Level 3 PCs vs. Level 8 Monster?

[Chris Knapp]

I am trying to create an encounter and am unsure whether this would be overkill: 5 x level 3 PC's vs. 2 x Level 2 Soldiers and 1 x level 8 ogre skirmisher. Adding up the XP's, keeps it within the players range, but I am afraid that +5 level monster is way out of the player's league. The stats of an ogre skirmisher seem manageable by a level 3 party of 5, but I wanted to get some feedback.

 

[ForbidenMaster]

I am trying to create an encounter and am unsure whether this would be overkill: 5 x level 3 PC's vs. 2 x Level 2 Soldiers and 1 x level 8 ogre skirmisher. Adding up the XP's, keeps it within the players range, but I am afraid that +5 level monster is way out of the player's league. The stats of an ogre skirmisher seem manageable by a level 3 party of 5, but I wanted to get some feedback.

As long as the PCs have a reasonable chance to hit, the ogre wont kill them in two hits, and you can keep the longer then usual life span of the ogre interesting, it should be fine.

 

[Oompa]

Do an quick test run..

Just place your players on an field, the ogre and others on the other side and re-create how your players would play.. Look at how it would go..

 

[Blizzardb]

Why don't you adopt the ogre encounter from the first adventure of Scales of War adventure path? It was a very cool encounter with level 8 ogre and some hobgoblins against 1-st level characters. The catch was that the ogre was in an unique position, limiting its actions (tied to a cart filled with exploding barrels).

This was in the first issue of digital Dungeon magazine, not requiring subscribtion.

 

[LostSoul]

It could be a swingy fight. If the PCs can't hit the ogre due to poor dice rolls and you're rolling well, it'll be tough for them. The opposite is also true.

It won't be overkill, though.

I think it might be more interesting if you take out the soldiers and throw in 8 minions.

 

[Mengu]

It's a fine encounter. I wouldn't worry about it. They may have a challenging time until they take out the soldiers (depending on the layout), but after that, they should have no difficulty pinning down the Ogre as long as they have a defender in the group.

A level+5 standard monster is definitely not out of range. Hard encounters frequently contain monsters of level+4 through level+7. Check out the encounter templates in the DMG to get an idea. And under "Spending Your XP Budget", it says:

Monsters or traps more than four levels below the party's level or seven levels above the party's level don't make good challenges.​

So level-4 through level+7 monsters are fine. I'd be careful with Brutes that are level-4 since they won't be able to credibly hit the PC's, and I'd be careful with level+7 soldiers, since PC's can have a hard time hitting them. But aside from that, these guidelines are pretty spot on in my experience.​

 

[the Jester]

It should be a tough but manageable fight. The pcs will need to use decent tactics or they'll take a pretty good thumping- which makes for an exciting and fun encounter.

 

[chaotix42]

Last week my 11th lvl PCs fought 2 solos at once - a lvl 11 white dragon & a lvl 13 blue dragon, both with polychromatic blood (from Draconomicon). They were at the center of a big crater, surrounded by an immense battle between hobgoblins & men.

They had the help of a powerful NPC who had wraith minions at his command which were capable of creating spawn - as the PCs fought the dragons the wraiths were tearing out the souls of hobgoblins, and each PC got to control one of the "surplus" from the horde. When their minion died another one flew onto the board at the beginning of the round. Soon the dragons were being dogged through the air by swarms of Ref-attacking wraiths.

Also, the crater still flickered with the arcane fire that resulted from the PC's explosive teleportation to the battlefield (ritual, sort of). Each spot did 10 fire damage if you were knocked into it/started your turn there - some spots were 2x2. Starting your turn in multiple spaces did cumulative damage, so when the dragons got knocked into the flame it really hurt.

The battle was long but tense and filled with back & forth moments. With the right scenario any battle can work.

 

[chaotix42]

Why don't you adopt the ogre encounter from the first adventure of Scales of War adventure path? It was a very cool encounter with level 8 ogre and some hobgoblins against 1-st level characters. The catch was that the ogre was in an unique position, limiting its actions (tied to a cart filled with exploding barrels).

This was in the first issue of digital Dungeon magazine, not requiring subscribtion.

This! I thought that was an awesome encounter.

Or, instead of grounding the ogre, perhaps the PCs can confront it in an area that favors them? Maybe a tight passage keeps the ogre from chasing them if they need a breather (unless he wants to squeeeeeze), or there might be spot where the PCs can collapse something on top of him, doing damage & restraining him until escape. You could always put a nice lethal ledge somewhere - after a few rough rounds it would be satisfying to send the ogre over the edge.

 

[Rel]

I agree that it'll be a tough fight but should be totally doable. Honestly I'd think that a 1st level party could take on an Ogre Brute but that might just be the RBDM in me talking.