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Message: <blockquote data-quote="(Psi)SeveredHead" data-source="post: 2936490" data-attributes="member: 1165">It gets a bit unrealistic facing a new MBEG every combat. But, probably more important, it's so the GM doesn't have to redesign a new MBEG for every combat.PCs can easily figure out who the MBEG in a fight is, especially if he opens his mouth. When the MBEG flees and assuming they're not using teleportation-style magic, they all attack him preferably to other targets. Ranged attackers will switch to target him. Any melee attacker who can get at him without drawing AoOs will.Frequently, because the MBEG is the toughest or highest level opponent there, there won't be a screen of minions between them by the time they have to flee. Sometimes the PCs and NPCs "attrit" each other (is that a real word?), and then in round four, three quarters of the minions are killed in various ways by PCs with depleted hit points. By the time the MBEG's turn comes up, he has no screen left, and he's facing four or so (wounded) PCs. If he runs, he gets cut down by arrow or Fireball, as it's four against one target (even if there's a couple of minions alive). If he stays back to cast a spell or something, he kills a PC and then gets cut down.And using a lot of minion is taxing on gaming time, especially the GM's time. IME running a bunch of low-level wimps who can't hit, but each gets a move and attack action, takes way too much time. Players sit there bored as you describe what they're doing.DnD screws light fighters. That just results in minions dying faster, and probably the MBEG as well.I like this idea. However, the Lt. becomes the MBEG for that encounter, he's not going to survive, and the villain now needs a new Lt. Since the villain was powerful, one wonders why he didn't stick around, at least until things get dangerous.My former Eberron DM used to throw three or so villains at us. While one would be the "leader" (being smarter and maybe more charismatic than the rest), all three are roughly equal-levelled threats, or at least their levels are close. As a result, it suddenly becomes difficult for the PCs to know who to target. Are you going to go after the sorcerer who has been casting death magic the whole battle when the evil barbarian is chopping you to bits? Probably not, even if the sorcerer is obviously "the leader".This means more work in the beginning (coming up with three named villains rather than one), but less work in the long run (since one or two are likely to escape).I think most DMs wouldn't follow this advice because it's less fun for them. What's the point of making the MBEG a spellcaster if he's only casting a single spell?I love this advice! I usually used hit point and # of living minions, but I don't really think that would work work. This is probably much better. I'll try it next session.You need to be within 30 feet of the door <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />That doesn't work too well if the MBEG is a heavy fighter, however.</blockquote>

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