D&D 5E Beefing up Acererak for 16th level PCs?

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Since a couple of the PCs can cast counterspell, do you think it would be a good idea to have Acererak feint with a couple at-will spells first to see if he can get them to use up those spell slots? I'd hate to waste time stop. I understand that they would have to roll successfully to counter a 9th-level spell, but that is still a possibility (especially if they cast it at a higher level).

Yes, it really seems one of the best uses of his legendary actions, to just throw a fireball!

 

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• Don't forget about his shield and counterspell reactions. If you worried he might be pinned down by multiple spells, you can always give him the reactive trait (maybe just 2 reactions though).

More than 2 could be oppressive for the party casters!

 

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I'm less sold on wish, I personally don't like spell and wouldn't want to DM it.

The way I have in mind for Acererak to use it is in its every-spell mode. It gives a DM a trick to call on - they can pick any spell 8th level or lower and he can cast it. That's straightforward enough to DM.

 

[dave2008]

The way I have in mind for Acererak to use it is in its every-spell mode. It gives a DM a trick to call on - they can pick any spell 8th level or lower and he can cast it. That's straightforward enough to DM.

Generally seems like a waste of a 9th lvl slot to me (to cast an 8th lvl spell), but it is a good generalist approach.

 

[clearstream]

Generally seems like a waste of a 9th lvl slot to me (to cast an 8th lvl spell), but it is a good generalist approach.

When I look at 9th level wizard spells, there are not many options that make sense. Foresight (precast) would be my second choice. It lasts 8 hours and doesn't require concentration, so the lich could well have cast mind blank in the morning and then foresight once he embarked on whatever it was he was up to. Claiming some artifact or revenging himself on the distant heirs of a hero who crossed him, maybe?

@mrm1138 against 16th level characters, foresight may help considerably.

[EDIT Wish is something I chose with his backstory in mind - it makes sense to me that the powerful solve-any-problem spell would be something he would like in his pocket on his planar wanderings.]

 

[mrm1138]

@mrm1138 against 16th level characters, foresight may help considerably.

[EDIT Wish is something I chose with his backstory in mind - it makes sense to me that the powerful solve-any-problem spell would be something he would like in his pocket on his planar wanderings.]

I'm thinking I might want to save Foresight and Wish for the campaign-ending final boss (when all the PCs are level 20). Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

The lair and legendary actions are a wonderful mechanic that gives dragons an extra bit of oomph without giving them a whole entire set of caster abilities to manage. It mostly enables dragons to act as credible solo threats, and makes them feel like a significant encounter. One of the last times I ran 4e, the final battle involved essentially curb-stomping a dragon while it found itself unable to do anything due to a confluence of PC powers.

I skipped 2e and 3e, but 1e had spell casting dragons as an option, but didn't really give support for them. I like magically dragons, but I feel 2e and 3w went overboard IMO. I actually like the alternate spell casting in 5e, I just wish they actually provided you with the spells. Add in the lair actions (which I have allowed Ancients to use without their lair) and you get something quite magical without being to much of a burden.