How many Shadows are too many?

[diaglo]

Evil Idea

Spoiler

Have 6 shadows with a mirror image maxed out! They will think there is 36 shadows in the room! Plus as an added bit of fun you can have minor illusions on the walls to make it look as if more are starting to apper!

Hehe, the party will waste time on the "shadows" and get beaten by the real ones

Pssssttt...the spell you picked is personal....they can't cast it....so it won't work.

perhaps a magical effect like a spell effect in the area might be better like the second spell you mentioned

 

[Viehl]

If you're playing 2E, make sure the party thief attempts to Hide in Shadows.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I gave a party of average 10.5 level serious problems with just 4 shadows. The environment is the key.

I set up the fight where the PCs were investigating a series of 10ft by 10ft cells. This restricted their movement without causing any hindrance to the incorporeal shadows. Plus the shadows fought from a position embedded in the walls, giving themselves improved cover from their foes (+8 AC, +10 to hide. Heh).

 

[Derulbaskul]

Of course, you know that there's only one TRUE Shadow!

Izrador, of course!

I just used some advanced shadows (Large, 10 HD) against 6 16th level characters and they really, really struggled. I had the shadows attacking out of the walls and then returning to same so no turn undead etc... (and nobody remembered about readying actions).

However, a very clever players used etherealness for the first time ever in 20 years of playing and some turning took place. They were then able to escape and lick their wounds... for the moment.

Anyway, I love incorporeal, ability damaging creatures!

 

[Schmoe]

I sent in three waves of 6-8 shadows each against my party of eight 12th level characters. The group didn't have a cleric, but they managed to do OK, thanks in large part to some very lucky miss chance rolls by the hasted, power-attacking barbarian.

You should have seen the player of the Grig sorcerer with a normal Strength of 4.

That encounter definitely put the fear of shadow-walking into the players hearts.

 

[Derulbaskul]

IMO, the incorporeal trait was one of the most interesting things added to the D&D ruleset with 3E.

 

[Particle_Man]

If you feel like a total bastard you could start with the party fighting some kobolds, and then hearing screams from the back of the pack of the kobolds as the latter are attacked from behind by shadows. Kobolds aren't that strong. With a high level party, use lots of kobolds (which potentially could be lots of shadows unless the party acts FAST).

 

[Chacal]

If you feel like a total bastard you could start with the party fighting some kobolds, and then hearing screams from the back of the pack of the kobolds as the latter are attacked from behind by shadows. Kobolds aren't that strong. With a high level party, use lots of kobolds (which potentially could be lots of shadows unless the party acts FAST).

Very nice one !

If you don't want the PC to kill all the kobolds with a single zone spell, you 'll need to spread them a bit, though.

How about this variant: The PCs are investigating a desecrated zone where evrything that dies becomes a wraith.
Then they see a band of kobolds attacked by shadows.
They might feel obligated to save the kobolds


Chacal