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Its not so much that they are all of a sudden increasing focus on high CR epic monsters; its that the 2014 rules basically abandoned high CR epic monsters altogether and the 2025 Monster Manual is trying to redress that glaring mistake.

5th Edition isn't the worst for Epic Tier play, but the saving throw problem needs plugged right away. I also dislike the way Magic Weapon damage is handled. But both those are extremely easy fixes. Hopefully I can get you to trust me on it. ;) Would be interested in hearing about them. I...

Apologies for originally missing this reply UngeheuerLich. What if we compare it to the Claws of a Medium Size Ghast which deal 2d6? Does the 200 foot long, 100 ton dragon with a massive claw far bigger than an entire ghast itself dealing only 2d8 seem appropriate if the ghast's claws deal...

I wasn't. I was taking the average for four 18th level characters including a Wizard, Rogue, Cleric and Fighter. Approx. 600 HP between them. If we swap one for a Barbarian then the HP skews upwards. NB. The Dragon XP makes it a Highly Difficult threat for FIVE Level 17 PCs, 4 Level 18 PCs...

Some combination of Inspiration, Indomitable and Luck. 🤞 Though its still a very tricky save, so I'd probably hope to just kill the dragon in the first round (which would require 8 hits; one of which needs to be a crit). In fairness my character has been unbalanced since it picked up the...

In a roundabout way, yes. 2024 Encounter building rules are much better than 2014's. But, all that falls apart if the monsters don't pack the required punch. All things being equal DM/monster ingenuity likely to be equalized by Player/PC ingenuity and prep. There are ways to mitigate all...

Harsh but fair. Even unoptimized Epic PC's have ways to negate death. The solo enemy needs to have a decent chance of dropping the average PC each round. Otherwise the monster loses everytime. Well that's what average damage totals are listed for...Although it should have been d6, my mistake...

Yes my apologies, that would be for an Epic Tier game using 'God Rules' which has slightly higher than average damage due to a change in magic weapon damage needed to balance martial classes from epic tier and above. Converted back to standard 5e and the damage would be 3/4ths...ie. 9d4 claw...

Yes but if one of the PCs cannot die each round the fight is a complete formality and over before it begins. Agreed. If I was designing the basics, off the top of my head: ACTIONS 2 x Claw: 52 (12d6 +10) slashing, maximum damage (changed to bludgeoning) vs. a Prone Target Bite: 88 (12d12...

:giggle: If Legendary Resistance denies that 'take away' of Reactions, I don't see the major difference. Is there a 100 ton monster swiping its Huge Claw? Which I largely agree with. However, I think 5e has crossed the Rubicon with these damage numbers which are lacklustre and will be...

Lethality for a single character is a complete irrelevance at Epic Levels. It doesn't mean anything. The deceased character will be back on their feet before the party get done counting the treasure. If Highly difficult encounters don't have a possibility of a TPK then they should not be...

As soon as they get a Flametongue weapon, yes. True, that could change my opinion - which is solely just based upon the current information. Adding debilitating conditions can be a great equalizer, though Banish is more annoying than anything. True, but the Fear Factor of failure was more...

One of the largest, most powerful, signature monsters in the game hits with its bite attack and barely deals more damage than a 1st-level character with a Greatsword. Can we have a degree of Verisimilitude here. Not to Epic Tier PCs. I was glancing over the 1st Edition Gold Dragon (for...

I disagree I think WotC are vastly underestimating Epic Tier PC's...yet again. The CR 24 Dragon is supposedly a High (ie. Deadly threat) for 4 18th-level PCs and 5 17th-level characters The CR 24 Dragon in its lair is supposedly a High/Deadly threat for 4 19th-level PCs and only slightly misses...

The base damage of the attacks looks atrocious. At CR 24 it should be dropping an Epic Tier PC each round, not each week. Also while I could understand a bite attack (the round after it breathes fire) adding fire damage, having "Rend" just add fire damage doesn't make a lot of sense. Not...

I've read this a few times now amigo and it seems like an overtly complicated way of solving the issues - even though I applaud the work put into it. Would something simple like add half your attack bonus to defense (AC) not work better? I've run into similar issues with 5E (epic tier+) where...

Apologies for the confusion amigo. I guess my point was, the Balor is pretty weak (for its CR) and thus Legendary Actions might be something they look towards to bolster it, but I agree not all monsters need LA and simply upping damage and in this case damage type, might be the best approach...

Yes. He has been pitting various monsters against each other, with the Balor having to run away against the Pit Fiend for the majority of the fight.

I think I watched Esper's video on the Balor vs Pit Fiend recently and the Pit Fiend won handily.

Good to see a lot more backgrounds and a sense of scale within the art. That was sorely lacking in the 2014 Monster Manual. Definitely looks to be an improvement. The Balor or maybe the Mummy Lord are probably my favourites at this point. I wonder does the Balor now have Legendary Actions...