D&D 5E My Take on the Modron (Houserule)

Stalker0 said:

There are two reasons for this:

Thematically: In lore, modrons only communicate with modrons one rank higher or lower than themselves. So this mechanic reinforces that flavor.

Mechanically: It creates a pyramid structure of power, where 3 tiers of modron in a fight can't all just make the one boss a super foe, the lower modrons can buff up the middle ones, and maybe the middle ones decide to fight or buff up the boss. And so it creates tiers of the pyramid for the players to attack, adding interesting nuance to a modron combat.

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I was really wondering why multiple modrons of the same tier can't "help" each other.

Stalker0 said:

their point (which is true) is that dependent on the scenario you get into one of two states with a given modron:

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Yes, this. Thanks for clarifying.

I like the idea of a higher rank Modron giving all its lessers a +1. The reverse of what you propose. Multiple bosses give an additional bonus. So, large groups of low level Modrons may or may not be a threat (depending on what a 10 nets them) but 5 lesser modrons and 2 higher rank give the lower 5 a 12 on all attacks and saves.

5 modrons, two medium rank modrons and one of a 3rd tier would net the lowest ranked modrons a +3 (for the 3 higher ranked modrons) the medium rank would have a +1 (from the highest ranking one.)

This reflects how higher ranking modrons can coordinate whole groups so they work on perfect unison.

Max it to +10.

It changes the tactic from taking out the easier targets to focusing on the more powerful ones. Which might not be what you were going for.

But it means that large ranks of modrons can accomplish tasks with clockwork precision and predictability

I might want to add THP on too. A lot of the monodrones, duodrones, etc. have sub-Fireball level HP if I recall correctly.

TaranTheWanderer said:

I like the idea of a higher rank Modron giving all its lessers a +1. The reverse of what you propose. Multiple bosses give an additional bonus. So, large groups of low level Modrons may or may not be a threat (depending on what a 10 nets them) but 5 lesser modrons and 2 higher rank give the lower 5 a 12 on all attacks and saves.

5 modrons, two medium rank modrons and one of a 3rd tier would net the lowest ranked modrons a +3 (for the 3 higher ranked modrons) the medium rank would have a +1 (from the highest ranking one.)

This reflects how higher ranking modrons can coordinate whole groups so they work on perfect unison.

Max it to +10.

It changes the tactic from taking out the easier targets to focusing on the more powerful ones. Which might not be what you were going for.

But it means that large ranks of modrons can accomplish tasks with clockwork precision and predictability

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That was my thought as well.

What about something like this:

Aura of Teamwork:

Inside the aura, if an attack roll is preceded by the help action during the round, instead of rolling, the attack roll uses the highest value of the dice, and any attack roll that is not preceded by the help action during the round is made at disadvantage.

I was going to suggest attacks not made after the help use the lowest value of the dice, but that was a little too sadistic even for me.

The premise is that modrons instinctively put the team first, and Team Modron benefits if low CR modrons use the help action to support higher CR modrons make attacks. Nothing prevents the PC's from getting the same benefit (except for generations of murderhoboing), and it has the add philosophical benefit of encouraging lawful-leaning behavior.