D&D General BBEGs shouldn't miss.

[Iry]

Or...just don't "design an encounter for the PC's" in the first place and not have to feel any guilt.
That's a pretty good option...

I design every encounter from scratch. But I can see the appeal of a module approach.

 

[Argyle King]

How do you feel about players using screens?

 

[DEFCON 1]

How do you feel about players using screens?

We're all stuck playing online. The players have had their rolls hidden behind their "screen" for 9 months now. I think we're okay with it.

 

[Zsong]

We're all stuck playing online. The players have had their rolls hidden behind their "screen" for 9 months now. I think we're okay with it.

Not me. Still play at homes with groups. But I’m rural area that doesn’t care about this stuff.

 

[Helldritch]

Hiya!

Or...just don't "design an encounter for the PC's" in the first place and not have to feel any guilt.
That's a pretty good option...


^_^

Paul L. Ming

And yet, I do both. Most of my encounters are meant to be challenges. But my players know that some encounters are not meant to be beaten but avoided at all costs.

I am an old school DM with a modern feel. I really like the idea of challenge, but I also like to keep my player on their toes. My philosophy is this:" If the players can beat everything; how can I keep them on their toes...?"

 

[UngeheuerLich]

My encounters are usually as written in the book. Even if the adventure was from a previous edition... Sometimes however I am going a bit easy on them and change a bit.
The question is always what moves the story foreward. A BBEG does not have to hit even once. It is always the tension what could happen if they actually hit. Good how the players made it haplen that thw BBEG did not hit at all. Be it an advantageous time to fight or good spell use. It is not combat as sport as in 4e. It needs to be a beat down from both sides to move the story as fast as possible.

 

[Lanefan]

It is not combat as sport as in 4e. It needs to be a beat down from both sides

Absolutely!

to move the story as fast as possible.

Or stop it dead in its tracks, if the BBEG's beat down proves more effective than the PCs'....

I'm not so concerned with whether the story moves fast or slow or even not at all as long as we're able to have a good laugh about whatever's going on.

 

[Argyle King]

We're all stuck playing online. The players have had their rolls hidden behind their "screen" for 9 months now. I think we're okay with it.

I critical again!

 

[werecorpse]

Yes

I don’t see the method to achieve this as fudging the rolls it seems to be a question about monster/encounter design?

but I don't think it should negate character choices - like high AC

I think it’s interesting monster design for a creature expected to take on many foes to have it an ability that has some auto effect. I like that the Chimera in 5e can use its breath weapon and Some attacks in the same attack sequence for example. Aura’s, lair and legendary actions all assist the single enemy and all can provide interesting player choices

-but then I have no problem with a monster doing a bit of damage or an effect on a miss, especially if it’s not just a sword swing but an unusual attack (say a wraiths attacks or a giants Boulder which shatters so if it misses by say less than 5 it’s half damage etc)

 

[Monayuris]

I don't have any BBEGs in my campaign.

I have a Brigand captain who lead 100's of mercenaires. I have an archmage nemesis seeking to steal arcane artifacts. I have dIvine champions opposing an upstart religion. I have ancient dragons holding sway over their domains. I even have a particularly intelligent kobold warchief with visions of greatness and dominion.

None of these are BBEGs. They are simply NPCs of import in my campaign. They may succeed dramatically or fail after a tough fight, or be unceremoniously be cut down by the PCs. They are mover's and shaker's but they are not BBEGs. I don't give them that much import or build up. My campaign is not based on any one threat. It is based on a real world that has multiple threats.

Some may even be ignored. Others may be faced down and easily defeated. Some may be a real challenge. Others may even become allies or at least respected competitors. Even if one major player is easily slain, there are many more to take its place. It is a victory but not the end.

Stop worrying about having a BBEG as your lynchpin of your campaign. You are setting yourself up for this. Instead create a living breathing world of multiple important NPCs that may or may not be enemies. Let your players go after them with their ingenuity and creativity and watch your simple adventure turn into a political intrigue worthy of the best seasons of Game of Thrones.