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Low CRs and "Boring" Monsters: Ogre
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<blockquote data-quote="Rhenny" data-source="post: 6986088" data-attributes="member: 18333"><p>Although I believe that the narrative and the way the DM plays the monsters can make any monster less "boring," I do think that many of the monsters that just have attacks (even multiple attack forms that are just "to hit" attacks) can be seen as "boring."</p><p></p><p>For example, the Grick (although Stone Camouflage is interesting and gives it a chance to hide and surprise), it's attacks are just basic. It has multiattack of tentacles and beak, but there is no flavor or special effect riders with those attacks so they mechanically play out just like a sword or club attack, etc.</p><p></p><p>This is one reason why DM narrative is important for making an encounter with the Grick more interesting. </p><p></p><p>Or, add interesting riders like the tentacle hit scores a grapple effect that restrains target,giving beak attack advantage. </p><p></p><p>I do like the ideas that others have suggested about the Ogre club swing having a chance to knock target prone, push target or even swing through multiple opponents.</p><p></p><p></p><p>On the other end of the spectrum, I really like using Darkmantles because they have a clear strategy and set of abilities that work well to make them unique and interesting in combat (as long as you only use them once in a while). They are also really dangerous for 1/2 CR creatures. In one of my games, the 6th level party was camping in a cave when 6 of those Darkmantles came to investigate. Once they got into the area with the PCs, their darkness and their blindsight, with the attacks at advantage that did the "face hugger" tactic to suffocate PCs, really scared the hell out of the players, and actually challenged their PCs.</p><p></p><p>One way to always get players tense is to get their PCs into situations where they are not comfortable. The darkness of the Darkmantle in conjunction with the idea that they might suffocate if they can't get the thing off in time, does that. Grabbling PCs from below when they are in water is also a great one, pulling the PC down into the murky depths of a pool...it makes them shiver every time so even the crocodile with one bite attack has a way to make an interesting encounter.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Rhenny, post: 6986088, member: 18333"] Although I believe that the narrative and the way the DM plays the monsters can make any monster less "boring," I do think that many of the monsters that just have attacks (even multiple attack forms that are just "to hit" attacks) can be seen as "boring." For example, the Grick (although Stone Camouflage is interesting and gives it a chance to hide and surprise), it's attacks are just basic. It has multiattack of tentacles and beak, but there is no flavor or special effect riders with those attacks so they mechanically play out just like a sword or club attack, etc. This is one reason why DM narrative is important for making an encounter with the Grick more interesting. Or, add interesting riders like the tentacle hit scores a grapple effect that restrains target,giving beak attack advantage. I do like the ideas that others have suggested about the Ogre club swing having a chance to knock target prone, push target or even swing through multiple opponents. On the other end of the spectrum, I really like using Darkmantles because they have a clear strategy and set of abilities that work well to make them unique and interesting in combat (as long as you only use them once in a while). They are also really dangerous for 1/2 CR creatures. In one of my games, the 6th level party was camping in a cave when 6 of those Darkmantles came to investigate. Once they got into the area with the PCs, their darkness and their blindsight, with the attacks at advantage that did the "face hugger" tactic to suffocate PCs, really scared the hell out of the players, and actually challenged their PCs. One way to always get players tense is to get their PCs into situations where they are not comfortable. The darkness of the Darkmantle in conjunction with the idea that they might suffocate if they can't get the thing off in time, does that. Grabbling PCs from below when they are in water is also a great one, pulling the PC down into the murky depths of a pool...it makes them shiver every time so even the crocodile with one bite attack has a way to make an interesting encounter. [/QUOTE]
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