D&D 5E (2014) 20th level Sorcerer vs the world

[Zio_the_dark]

Last time I played Shadow Sorcerer level 4, stealth casting I killed 4 ogre mages alone with Subtle Mental Spike.
It was funny, they lost and didn't know what happened.

Well right in a game where you were alone isn't it?

 

[Hohige]

Well right in a game where you were alone isn't it?

I was an "assassin style" Shadow Sorcerer with expertise in Stealth, high dex and Darkvision 120' (Bigger than the enemy)
It was enough to defeat the enemy on their home.

 

[fearsomepirate]

If nothing happened, why would you do that? Metagame is inevitable. Haha ha

Because the turn system in D&D is just an abstract way of resolving everyone acting during the same 6-second window, and millions of little details of reality handwaved away.

Going first in initiative simply means you realized something is wrong, and the party is in danger. You realized the insects common in this area of the Underdark are quiet. You smell something foul on the wind. You heard a twig snap, though you can't place where it came from. In some trivial way, that gives you no information beyond, "you are in danger," something happened, and you reacted to it first.

When the DM says, "roll initiative," that's what happened.

 

[prabe]

Well right in a game where you were alone isn't it?

It certainly doesn't seem plausible in a game involving actual other people.

 

[Hohige]

It certainly doesn't seem plausible in a game involving actual other people.

I didn't do everything in a party.
Infiltration missions were with me.
Everyone was surprised how I defeated the enemies. Poisoned Light Crossbot, Expedious Retreat (For amazing speed) Darkvision 120ft better than the enemy with 60ft. And Subtle Mind Spike.
It was incredibly efficient.

At level 5, he got Magical Guidance and started mass destruction.

 

[Zio_the_dark]

@Hohige so in your game it goes like this

Sorcerer: I'm hidden I cast subtle mind spike at the ogre mage
DM: OK what's next
Sorcerer: I cast subtle mind spike again
DM: OK, the ogres mage sit down and are having some fun playing with bones
Sorcerer: I cast mind spike again
DM: one of the ogre mage dies but the others don't mind and go on playing with bones what are you doing?
Sorcerer: I cast subtle mind spike they can't see me hahahahahaha

 

[fearsomepirate]

Yeah, I've never heard of this, "enemies don't get to roll initiative if the spells are psychic-based" rule.

 

[Hohige]

@Hohige so in your game it goes like this

Sorcerer: I'm hidden I cast subtle mind spike at the ogre mage
DM: OK what's next
Sorcerer: I cast subtle mind spike again
DM: OK, the ogres mage sit down and are having some fun playing with bones
Sorcere: I cast mind spike again
DM: one of the ogre mage dies but the others don't mind and go on playing with bones what are you doing?
Sorcerer: I cast subtle mind spike they can't see me hahahahahaha

He defeats one (The effect on him was severe headaches and malaise. That was the psychic effect that DM gave him) and then they started to use the search action.
After 4 rounds, one of them succeeded.
But, I took advantage of the darkness and hide again, he was very fast due to the Expedition Retreat.
Attacked with Poisoned Crossbow and Firebolt
It was a massacre.

 

[prabe]

Yeah, I've never heard of this, "enemies don't get to roll initiative if the spells are psychic-based" rule.

I've never heard of any real rule n 5E that prevented the opposition from rolling Initiative.

I've played other games that handled ambushes differently, but that's not particularly relevant here.

 

[Hohige]

Yeah, I've never heard of this, "enemies don't get to roll initiative if the spells are psychic-based" rule.

Look, my IDM did not take initiative for them. The first ogre felt severe headaches and severe malaise.