D&D 5E (2014) Giving monsters more (unlimited?) reactions in one turn

[Horwath]

what about reactions?

I would say that you get 1 by default and you can spend an AP to get another.
some feats might give you free reaction or 2 reaction for 1 AP cost.

having 6 AP per turn might also make Haste scalable spell, by giving 1,2 or 3 AP to your turn.

 

[Clint_L]

Look at the marilith stat block. They have an ability called "reactive." It states (RAW) that the creature "can take one reaction on every turn in a combat."

I agree that this is the most elegant solution.

In the fiction, though, it makes sense because the marilith has all those arms, much like a hydra's heads. Your players won't be expecting it from a minotaur who, from what I gather, isn't even a BBEG, so I'm more interested in how you explain it in the story. It might come across as random and unfair. DM's fiat.

The other thing I might be cautious of, is if you give this to some random mob, then it kind of devalues the mobs where it makes more thematic sense, like the Hydra and Marilith. But I imagine you'll really set this guy up as something special.

 

[dave2008]

I would say that you get 1 by default and you can spend an AP to get another.
some feats might give you free reaction or 2 reaction for 1 AP cost.

having 6 AP per turn might also make Haste scalable spell, by giving 1,2 or 3 AP to your turn.

Why not just make a reaction cost 1? IMO, they should be looped in with the action economy. That is my issue with PF2. The have 3 actions + reactions which stand outside the action economy. IMO, either an action takes something (time, energy, resources, etc.) or it doesn't.

 

[Zaukrie]

I agree that this is the most elegant solution.

In the fiction, though, it makes sense because the marilith has all those arms, much like a hydra's heads. Your players won't be expecting it from a minotaur who, from what I gather, isn't even a BBEG, so I'm more interested in how you explain it in the story. It might come across as random and unfair. DM's fiat.

The other thing I might be cautious of, is if you give this to some random mob, then it kind of devalues the mobs where it makes more thematic sense, like the Hydra and Marilith. But I imagine you'll really set this guy up as something special.

The fiction is they are really good at fighting back? Everything is DM fiat to some degree. Solos should have plenty of things to do during a round, IMO.