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<blockquote data-quote="Quickleaf" data-source="post: 6829157" data-attributes="member: 20323"><p>[MENTION=2067]I'm A Banana[/MENTION]</p><p></p><p>I have noticed that getting swarmed by enemies happens a lot in my games. Then again, it always has, so I don't know how much is 5th edition and how much is me <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>Though I can mention a couple things I do to keep it from getting stale...</p><p></p><p><strong>Obvious Chokepoints / Seal-offs:</strong> Basically, I telegraph when reinforcements are on their way, and usually I'm transparent about which direction they're coming from (except when I'm not!). Then I provide a map/scene where there are clear chokepoints or portcullises to close off or crumbling stone walls that a force spell might topple over, etc.</p><p></p><p><strong>New Monsters, Different Motives:</strong> Just because reinforcements have arrived, doesn't mean they're playing by the same league rules as the monsters calling for help. They may have completely different motivations, such as downing one PC and dragging them off to be eaten, or even betraying their former monster comrades.</p><p></p><p><strong>Parlay:</strong> Sentient monsters might send an agent to attempt a parlay with the PCs. Whether or not the offer is genuine, or a chance to trap the PCs / buy more time to flank them depends on the nature of the monsters in question.</p><p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: orange">I did this to great effect with a kobold messenger of a clan who the PCs were tearing thru. He offered a treasure sack to the paladin as restitution. It was a bag of devouring. Yes, the paladin reached inside.</span> <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /></p><p></p><p><strong>Scenarios Where Killing Monsters is a Waste of Time/Resources:</strong> I try mixing up my scenarios so the party's main goal is not to kill all the monsters, but to accomplish an objective that actually makes killing all the monsters somewhat undesirable. Time limits can work, but those also tend to encourage dungeon blitzes. Having the monster numbers be (effectively) unlimited is a great method, if you can foreshadow it well. Implementing monsters or a hazardous environment that take a toll on the PCs the longer they're exposed (e.g. disease, ability drain, fatigue) are a brutal but effective method.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Quickleaf, post: 6829157, member: 20323"] [MENTION=2067]I'm A Banana[/MENTION] I have noticed that getting swarmed by enemies happens a lot in my games. Then again, it always has, so I don't know how much is 5th edition and how much is me :) Though I can mention a couple things I do to keep it from getting stale... [B]Obvious Chokepoints / Seal-offs:[/B] Basically, I telegraph when reinforcements are on their way, and usually I'm transparent about which direction they're coming from (except when I'm not!). Then I provide a map/scene where there are clear chokepoints or portcullises to close off or crumbling stone walls that a force spell might topple over, etc. [B]New Monsters, Different Motives:[/B] Just because reinforcements have arrived, doesn't mean they're playing by the same league rules as the monsters calling for help. They may have completely different motivations, such as downing one PC and dragging them off to be eaten, or even betraying their former monster comrades. [B]Parlay:[/B] Sentient monsters might send an agent to attempt a parlay with the PCs. Whether or not the offer is genuine, or a chance to trap the PCs / buy more time to flank them depends on the nature of the monsters in question. [INDENT][color=orange]I did this to great effect with a kobold messenger of a clan who the PCs were tearing thru. He offered a treasure sack to the paladin as restitution. It was a bag of devouring. Yes, the paladin reached inside.[/color] ;)[/INDENT] [B]Scenarios Where Killing Monsters is a Waste of Time/Resources:[/B] I try mixing up my scenarios so the party's main goal is not to kill all the monsters, but to accomplish an objective that actually makes killing all the monsters somewhat undesirable. Time limits can work, but those also tend to encourage dungeon blitzes. Having the monster numbers be (effectively) unlimited is a great method, if you can foreshadow it well. Implementing monsters or a hazardous environment that take a toll on the PCs the longer they're exposed (e.g. disease, ability drain, fatigue) are a brutal but effective method. [/QUOTE]
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