D&D 5E Elder Brain Armor--Volo's Guide gap

[jaelis]

I would not interpret it as saying the enclosure is itself invulnerable. Just that you cannot attack the EB through the enclosure. So decide on how much damage must be dealt to the enclosure in order to break it.

Exactly, but I was hoping that their might be some precedent that could give me a reasonable number of HP the enclosure will have.

I would use as many HP as it takes to make the encounter memorable

 

[MNblockhead]

In my DMsGuild adventure (shameless plug: The Horror Under the Mountain), the Elder Brain made its pool in a pit. This allows it to close off the top with a wall of force.

No problem with the shameless plug...I'll check it out!

Since the wall of force can be sphere, not sure it needs to be in a pit, though it is a cool image.

 

[akr71]

As much as I like the wall of force explanation, it can't be what VGM is talking about.

Wall of force is an invisible wall of force.
VGM states the EB is protected by an "impenetrable layer of a glass-like substance"

A Wall of Force block anything physical from entering. It seems that lots of spells would still harm/control someone behind a wall of force: vicious mockery, dominate monster/person, etc...anything that doesn't involve anything physically passing through it.

The EB enclosure, however, "blocks all attacks, except for psionic abilities." An attack is anything that requires an attack roll, so any spell that doesn't involve an attack roll, should be able to work through the enclosure.

Perhaps I am just splitting hairs. I guess they are close enough.

It would seem that for both, a spell like "banishment" would work.

How about a "impenetrable layer of a glass-like substance" which for game-mechanics purposes has the properties of a wall of force. That way you have a physical barrier between the party and the EB, as per VGM and some rough rules for guidelines when they try to smash it.

 

[MNblockhead]

Screw concentration. Just macguffin it. Its a monster. It doesnt need to play by the same rules.

It can concentrate on Wall of Force and do other stuff because its an Illithid Elder Brain and its scary.

Sure, at times that is the best choice. But I do like to rules-lawyer a bit. Also, the concentration mechanic may help balance the encounter.

 

[MNblockhead]

I'd be inclined to have the situation where the Elder Brain's tank does indeed have impenetrable glass - so that archers cannot shoot it, for example - but that the impenetrable glass can be bypassed or destroyed. I mean, the moment you have a metal framework - something black and dripping with moisture - the players' eyes will light up, and they'll ask precisely how tough and well constructed the metal frame is...

Wall of Force will also prevent archers from hitting it. The more a war game this the more useful wall of force is and less necessary a material shell/armored dome seems necessary.

Now I'm just trying to make sure I understand how wall of force works. Seems like there are still lots of spells that can cause damage and bring battlefield contrl through a wall of force, so long as there require nothing physical to pass through it. For example: bane, banishment, blight? (though I'm inclined to rule that "necromatic energy" like any energy, is part of physical reality and therefore can't pass through the wall of force), calm emotions, command, compulsion, confusion, crown of madness, divine word, dominate monster, reduce, eyebite... and on and on...

 

[MNblockhead]

How about a "impenetrable layer of a glass-like substance" which for game-mechanics purposes has the properties of a wall of force. That way you have a physical barrier between the party and the EB, as per VGM and some rough rules for guidelines when they try to smash it.

I'm going with what Flamestrike suggested. The "impenetrable layer of a glass-like substance" is flavor text. Volo's experience of the Wall of Force.

I think with Wall of Force alone, I can build a challenging, but not unwinnable, and memorable encounter.

It also makes sense to me that a powerful psionic being like an Elder Brain would will a protective barrier in place, rather than have one constructed.

The room, building, complex may have all kinds of fortifications, but and EB is not going to want to be living in a glass jar.

 

[Demetrios1453]

I didn't read it that way, but rereading it, yeah, that makes sense.

It was always that way in previous editions (in fact, it was implied that all the tadpoles were in the brine pool previously); VGtM for some reason didn't make it too clear...

 

[MNblockhead]

It was always that way in previous editions (in fact, it was implied that all the tadpoles were in the brine pool previously); VGtM for some reason didn't make it too clear...

Perhaps folks in past editions questioned how tactically sound it was to have all tadpoles in the same location as the EB was. Having a number in separate pool makes sense.

Also, did neothelids exist in prior editions? That may be another reason to mention them being separate. Provide another a plausible way tadpoles could survive and a neothelid develop from amoung the abandoned survivers.

 

[Demetrios1453]

Perhaps folks in past editions questioned how tactically sound it was to have all tadpoles in the same location as the EB was. Having a number in separate pool makes sense.

Also, did neothelids exist in prior editions? That may be another reason to mention them being separate. Provide another a plausible way tadpoles could survive and a neothelid develop from amoung the abandoned survivers.

Yes, neothelids have been around since 3e at least.

 

[Ristamar]

Yes, neothelids have been around since 3e at least.

2e. They were in The Illithiad.

http://www.dmsguild.com/product/17448/Monstrous-Arcana-The-Illithiad-2e