GreyLord
Legend
I've put Displacer beast in play in other editions but this is the first time I've actually put them in play in 5e. The party is 3rd level and basically was steamrolling over other CR 3 creatures (for example, they massacred a Manticore) so I didn't expect this to be as much trouble as it was. I decided since solo CR3 creatures were being slaughtered I'd add another Displacer beast and thus they'd have to fight two of them.
Instead of an even fight, it came down to a final roll where they killed the Displacer Beast. Only one character was left standing (A Tiefling Warlock that had stood back until finally everyone else was dead and the last heavily injured beast came at him). It is almost, or basically a TPK (one PC left with around 5 HP) from that one encounter.
The thing that really tossed everyone and made it far more difficult was the Disadvantage to hit the creature automatically, and how it automatically saves against spells (well, takes half damage automatically, and if it saves, no damage). It made it hard for them to hit the creature and to land damage. It has a LOT of hitpoints as well, so not being able to damage it as well means that they were hardpressed. They probably needed to try a different approach (charm the monster or something if they could have) or to have found a way to run away.
I didn't expect such a total disaster (it was supposed to be more of a random encounter while they were travelling to their main objective) that it turned out to be. Just thought I'd write out here my surprise at how dangerous they are for 3rd level characters. Thus far one of the more deadly CR 3 creatures I've put them against.
Instead of an even fight, it came down to a final roll where they killed the Displacer Beast. Only one character was left standing (A Tiefling Warlock that had stood back until finally everyone else was dead and the last heavily injured beast came at him). It is almost, or basically a TPK (one PC left with around 5 HP) from that one encounter.
The thing that really tossed everyone and made it far more difficult was the Disadvantage to hit the creature automatically, and how it automatically saves against spells (well, takes half damage automatically, and if it saves, no damage). It made it hard for them to hit the creature and to land damage. It has a LOT of hitpoints as well, so not being able to damage it as well means that they were hardpressed. They probably needed to try a different approach (charm the monster or something if they could have) or to have found a way to run away.
I didn't expect such a total disaster (it was supposed to be more of a random encounter while they were travelling to their main objective) that it turned out to be. Just thought I'd write out here my surprise at how dangerous they are for 3rd level characters. Thus far one of the more deadly CR 3 creatures I've put them against.