D&D 5E (2024) High Level 5.5E: Building Encounter Chains

[Zardnaar]

?

5 minute work day. Basically 1-2 encounters.

If PCs have access to non core spell enemies need them as well. Absorb elements and silvery barbs come to mind.

 

[Reynard]

5 minute work day. Basically 1-2 encounters.

Right. Silly of me.

If PCs have access to non core spell enemies neeed them as well. Absorb elements and silvery barbs come to mind.

This campaign is almost entirely 5.5E core book material only for the players. The whole point was to test 5.5 over the full level range, so we have been fast leveling throughout -- which is another reason I have not really mastered the attrition model despite playing for almost a year. it has been mostly set pieces throughout except for a couple more traditional dungeons during tier 1 and early tier 2.

 

[Zardnaar]

Right. Silly of me.

This campaign is almost entirely 5.5E core book material only for the players. The whole point was to test 5.5 over the full level range, so we have been fast leveling throughout -- which is another reason I have not really mastered the attrition model despite playing for almost a year. it has been mostly set pieces throughout except for a couple more traditional dungeons during tier 1 and early tier 2.

Ok 5.6 exclusive monsters are a lot tougher than updated 5.0 critters.

I used CR 4 mafen the other day they had AC 20.

Performers. Cultists, assassins all hit really hard.

Archmage is only CR12 so you can probably cram in lots of friends.

Whats your party composition?

 

[UngainlyTitan]

As I asked before, how does limiting it to only Hard encounters affect that number, if at all?

Obviously, most people don't run high level games, so I am probably wishing in the wind here.

I have not run high level 5.5 but I have found that at the levels you are talking about the party can manage 3 deadly encounters under the old 5.0 version, but what I also found what made an encounter tough was very dependent on the party composition.
Parties that deal straight damage are easier to design encounters for than parties that focus on control.

 

[Reynard]

Whats your party composition?

Goliath Battlemaster Fighter 15
Human Diviner Wizard 15
Tiefling Lore Bard 15
Drow Shadow Monk 9/Gloomstalker Ranger 6
Human Aberrant Sorcerer 13/Paladin 2 (recent multiclass for story purposes)

 

[Zardnaar]

Goliath Battlemaster Fighter 15
Human Diviner Wizard 15
Tiefling Lore Bard 15
Drow Shadow Monk 9/Gloomstalker Ranger 6
Human Aberrant Sorcerer 13/Paladin 2 (recent multiclass for story purposes)

5 your OP said 4

Has your bard picked conjure celestial?
This group looks very vulnerable to wisdom saves.

Level 15 wisdom saves will be in the 15-20 range.

 

[aco175]

I am not sure there would be much point to low difficulty encounters, though. Wouldn't that just make it even more of a grind?

I wonder if this is a spot for another wave of monsters? The PCs are fighting the 6 balor demons and maybe kill a couple when now 20 dretches or something come in and screws up the plan for a round or two. Maybe it is a dretch swarm where one PC can divert for a couple rounds or maybe it is just a big spell.

It does make the player feel like his PC is doing something cool when he blows up the whole wave of reinforcements. And might just take the same amount of resources from the PCs.

 

[Reynard]

5 your OP said 4

I forgot about the Monk for some reason.

Has your bard picked conjure celestial?
This group looks very vulnerable to wisdom saves.

Level 15 wisdom saves will be in the 15-20 range.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

So given that, what would you suggest in order to give this player what they want -- a reason not to nova every fight?

Honestly, I'd just give them half their resources and say they blew them on off camera battles getting to this point, then start the 2-3 encounters you actually want to play through.

 

[Reynard]

Honestly, I'd just give them half their resources and say they blew them on off camera battles getting to this point, then start the 2-3 encounters you actually want to play through.

I somehow imagine the players would be unsatisfied with that.