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Message: <blockquote data-quote="scipio" data-source="post: 2148701" data-attributes="member: 16382">What are your stories for great player surprises that turn your plans on their head, to the enjoyment of all?A while back, I asked in the forums if a CR20 dragon would TPK my group - 5 11th level characters - if accompanied by several soldiers while the dragon faced limitations due to confinement within a tight space (half the attacks, no flight, etc).  The answer was yes, they would all die horrible deaths.Well almost.  My group really surprised me last night.  I expected it to go poorly, but they knew they were going into a bad situation (flaming creatures, evil warriors, but no hint of a dragon).  So the party cleric cast hero's feast, feeding the party and their soldier allies (no fear effects in addition to the other nice bonuses).  They managed to get past the efreeti minions and the dragon's human allies.  She then toyed with them in her elf form for a while (long story), before the startling reveal - an old red dragon.She was run well (I think) - one party member was snatched up in her mouth, and killed via much bite damage.  She snatched another and threw him into the party sorceror for some excellent damage to both.  She breathed, but the whole group was draped in fire resistance.  I even remembered to power attack (most of the time).  No BADD story here.The group neutralized spellcasting via a silence on a party member.  The soldier allies made the party tank effective by "aiding another."  They also made headway by trying to bring down the building on her.  Overall, there was very effective party strategy.  Of course, the real shocker was when the cleric found the powerful artifact she was using to destroy cities (long story), and planeshifted away - never thought that player would prepare that spell.  The dragon, seeing her plans slip through her fingers, tried to kill everyone by bringing down the building herself.  Everyone managed to get away, including old red (one day she may get the chance to fight on the wing - when the group is ready that is).</blockquote>

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