Buck_
Explorer
I was thinking maybe giant crocodile (CR 5) instead of grells... maybe it is too strong? Along the death tyrant?
And I like the portal idea also.
D&D 5E End of Campaign Encounter (help!)
- Thread starter Buck_
- Start date
And I like the portal idea also.
jgsugden
Legend
If it is the culmination of a campaign, I'd give them an epic, evolving combat scenario.
1.) Allow them to find a once use item that allows the user, and their allies, to gain the benefits of a short rest when one PC uses an action to activate the item. This will "stretch" their capabilities for a longer scenario.
2.) The Clock - Give them a certain number of rounds to complete their task. A ticking clock makes things more intense. The number of rounds is something you'll need to figure out, but it should be enough for the Gauntlet and Defense steps below.
3.) The Gauntlet - They'll have to fight their way to the main goal, and do so through larger numbers of enemies. Give them the tools to block off pursuit so that they can "defeat" the enemy without fighting them all to the death.
4.) Defend the Gate - Once they fight through the Gauntlet, they'll be at the gate that they want to defend. They'll then switch from fighting through a Gauntlet to protection. Either they need to protect someone performing a ritual, or they need to protect an object from being manipulated. Either way, they have to keep enemies from being able to stop something, so they'll have to protect a location from waves of enemies.
5.) Endgame - The Creature Reaches the Gate Location and discovers it can't pass through. It tries and is weakened, bringing it down to a range where the PCs can fight it. As they fight it, it gets weaker and weaker, but it is incredibly strong. If the PCs die facing it (or retreat without killing it), they die knowing that the beast won't have the strength to try again for a long time. If they succeed, they get the victory. This allows you to create something they can actually fail without it ruining the campaign world.
In terms of what monsters to use - if this is the end, make callbacks where possible to developments along the way. Put foes in place that are vulnerable to the powers of the PCs (if they have a Dragonslayer sword, make sure there is a dragon).
I also usually include an option for one or more 'heroic sacrifices', where a PC can make the ultimate sacrifice to give their allies a better chance. This may be holding a pass until their allies can collapse the pass behind the PC, it could be using their life force to activate an item, it could be something else. The key is that it should not be required - it should be something they can decide to do to help, but is also something the group could decide not to allow one of their members to do (Mortal Sacrifice, or Leave no Man Behind?)
Finally - Look at any threads you still have open from the campaign relating to their prior adventures and look for a way to incorporate them into the end story.
1.) Allow them to find a once use item that allows the user, and their allies, to gain the benefits of a short rest when one PC uses an action to activate the item. This will "stretch" their capabilities for a longer scenario.
2.) The Clock - Give them a certain number of rounds to complete their task. A ticking clock makes things more intense. The number of rounds is something you'll need to figure out, but it should be enough for the Gauntlet and Defense steps below.
3.) The Gauntlet - They'll have to fight their way to the main goal, and do so through larger numbers of enemies. Give them the tools to block off pursuit so that they can "defeat" the enemy without fighting them all to the death.
4.) Defend the Gate - Once they fight through the Gauntlet, they'll be at the gate that they want to defend. They'll then switch from fighting through a Gauntlet to protection. Either they need to protect someone performing a ritual, or they need to protect an object from being manipulated. Either way, they have to keep enemies from being able to stop something, so they'll have to protect a location from waves of enemies.
5.) Endgame - The Creature Reaches the Gate Location and discovers it can't pass through. It tries and is weakened, bringing it down to a range where the PCs can fight it. As they fight it, it gets weaker and weaker, but it is incredibly strong. If the PCs die facing it (or retreat without killing it), they die knowing that the beast won't have the strength to try again for a long time. If they succeed, they get the victory. This allows you to create something they can actually fail without it ruining the campaign world.
In terms of what monsters to use - if this is the end, make callbacks where possible to developments along the way. Put foes in place that are vulnerable to the powers of the PCs (if they have a Dragonslayer sword, make sure there is a dragon).
I also usually include an option for one or more 'heroic sacrifices', where a PC can make the ultimate sacrifice to give their allies a better chance. This may be holding a pass until their allies can collapse the pass behind the PC, it could be using their life force to activate an item, it could be something else. The key is that it should not be required - it should be something they can decide to do to help, but is also something the group could decide not to allow one of their members to do (Mortal Sacrifice, or Leave no Man Behind?)
Finally - Look at any threads you still have open from the campaign relating to their prior adventures and look for a way to incorporate them into the end story.
Lidgar
Gongfarmer
Giant crocs it should be fine. Put it this way, I threw a demilich in his lair with 6 gargoyles at a 13th level party of 5 and they all (barely) survived.
Assume you would include a pool of water that the crocs could use to try and drown grappled PC’s?
Make the fight happen in their mind, in their home village. They need to find their alter ego and defeat them. Start the encounter as if nothing happened. They are in the home village as commoners and the powerful heroes return (their alter egos).They have the same stats and knowledge as the players. When it is done they found themselves in a cave with a hermit and his followers who are doing a ritual and they are about to sacrifice the players who has just awakened.
cmad1977
Hero
So I had a thoroughly enjoyable finale of my own using the final battle of Rise of Tiamat.
It kind of happened in 3-5 parts(memory a little foggy)
In brief: the party faced a”hard” encounter, had an obstacle or two, had a “deadly” encounter and then faced the 10 priests and the headpriest in their cathedral.
“By the book” the final encounter was a “medium” encounter but the scale of the cathedral made stopping the ritual difficult the groups success hinged largely upon timely application of the Haste spell in order to get places in time. They had 2 rounds before Tiamat came through the gate which would have been a TPK(despite her “weakened” state).
So a ritual or ceremony to interrupt is a pretty solid ending IMO.
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