D&D 5E (2024) Hardcore Mode Thoughts?

[Maxperson]

Instead of life drain they inflict levels of exhaustion.

Variants of them instead drain the weave. Basically they absorb magic and eat the highest level spell slot.

Or do both at once. They drain slots unless the victim has no slots, then they find out that the reason magic works on everyone, is everyone is connected to the weave(which is also life) and it drains their endurance(exhaustion levels) through that connection.

 

[Scott Christian]

Instead of life drain they inflict levels of exhaustion.

Variants of them instead drain the weave. Basically they absorb magic and eat the highest level spell slot.

Just as a point of caution, and because I did not see it in there, please make sure to use saving throws before this happens. It is what D&D combat is built around.

Also, depending on the length of your campaign, I would caution you to use such a small glass for a campaign that might go one or two years. For some players, there needs to be more in order for them to feel their feet in this alternate fantasy world.

 

[Zardnaar]

Just as a point of caution, and because I did not see it in there, please make sure to use saving throws before this happens. It is what D&D combat is built around.

Also, depending on the length of your campaign, I would caution you to use such a small glass for a campaign that might go one or two years. For some players, there needs to be more in order for them to feel their feet in this alternate fantasy world.

Life drain doesn't have a save. I used no saves and it was an oly combat of the day a :random " encounter.

 

[Zardnaar]

Or do both at once. They drain slots unless the victim has no slots, then they find out that the reason magic works on everyone, is everyone is connected to the weave(which is also life) and it drains their endurance(exhaustion levels) through that connection.

Hmmmn not a bas idea saves effort.

 

[dave2008]

So new campaign is using dead magic and wild magic. So far they've encountered 2 "shadow storms" which are essentially mobile wild magic zones of shadow. Theyre lvl 3.

Big bads are Shar aligned. Im wanting to focus on less combat so im thinking of hitting the PCs where it hurts. Bringing back needed drain on monsters such as Wraiths,Shadows and spectrum.

Instead of life drain they inflict levels of exhaustion.

Variants of them instead drain the weave. Basically they absorb magic and eat the highest level spell slot.

I usually do 3-5 encounters but RAW at level 11+ it was creeping up to around 8-10 some days. Took 3 sessions to play that out.

So thoughts on these variant undead with Shar shadow weave users as other villains?

My thoughts:

This doesn't look like hardcore mode to me.

My suggestion:

Revise the OP title.

 

[Zardnaar]

My thoughts:

This doesn't look like hardcore mode to me.

My suggestion:

Revise the OP title.

Combine with dead magic zones then