I've also run wave undead areas where any creature that dies rises on its initiative the next round as a zombie (including dead PCs, but not dead zombies). So, the encounter is self regulating with regard to the wave. Plus, it allows for monster zombies and minimizes how strong Turn Undead can be. But, I have not yet done this in 5E.
D&D 5E Enemies in waves
- Thread starter Mouseferatu
- Start date
Bupp
Adventurer
I did this in the Caves of Chaos. Several of the fights went this way, actually. Once combat was entered, the foes would raise the alarm, and I'd have occupants of other rooms arrive every round or two. I usually judged it on how the fight was going for the party, trying to keep things tense, but not overwhelming.
Mouseferatu
Hero
I'm expecting precisely this. In fact, looking at the CoC encounters--hmm; that's unfortunate
--I honestly feel like the first four caves are likely to end up as one single, prolonged/wave encounter each.BTW, is anyone else bothered by the fact that the area given for the ravine isn't enough land to support a single good-sized tribe, let alone six or seven?
Rhenny
Adventurer
Often I string together encounters so it turns into 2 or 3 adds/waves. It is very exciting when the waves overlap and come from different directions.
In one of my last sessions the party (5 fifth level pcs) fought 18 orcs and then took arrow fire from 4 more hiding around a corner. When the party went to engage the archers, 4 more foot soldiers came at them from behind so they were fighting 2 fronts, north and south. Then, a few rounds later, an Orc shaman and an Ettin entered the fray. It was awesome.
In one of my last sessions the party (5 fifth level pcs) fought 18 orcs and then took arrow fire from 4 more hiding around a corner. When the party went to engage the archers, 4 more foot soldiers came at them from behind so they were fighting 2 fronts, north and south. Then, a few rounds later, an Orc shaman and an Ettin entered the fray. It was awesome.
