Can a dozen orcs challenge a 17th level party?

[Numion]

I'm really sorry about this. I generally read and follow instructions well. Why? Why are you doing this? What purpose does it serve?

-Shay

Some players will enjoy the chance to lord over lesser NPCs with their gained power. If the opposition constantly levels with the PCs, there might be Diablo-like speed blindness. Encountering a couple of 'normal' world encounters ever now and then will remind the PCs of their deserved powers.

 

[Enamel_32]

I'd throw as many orcs as I could at them, but that's just because I liked the burly brawl scene in the matrix.

 

[Evilhalfling]

start with a suprise round.
Divide the orcs into as many teams as you have PCs - 3 archer teams, all in different directions, the rest with great axes, charging from at least 2 directions - arrows fall from 190' away. While orcs rush in with great axes, they wont even get to attack, but apparently orcs always have greataxes. Have a 3rd lvl cleric cast a silence on one of the orcs, or on 2-3 arrows.

This is normally the sort of thing I handwave away as well. I had a 12th level group get jumped by human bandits. "You are ambushed by thirty bandits, what do you do with the ones that surrendred or that tried to run away?"

 

[Agback]

I'm trying to design an encounter where twelve orcs straight from the MM (that is, 1HD), attack a party of 17th level characters. (Don't ask why.)

I know the party is going to mop the floor with the orcs, but that's okay. I just want the orcs to live for at least a round so every PC can act at least once.

PC party crossing a bridge are ambushed by orcs armed with bows, shooting from arrow-slits or crenels.

 

[Numion]

PC party crossing a bridge are ambushed by orcs armed with bows, shooting from arrow-slits or crenels.

This of course begs the question "what is a 17th level group doing on a bridge?"

 

[Mystery Man]

I'm trying to design an encounter where twelve orcs straight from the MM (that is, 1HD), attack a party of 17th level characters. (Don't ask why.)

I know the party is going to mop the floor with the orcs, but that's okay. I just want the orcs to live for at least a round so every PC can act at least once. Ideally, the orcs would get to act as well (although they are going to be ineffective).

But some spells like Holy Word will end the orcs day flat. Any orcs within 40' simply die.

I'm willing to give the orcs a slightly higher level leader (like say 3rd) and maybe a 1st level shaman or something. But they should be built like a party that you might encounter at lower levels.

Hi Maggot,

You're wasting your time. A 17th level party could stand there and laugh at the party of orcs you described for dozens of rounds even if they did get a lucky shot in every now and then. Then in one round wipe them out.

 

[Wild Gazebo]

Superior terrain
Height advantage, with escape tunnels, with planned traps
Desicive tactics
Hit and run, hide, hit and run, hide
Well equiped
Poison, poison, and more poison, tanglefoot bags, thunderstones, ranged weapons (hopefully with strength modifiers)


Of course there is always roleplaying the group into precarious situations...like framing them for crimes, blackmailing, extortion....ect

 

[Mystery Man]

Superior terrain
Height advantage, with escape tunnels, with planned traps
Desicive tactics
Hit and run, hide, hit and run, hide
Well equiped
Poison, poison, and more poison, tanglefoot bags, thunderstones, ranged weapons (hopefully with strength modifiers)

And a 17th level party will make them disappear in a puff of blood and smoke.

 

[Wycen]

Without circumstance modifiers, how are these 0th/1st level orcs going to hit character equiped as 17th level characters? But on to some suggestions.

Have the orcs use poisoned weapons.

Attack from higher ground.

Give all the orcs maximum hit points.

Use cover and concealment if possible.

One scroll of Bless will improve attack bonus for these orcs.

 

[Klaus]

Some players will enjoy the chance to lord over lesser NPCs with their gained power. If the opposition constantly levels with the PCs, there might be Diablo-like speed blindness. Encountering a couple of 'normal' world encounters ever now and then will remind the PCs of their deserved powers.

Quoted for Truth.