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Help making my players sweat? (My players, don't look!)
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<blockquote data-quote="Henry" data-source="post: 3104905" data-attributes="member: 158"><p>Yeah, that title ought to keep them out. <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/devious.png" class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":]" title="Devious :]" data-shortname=":]" /></p><p></p><p>I wasn't sure whether this belongs in rules or General, but given the pseudo-number-crunching involved, I figured here was better.</p><p></p><p>I'm trying to get an idea of the numbers to include for a penultimate battle this weekend: After fighting their way through a demon-fortress, the PCs are going to face off against an Ak'chazar Rekshasa (MM3, think of them as spellcasting necromantic Rekshasas with about 16HD and a CR 15) who is using an enormous Dragonshard called the Heart of Siberys to perform unspeakable evil. The goal: Free an imprisoned Rakshasa Rajah.</p><p></p><p></p><p>THe players' goal: kick much butt and stop the ritual, however possible.</p><p></p><p>My problem: I'm trying to set up an encounter that will be about an EL of +3 or +4 higher than the players and their allies. This is REALLY tricky because of the high levels involved.</p><p></p><p>The party consists of five level 15 PCs:</p><p></p><p>1 Cleric 5 / Exorcist of the Silver Flame 10 - shtick is spell support, and spells that do many nasty things to evil outsiders, hp high 90's, AC 22</p><p>1 Half-Dragon Monk 12 - shtick is massive unarmed damage and moderately powerful sonic breath weapon AC 31, hp low 100's</p><p>1 Half-elf Monk 15 - shtick is nigh-unkillable, and pretty decent damage in melee. AC 30 to 35 (expertise), hp mid 100's.</p><p>1 Changeling Artificer 10 - shtick is ungodly amounts of magical items, AC 35, hp high 90's.</p><p>1 Ratling Ninja 13 / Shadowdancer 2 - shtick is unaparalleled stealth and sneak attacking flat-footed foes. AC 33, hp low 100's.</p><p></p><p>When prepared (as they will be for this battle), the monks are usually equipped via Artificer infusions with both Vorpal and Wounding enchantments on their hands. (thanks to a feat, their attacks can do slashing) The artificer can cast a number of spells from Staff or scroll of 7th to 9th level power, and uses spells from the Spell Compendium frequently, including frequently going around with superior invisibility in major conflicts. </p><p></p><p></p><p>For the final battle, a Young Adult Gold Dragon (CR 14), a level 5 cleric (performs party buffs and hangs back), a Couatl (Cr 9) and 6 level 7 warforged fighters will be joining them.</p><p></p><p></p><p> I already know I want to include a Marilith Demon & an Akchazar Rakshasa. However, previously, what I thought was a decently tough encounter, one meant to make them nervous but still easy enough to beat, they blew off with ease (1 Marilith, 1 Deathshrieker, and 3 Rakshasa Fighters called Zakya Rakshasa). That was roughly an EL 17 or 18 encounter, and they demolished it.</p><p></p><p>My problem: Using the Marilith and Akchazar as a base, I'd like to bulk up the ranks sufficiently to give them a really nervous time - one where the outcome is in doubt. Hell, if one or two of them die in this battle, even all of them, it's fine with me. However, I still want it to be winnable, and not an absolute deathtrap. So, no half-dozen Balors or anything like that. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> However, I royally SUCK at figuring Encounter Levels of wildly mixed groups, and am hoping any gamers who love to play with EL figures may be able to help.</p><p></p><p>This is a final encounter, one that will finish the campaign, and I want it to be memorable. The monsters I have to work with, include any manner of Demon from Vrock to Marilith (I'm thinking Balors are wayyy too tough, even with their resources), any undead (the Akchazar is a necromancer, with 12th level sorcerer casting, with Greater Create Undead and powerful rebuking abilities) and any Rakshsas (regular, Akchazar, Naztharune, Zakya).</p><p></p><p>I'm willing to take any suggestions of power, and any creative ideas someone may have to donate. Any additional info needed, I'm glad to provide; I don't have access to character sheets at the moment, but I have a fairly large amount of info on them memorized. I also know this is a heck of a lot of variables, and I don't expect perfect advice, but mainly this is as much for the number crunching fun as anything else. