blargney the second
blargney the minute's son
If it actually is a dragon, you'll definitely want something to help with Frightful Presence.
How do we prepare to fight a dragon about which we know nothing?
- Thread starter Joshua Randall
- Start date
Joshua Randall
Legend
Wow! Lots of responses. I'll try to answer the big questions.
Why do we have to fight the dragon? It's coming after our home city which we are sworn to defend. That fact that we know it is coming is actually a huge advantage, I suppose; otherwise we'd be totally unprepared. As opposed to just unable to prepare, like we are now.
Do I trust the DM? Outlook hazy; ask again later. I only recently joined this campaign (four sessions ago). I haven't observed anything blatantly cheesy, but I do suspect some Adversarial DM Syndrome.
Is it really a dragon? If it's not, then I am going to be really angry. Our very first commune question was: Q: Is (name of creature) a red dragon? A: Yes. That was the only straight^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H direct answer we've received.
Can we scout it out? Maybe. We don't know where it is, but various ideas have been discussed to find it. Assuming we do, I like the idea of a recon in force, especially using astral contructs or other throwaway summonees.
Can we use spells from the Draconomicon or other (WotC) sources? Yes, if they are approved in advance by the DM. Normally he is pretty lenient about it, but of note: he said he would only allow Assay Spell Resistance (swift action, +10 on your next caster level check to overcome SR) if he could make up a counter-spell that buffed a creature's SR by 10. We decided we are better off without Assay Spell Resistance, in that case.
Are we dead meat? Probably. At the end of the last session, the DM asked, "How long do you guys want this campaign to go on?" The general consensus was until 20th level. But when the DM starts asking when you want the game to end, I'm guessing we're headed for a "dramatic" TPK or some other nonsense like that. If he is bored with the campaign, I wish he would just come out and say so, and spare us the ignominious defeat.
Why do we have to fight the dragon? It's coming after our home city which we are sworn to defend. That fact that we know it is coming is actually a huge advantage, I suppose; otherwise we'd be totally unprepared. As opposed to just unable to prepare, like we are now.
Do I trust the DM? Outlook hazy; ask again later. I only recently joined this campaign (four sessions ago). I haven't observed anything blatantly cheesy, but I do suspect some Adversarial DM Syndrome.
Is it really a dragon? If it's not, then I am going to be really angry. Our very first commune question was: Q: Is (name of creature) a red dragon? A: Yes. That was the only straight^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H direct answer we've received.
Can we scout it out? Maybe. We don't know where it is, but various ideas have been discussed to find it. Assuming we do, I like the idea of a recon in force, especially using astral contructs or other throwaway summonees.
Can we use spells from the Draconomicon or other (WotC) sources? Yes, if they are approved in advance by the DM. Normally he is pretty lenient about it, but of note: he said he would only allow Assay Spell Resistance (swift action, +10 on your next caster level check to overcome SR) if he could make up a counter-spell that buffed a creature's SR by 10. We decided we are better off without Assay Spell Resistance, in that case.
Are we dead meat? Probably. At the end of the last session, the DM asked, "How long do you guys want this campaign to go on?" The general consensus was until 20th level. But when the DM starts asking when you want the game to end, I'm guessing we're headed for a "dramatic" TPK or some other nonsense like that. If he is bored with the campaign, I wish he would just come out and say so, and spare us the ignominious defeat.
If you truly feel that way, and if the other players do too, I suggest leaving the city to be razed, expending resources to help it be evacuated.
The DM will sputter, and ask "WTF?". At that point, you explain that, given what you could figure out, you fully expected your party to be ran over by the threat, and, given that, a retreat and evacuation seemed like the most logical thing to do.
The DM will sputter, and ask "WTF?". At that point, you explain that, given what you could figure out, you fully expected your party to be ran over by the threat, and, given that, a retreat and evacuation seemed like the most logical thing to do.
Tinner
First Post
Have the party spellcasters load up on force spells, and things that do holy damage.
Force should work on almost any dragon that would be appropriate for your level, barring things like a brooch of shielding, and from all accounts, the dragon sounds evil, so holy damage should work well too.
I'd try to have the entire party soften her up with ranged attacks for as long as possible.
Some True Strikes won't hurt, and anything that enhances the arrows chance of harming the beast can only help. If you can get ahold of some poison, try it. Odds are the dragon will save, but even one missed save could help.
Pick your battlefield.
Take advantage of cover, and the sniping rules.
If you can get the dragon bottled up somewhere that negates its multiple attacks per round, and even better eliminates its flight, you'll stand a better chance.
Once it comes down to melee, I favor the "Dogpile on da Wabbit" tactic.
Every melee fighter dives in, looking to dish out as much damage as possible, as fast as possible. Now's the time to use those potions of Bull's Strength, etc. Every attack the paladin makes should be a smite attempt until he has used them all.
You said this dragon is going to attack a city right?
Can you recruit some extra hit points? I mean commoners?
Have as many of them as possible make Aid Another actions to help the fighters.
What are shield-bearers good for anyway?!
Good luck!
Force should work on almost any dragon that would be appropriate for your level, barring things like a brooch of shielding, and from all accounts, the dragon sounds evil, so holy damage should work well too.
I'd try to have the entire party soften her up with ranged attacks for as long as possible.
Some True Strikes won't hurt, and anything that enhances the arrows chance of harming the beast can only help. If you can get ahold of some poison, try it. Odds are the dragon will save, but even one missed save could help.
Pick your battlefield.
Take advantage of cover, and the sniping rules.
If you can get the dragon bottled up somewhere that negates its multiple attacks per round, and even better eliminates its flight, you'll stand a better chance.
Once it comes down to melee, I favor the "Dogpile on da Wabbit" tactic.
Every melee fighter dives in, looking to dish out as much damage as possible, as fast as possible. Now's the time to use those potions of Bull's Strength, etc. Every attack the paladin makes should be a smite attempt until he has used them all.
You said this dragon is going to attack a city right?
Can you recruit some extra hit points? I mean commoners?
Have as many of them as possible make Aid Another actions to help the fighters.
What are shield-bearers good for anyway?!
Good luck!
ruleslawyer
Registered User
What Tinner said. Force effects and holy damage are your friend.
I'm confused, myself. Obviously, the dragon could have an amulet of proof against detection and location, but that only protects against commune by a slight stretch of the rules.
I'm confused, myself. Obviously, the dragon could have an amulet of proof against detection and location, but that only protects against commune by a slight stretch of the rules.
Chimera
First Post
Barak said:
Pretty much my opinion as well, with a side order of
AuraSeer said:
My first option would be to openly speak at the table about leaving town, or otherwise NOT fighting the Dragon. Gauge the GM's reaction to this. The next step, should he insist that you continue, would be to call a Come To Jesus Meeting where you talk about the problems of this scenario and how it makes you unhappy, giving the GM the option to correct his defects, or at least the perception thereof.
If all else failed and you had to go through with it (and were unwilling to simply walk away, in or out of game), I'd make it abundantly clear to the GM that if the encounter results in a TPK, there's no way I'm every playing again when he's the GM.
VirgilCaine
First Post
Barak said:
I agree. If he tries to challenge you, evade it.
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