Five NPC 'monsters'

[fissionessence]

I posted this a few days ago, but didn't get any replies. I think my really long-winded post may be to blame for that, so I'll keep this one short.

Here is a band of NPC adventurers my players will be pitted against. Feel free to comment on the balance/difficulty of the encounter, suggest possible terrain for the encounter, and share any suggestions on what the NPCs' personalities may be like! They all have Magic: the Gathering color alignments.

Gnara - Gnoll Warden [Green/Blue]
Nova - avian Anumus (bird-headed) Cleric [Red/White]
Skinny Steve - Obitu (skeleton) Avenger [White/Black]
Vesterban - Entobian (insectoid) wild mage Sorcerer [Blue/Red]
Zirfein - Golgari Elf (drow) Druid [Black/Green]

(click on their names for stat blocks)

~

 

[Paul Strack]

I assume this is a 5th level encounter? It doesn't seem too bad to me. It's probably more difficult than a normal 5th level encounter, maybe more like level 5.5, but perfectly doable. My experience with using NPCs is that the often go down before they get to use all their powers, so they aren't much stronger than normal monsters, despite what they look like on paper.

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

Yeah, I don't see any major problems. I think it will be a pretty fast encounter. These guys are going to nova out their long range powers and once the party closes in they'll be cut down pretty quick.

I think the key for them to win would be keeping open the range long enough for their AoE powers to recharge. If a couple of them can get off 2 or 3 shots with those it might go badly for the PCs. Against a really strong range attack party though, they're probably out of options. Trading range attacks with a couple of good Archers for example can't go in the NPCs favor when you consider healing. Some parties will probably win easily, other more close combat parties maybe not.