Can't decide on a boss-very odd situation

[Ziur]

Alright, so this session i'm running our game and i'm trying to make a boss for the group. It's a big group of about 7 (healing cleric, fighting cleric, rogue, sorcerer, ranger, fighter, and occasionally a few friends drop in and play their caster class. no cross-classes). A big problem this group has made is that the levels are severely off. The lowest being 3 and the highest being 9. One of the other DM's i know recommended something around lvl 12-14. I thought this guy would blow away the 3's in seconds so maybe that was too high. Another DM friend suggested something around lvl 8 with minions. This would be fine but the last boss around the same level went down before it could even blink because they were so many of them. Any ideas of what sort of combination i could use to balance a boss that wouldn't blow them away but still be a challenge?

My first idea was a cross-class boss (6 paladin/4 cleric) and like 4 or so lvl 4-5 minions. Any comments or suggestions would be great.

 

[Nifft]

Multi-class (fighter / caster) is a great idea. That way he's got staying power but not focus (because focus is what makes you deadly).

Multiple medium bosses are also a good idea -- you could even use a party of NPCs with roughly the same level layout, plus some disposable minions, because the bad guys are always supposed to be more numerous, so that the good guys look like underdogs at the start and heroes at the end.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Engilbrand]

Why is there such a disparity between levels? If there's a 6 level difference, something has gone horribly awry. A boss fight MIGHT work if you have low level mooks for the low level guys and a buffed up boss. Honestly, though, I would NOT want to play in a game where anyone was more than 1 level different from anyone else.

 

[Mark CMG]

Any comments or suggestions would be great.

Are the players of third level PCs lagging behind because they miss most of the games?

 

[Darklone]

I'd go for a military commander Ftr4/bard7 with Haste

Mucho levels, no deadliness... ah well, he's not to be underestimated. Give him about 20 level 2-4 fighters, ftr/rogs, clerics and some henchmen. Add three or four level 6 cohorts, depending on the PCs strength.

Put them into formation.
First row (one space empty between everyone): Fighters with tower shields, Shieldmate and Imp Shieldmate feat (MiniHB).
Second row: archer, longspear dude, archer, longspear dude, archer...
Third row: clerics and ftr/rogues with twohanded weapons (who can tumble ahead to flank)

You'll be surprised how effective such a formation can be... and how much fun for the PCs to put some fireballs in there