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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ichneumon" data-source="post: 6247948" data-attributes="member: 98772">I thumbed through the latest bestiary, and can't agree that it's as riddled with instant-death beasties as implied. The playtests have been directed at experienced players and DMs, who could be expected to treat instant death monsters judiciously. I fully expect proper caveats to be given in the released product.First, there are three monsters that petrify: the basilisk, cockatrice, and medusa. Two grant an easy method to avoid their attack (which even novice players have a fair chance of guessing), They all need an afflicted PC to fail two low-DC saves, and all have low ACs (10-12) so killing them isn't a problem. While a PC may be unlucky in battle against these, the odds are actually in favour of them remaining unscathed.Four other monsters are capable of killing a PC instantly: the beholder, the death knight (with a life-stealer), the mind flayer, and Asmodeus. Three of these are formidable opponents for mid-high level PCs, so are unlikely to be foisted on novice players. Asmodeus is, of course, the strongest monster in the bestiary. The beholder needs to lower a PC to 40hp before using the death ray, which will take a round or two of fighting (at least). The mind flayer needs to grapple its opponent first. The death knight wielding a life-stealer can kill a full-hp PC with an attack - about the only monster in the bestiary that can do so - but it has to be in melee range.So, not counting Asmodeus, there are six monsters that might insta-kill your PC - not that many, really - and all of them have simple ways to counter their attack, or have to earn their chance to use their power in battle.</blockquote>

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