Epic Encounters - The Dragon Flight (Crunch Edition)

[Kaodi]

First, a question:

In the scenario in which one were to be wrapping up a campaign with one final, badass rumble in the jungle, would throwing six CR 18 Dragons at a 20th level party of about standard size and strength be more quickly and efficiently resolved by just saying, " You all die now, " with pretty much no chance of being in error?

Just something I have been made to think of by the thread in the main forum about classic dragon encounters in D&D.

 

[paradox42]

A 20th level party of standard size should be capable of wiping the floor with a single CR 18 dragon, regardless of breed, and with little to no effort. I'd say the outcome of a fight with six such dragons is in doubt- the dragons might be able to pull off a win, but it'll be tough for them.

 

[Nightson]

I think the amount of forewarning would play a huge factor in such a fight. Dragons getting surprise and all using their breath weapon in the surprise round, then probably a party wipe. Party knows they'll fight the dragons and so tailor their spells to fight them, probably a cakewalk.

 

[Kaodi]

Well, I sort of think a scenario of mutual preparedness would be ideal.

The flight I am looking at statting out would consist of an ancient blue dragon, a copper wyrm, an old golden dragon, a very old red, a very old umbral dragon and a white great wyrm. Each is going to have some sort of role or theme as well, such as the gold dragon being more melee oriented with the likes of righteous might and divine power. Another will probably focus their spellcasting on summoning, another on battlefield control, and another on offensive spellcasting, maybe one on counterspelling, and at least one more mostly melee, with others filling melee duty when opportune.

The scenario I envision would probably have the PCs on a mountainside and able to see the dragons circling far overhead, giving them time to buff. Meanwhile, the dragons would also buff and then begin their assault by teleporting to the PCs.

 

[paradox42]

In that case I'd expect a fairly epic fight, and one the players will probably enjoy, but they'll wipe the floor with the dragons in the end. They may ask you when the next flight of dragons like that is coming if they really had fun.

But part of this also depends upon the PCs- "standard size and strength" means different things to different people. If they have any deficiencies, particularly in the way of magic, that will make the fight tougher for them- possibly (though not likely) unwinnable.

 

[Alan Shutko]

If they ask when the next flight is coming, you lay Cang the Implacable on the table.

It is well-known that any mini that the DM has painted has one extra hit die per day the DM spent painting the mini. So Cang has....