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /></p><p></p><p>Thank you to all in advance!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Henry, post: 3104905, member: 158"] Yeah, that title ought to keep them out. :] I wasn't sure whether this belongs in rules or General, but given the pseudo-number-crunching involved, I figured here was better. I'm trying to get an idea of the numbers to include for a penultimate battle this weekend: After fighting their way through a demon-fortress, the PCs are going to face off against an Ak'chazar Rekshasa (MM3, think of them as spellcasting necromantic Rekshasas with about 16HD and a CR 15) who is using an enormous Dragonshard called the Heart of Siberys to perform unspeakable evil. The goal: Free an imprisoned Rakshasa Rajah. THe players' goal: kick much butt and stop the ritual, however possible. My problem: I'm trying to set up an encounter that will be about an EL of +3 or +4 higher than the players and their allies. This is REALLY tricky because of the high levels involved. The party consists of five level 15 PCs: 1 Cleric 5 / Exorcist of the Silver Flame 10 - shtick is spell support, and spells that do many nasty things to evil outsiders, hp high 90's, AC 22 1 Half-Dragon Monk 12 - shtick is massive unarmed damage and moderately powerful sonic breath weapon AC 31, hp low 100's 1 Half-elf Monk 15 - shtick is nigh-unkillable, and pretty decent damage in melee. AC 30 to 35 (expertise), hp mid 100's. 1 Changeling Artificer 10 - shtick is ungodly amounts of magical items, AC 35, hp high 90's. 1 Ratling Ninja 13 / Shadowdancer 2 - shtick is unaparalleled stealth and sneak attacking flat-footed foes. AC 33, hp low 100's. When prepared (as they will be for this battle), the monks are usually equipped via Artificer infusions with both Vorpal and Wounding enchantments on their hands. (thanks to a feat, their attacks can do slashing) The artificer can cast a number of spells from Staff or scroll of 7th to 9th level power, and uses spells from the Spell Compendium frequently, including frequently going around with superior invisibility in major conflicts. For the final battle, a Young Adult Gold Dragon (CR 14), a level 5 cleric (performs party buffs and hangs back), a Couatl (Cr 9) and 6 level 7 warforged fighters will be joining them. I already know I want to include a Marilith Demon & an Akchazar Rakshasa. However, previously, what I thought was a decently tough encounter, one meant to make them nervous but still easy enough to beat, they blew off with ease (1 Marilith, 1 Deathshrieker, and 3 Rakshasa Fighters called Zakya Rakshasa). That was roughly an EL 17 or 18 encounter, and they demolished it. My problem: Using the Marilith and Akchazar as a base, I'd like to bulk up the ranks sufficiently to give them a really nervous time - one where the outcome is in doubt. Hell, if one or two of them die in this battle, even all of them, it's fine with me. However, I still want it to be winnable, and not an absolute deathtrap. So, no half-dozen Balors or anything like that. :) However, I royally SUCK at figuring Encounter Levels of wildly mixed groups, and am hoping any gamers who love to play with EL figures may be able to help. This is a final encounter, one that will finish the campaign, and I want it to be memorable. The monsters I have to work with, include any manner of Demon from Vrock to Marilith (I'm thinking Balors are wayyy too tough, even with their resources), any undead (the Akchazar is a necromancer, with 12th level sorcerer casting, with Greater Create Undead and powerful rebuking abilities) and any Rakshsas (regular, Akchazar, Naztharune, Zakya). I'm willing to take any suggestions of power, and any creative ideas someone may have to donate. Any additional info needed, I'm glad to provide; I don't have access to character sheets at the moment, but I have a fairly large amount of info on them memorized. I also know this is a heck of a lot of variables, and I don't expect perfect advice, but mainly this is as much for the number crunching fun as anything else. :D Thank you to all in advance! [/QUOTE]
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