Help Our DM has gone Rat Bastard on us

[fafhrd]

The real question for the DM is: should I allow the characters to gain a level mid-combat?

I'd be more in favor of toning down the opposition. Are there any eyes the beholder hasn't yet used? If so you might have it so that they're damaged and don't function. Could you slow the arrival of the other bad guys by another round or two?

Leveling your PCs is a little odd. Aside from the sorceror they wouldn't be able to take advantage of any new spells.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Get out of the cone, hammer the beholder. Quit wailing on the drow - as a group they're tougher than the beholder is, and less dangerous.

 

[JoeBlank]

The kooky kind who likes to have maximum suspense to start the next session (plus people had to leave ... it was either break mid-combat or finish with half the party).

I had no problem with this at the time, as circumstances required it, but now I am thrilled with it. I did this a little while back in my own game, although somewhat unintentionally. For those familiar, the module was Morrick Mansion. We were playing online late at night, and were in the middle of a fight with gargoyles outside the mansion's entrance. One player needed to leave the game, and the others agreed we would stop as soon as they got inside. One PC entered through a window, and was instantly attacked by two wood statues. As agreed, we stopped with them inside, with the fight continuing against the statues the next session.

Besides, stopping in the middle of such a significant combat has made for a great cliffhanger, and has allowed for the fun thread.

The real question for the DM is: should I allow the characters to gain a level mid-combat?

As one of the few not on the verge of gaining a level, I hesitate to respond here. Seems like leveling will not have that big of an effect on the combat. No one would be able to use new spell slots, as none of them are spontaneous casters. If anyone is about to gain a feat, I doubt they would choose anything to specifically help with this fight.

I'm more responding to fafhrd's suggestion that you tone down the opposition. Please don't. It is not as if we are in way over our heads and the DM has to do something to avoid a TPK. Particularly given the fact that the DM is allowing us to strategize and even take suggestions from the minds of ENW, the party should survive the encounter. Casualties are possible, and my PC is a very likely target, but that is part of the game.

If we succeed, I want to know that it is because we came up with an excellent plan, or even because we got lucky, but I certainly don't want to feel like our success was due to DM-vine intervention.

Also, thanks to everyone who has responded to this thread, I am enjoying the suggestions and appreciate the help.

 

[diaglo]

The real question for the DM is: should I allow the characters to gain a level mid-combat?

as one of kooky players who believe in save or die spells. i won't be taking my level even if it is offered mid-combat.

i'd prefer to take it after i've had some time to reflect on my growing experiences. it was only 12 days ago i gained my last level.

should I relent and just give it to them?

the only real detriment i see to levelling really is the HEro Points.

Olgar Shiverstone gives out 1 Hero Pt per level. which is basically a needed success roll on something or failure on part of your enemy.


i'm more than happy to see where the dice fall.

i was just looking for some suggestions so i don't over metagame.

i mean the reason i didn't charge the beholder at the start of round 4 while we were playing... was due to not having seen it. so i moved forward to a position i could see and lauched my dagger.

but now having time to think about it... i'm wondering if fiddle wouldn't charge. he is a kender. and the only pure meat shield in the group.

 

[Berandor]

but now having time to think about it... i'm wondering if fiddle wouldn't charge. he is a kender. and the only pure meat shield in the group.

At least it'd make for a good FLGS story:
"And then Fiddle charged the beholder!"
"Cool. And what character did you play next?"

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

I'm more responding to fafhrd's suggestion that you tone down the opposition. Please don't. It is not as if we are in way over our heads and the DM has to do something to avoid a TPK. Particularly given the fact that the DM is allowing us to strategize and even take suggestions from the minds of ENW, the party should survive the encounter. Casualties are possible, and my PC is a very likely target, but that is part of the game.

Don't worry -- the stats are already rolled, and the CR is tough but manageable. I'm not toning down the monster.

Now, I haven't decided precisely how rat bastard I want to get with tactics. I know I could probably pull off a TPK if I pushed hard, but that really isn't the point. The monster should fight tough and appropriate to its abilities, but may not always choose the perfect tactics. The reinforcements, now ... well, the party doesn't really know what's going on in the other chamber, and what the relationship of those critters is to the ones they are fighting, do they?

Sometimes, the better part of valor ...

 

[greymist]

Don't level the PCs mid-combat. Too hard to justify it in game terms.

As for tactics, if I was playing, I would have Fiddle charge into melee, Darian should ready a spell (to go off when he can see the beholder), and Alya should move around the lake and shoot at the beholder.

The rest of the party will have to wait and see what happens on the beholder's round. Someone needs to light a torch and throw it behind the beholder.

I don't think this is a TPK for sure....

 

[argo]

Personally I don't have any problem with leveling PC's mid-cobat, espically if it is a really dramatic or important fight. But then again I watch a lot of anime so ...

Anyway I like the idea of somebody grappling the beholder to set him up for sneak attacks, its gutsy. Baring that I say everybody step up and go for maximum HP damage, see if you can't pop that eye tyrants bubble in under two rounds. I don't think that tricks will save you but maximum agression just might carry the day, maybe. But first somebody needs to bust out one of those sunrods (see, this is why I never trust magical light sources to begin with).

Later.

 

[diaglo]

new question then...

can a Small character fit underneath a Large monster and still attack?

 

[howandwhy99]

can a Small character fit underneath a Large monster and still attack?

I believe creatures two or more size categories apart can fight normally and occupy the same square. The tough part is, I can't find the quote to back me up in the SRD.

Entering occupied squares still incure attacks of opportunity normally. And I would think DC25 tumble check to avoid.