Daggerheart General Thread [+]

[doctorbadwolf]

I suspect I’ll eventually end up running solos with more actions and passive control features akin to 5e lair actions and hazards.

Boss battles should have mechanics beyond the direct abilities of the boss, like in a lot of video games.


Daggerheart is pretty easy to understand by reading, but I may be up being wrong after playing more.

But as of right now I really feel like solos could use a rebuild.

 

[dbm]

The environments rules seem to be a good tool for those kinds of ideas

 

[zakael19]

The environments rules seem to be a good tool for those kinds of ideas

was in the middle of posting this and was like “I should scroll down a tad” lol.

 

[Reynard]

The big problem with solos are that are mis-named. If they were called "bosses" they wouldn't feel so much like failed design (because bosses always have lieutenants and minions around).

 

[zakael19]

The big problem with solos are that are mis-named. If they were called "bosses" they wouldn't feel so much like failed design (because bosses always have lieutenants and minions around).

As written, are they mostly closer to 4e elites?

 

[Arilyn]

Yes, Solos are misnamed. They are not worth enough points to ever be alone.

 

[zakael19]

Cool. So Solos are the “big damage” elite that you need to double up to really be a solo encounter (either hiding as a multi-phase or multi-scary enemy thing a la Dark Souls et al), and Leaders are the “beefy but minion reliant” elite.

Thinking about some dramatic encounters then like entering part of a bandit hideout with just a couple of guards there (standards or skulks maybe), and them frantically calling out some name and Bam Cave Ogre through the wall and stuff.

 

[Reynard]

As written, are they mostly closer to 4e elites?

Yes, Solos are misnamed. They are not worth enough points to ever be alone.

Cool. So Solos are the “big damage” elite that you need to double up to really be a solo encounter (either hiding as a multi-phase or multi-scary enemy thing a la Dark Souls et al), and Leaders are the “beefy but minion reliant” elite.

Thinking about some dramatic encounters then like entering part of a bandit hideout with just a couple of guards there (standards or skulks maybe), and them frantically calling out some name and Bam Cave Ogre through the wall and stuff.

I am legitimately surprised they did no build in solos as phased bosses in the game as core. It seems obvious, especially when you consider the colossus design.

 

[Vael]

I am legitimately surprised they did no build in solos as phased bosses in the game as core. It seems obvious, especially when you consider the colossus design.

There are. The Fallen Warlord and Volcanic Dragon in Tier 4 are phased creatures. The Volcanic Dragon has three phases, it starts as Obsidian Predator, then Molten Scourge and finally Ashen Tyrant.

Whether these can actually hang as legit Solo encounters is another question.

 

[zakael19]

There are. The Fallen Warlord and Volcanic Dragon in Tier 4 are phased creatures. The Volcanic Dragon has three phases, it starts as Obsidian Predator, then Molten Scourge and finally Ashen Tyrant.

Whether these can actually hang as legit Solo encounters is another question.

Yeah, the encounter building guy’s advice was to run solos like that. Even just a second instance of the same Solo with a tweaked ability and some fiction.

Solos are… 5pts, -2 to the total budget if you’re using 2 or more solos. For 4 PCs, 3x4+2 =14, 12 if doubling up solos.. add the static +2 damage and hypothetically a 2 phase solo is an encounter. Gotta 3 phase them for 5 though..