Agreed on all points! Off turn Actions that are simple but impactful reallychange a solo fight from an HP meat grinder into an engaging fight with tactical depth that is easy to grasp yet satisfying to grapple with.
So, what are some critters you’re looking to upgrade? I don’t have the PF2 core book, my buddy does, so I don’t have any statblocks on hand today, but I can do this all day.
Well my first encounter is with a Lizardfolk Tribal leader who has taken over the crypt of one of his long dead ancestors and is claiming to be him reborn. I've originally gone with an Elite Lizardfolk defender with two pet Grauladons and a couple of standard lizardfolk defenders. The party is 6 second level characters, and I want to make this a severe encounter so I've 3 creatures of second level (total 120xp) and two of first (60xp) which tallies with the guidelines for a severe encounter, however I'd like to lose the standard Lizardfold defenders and make the boss more interesting.
The terrain they are fighting in a ruined and partially collapsed crypt, pools of water are dotted around the floor as the elements from above have seeped in, also there is piles of rubble and mud.
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ELITE
LIZARDFOLK DEFENDER CREATURE 2
N MEDIUM HUMANOID LIZARDFOLK
Perception +9
Languages Draconic, Iruxi
Skills Acrobatics +7, Athletics +8, Survival +7
Str +3, Dex +2, Con +3, Int –1, Wis +2, Cha +0
Items flail, javelin (3), wooden shield (Hardness 3, HP 12, BT 6)
AC 18 (20 with shield raised); Fort +10, Ref +9, Will +7
HP 31
Attack of Opportunity
Shield Block
Speed 25 feet, swim 15 feet
Melee flail +10 (disarm, sweep, trip), Damage 1d6+5 bludgeoning
Melee jaws +10, Damage 1d6+5 piercing
Melee tail +10 (agile), Damage 1d4+5 bludgeoning
Ranged javelin +9 (thrown 30 feet), Damage 1d6+5 piercing
Deep Breath A lizardfolk defender can hold their breath for 175 rounds (17-1/2 minutes).
Terrain Advantage Non-lizardfolk creatures in difficult terrain and non-lizardfolk creatures that are in water and lack a swim Speed are flat-footed to the lizardfolk defender.
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