell and power, but maybe the rule could simply be: If you cast a spell that targets a creature (regardless of size) and teleports or banishes it, the target makes a single save. If it fails, the caster must concentrate an additional turn for each "component" of the creature, and then the spell takes effect and it's teleported or banished or whatever. (If it succeeds, the spell fails as usual, the caster can curse out his luck and keep doing what he'd normally do).

I think we can make this a little more generic and apply it to a few other cases as well.

"Leesh": A body part has a leesh distance to the central part. This has the following effects:

1) A body part cannot move further away than the leesh distance, and any movement or teleportation effect can only move them to a location within the leesh range.

2) If the central part moves in a way that exceeds the leesh distance, the body part is pulled to a location at the leesh distance.

3) A body part cannot be moved to another plane unless all parts are moved together.