D&D 5E GM Adjudicating assistance please

[ElterAgo]

Thanks folks. You have given me some good ideas to consider.

... but it's generally wise to tread carefully when going after PCs' magic items. A treasured magic item can become part of a character concept, and make people very salty when they lose it.

Oh absolutely. This is more in the nature of putting a scare into them. They should be able to easily go around this encounter. Of course if they choose to go in, that risk is on them.

 

[aco175]

Attacking with the pincer staff could go 2 ways. Either give the attacker disadvantage and make it auto grapple on a hit or allow a save to see if grappled. Saves tend to favor the PCs I think. I think the kua-toa description just has a hit as auto grapple, which is fine since the PCs tend to have enough to kill the grappler or break free.

Harpoons could go the same way with extra damage each round you are grappled.