My characters mow through my opponents!

[S'mon]

I don't understand how 2nd level PCs can possibly be going up against _trolls_ and surviving - with its claw attacks, bite and probable rend a troll is pretty much guaranteed to kill a 2nd level character _each round_ a fight goes on. Maybe you could break down what actually happens in these fights? Do the PCs always get to buff up & attack at a time of their choosing? Fights where the monsters attack the PCs are always much tougher in D&D than vice-versa.

 

[S'mon]

The session before last IMC, 2 regular CR 5 trolls and a troll barbarian-2 CR 7 attacked my high level party of 5 PCs (levels 12, 13, 13, 14, 15) & 2 cohorts (levels 10 & 13), effective party level ca 15, in camp. The PCs took over 200 dmg - including over 150 dmg to the dwarf paladin, who had 185 hp - before they killed the foes in this EL9 encounter.

 

[Theseus]

It seems that the group is more focused on melee combat.

Use low level sorcerers/wizards against them. A lot. Kobold sorcerers, goblin sorcerers, etc..... Protection from arrows and a lot of spells from the enchantment sphere against the fighter types will help balance the fights.

Btw, could you post the character´s stats? It would certainly help to clarify a lot of things.

 

[Darklone]

I don't understand how 2nd level PCs can possibly be going up against _trolls_ and surviving - with its claw attacks, bite and probable rend a troll is pretty much guaranteed to kill a 2nd level character _each round_ a fight goes on. Maybe you could break down what actually happens in these fights? Do the PCs always get to buff up & attack at a time of their choosing? Fights where the monsters attack the PCs are always much tougher in D&D than vice-versa.

Depends on the place you have. In a PBeM I once was in, we met trolls and owlbears with 15 level 1 PCs and scarcely any died... ranged combat once killed a troll with fighter levels (well put him into the negatives) before he closed.

 

[Malar's Cow]

What sort of feats and magical items do they have?

If they can kill creatures like trolls and owlbears easily enough at 2nd, that seems a little odd. Not impossible, but not something I would have expected.

All feats are core PHB. Fighter has taken the dodge tree of feats and has dodge, mobility, weapons focus and combat expertise. Rangers have rapid shot, one has favored enemy giants, the other orcs. Cleric woships a god of justice and retribution, favored weapon longsword. Barby has no combat feats yet.

Magic items are few and far between. Fighter has a +1 longsword, but there aren't many other combat-friendly items. Most characters have upgraded their armor, and average AC is about 16-17 now.

 

[Malar's Cow]

I don't understand how 2nd level PCs can possibly be going up against _trolls_ and surviving - with its claw attacks, bite and probable rend a troll is pretty much guaranteed to kill a 2nd level character _each round_ a fight goes on. Maybe you could break down what actually happens in these fights? Do the PCs always get to buff up & attack at a time of their choosing? Fights where the monsters attack the PCs are always much tougher in D&D than vice-versa.

I try to catch the PC's unawares as often as possible, although the terrain through which they're traveling is lightly rolling hills/near-tundra in mid-spring. The troll caught the party by surprise, knocked the fighter unconscious, took out the druid's wolf companion, knocked out the fighter again (after the cleric had healed him) and then died without further ado. I don't think a single spell was cast.

One thing that may be important: The majority of the party is mounted on war horses, and uses them to attack.

 

[Mystery Man]

One thing that may be important: The majority of the party is mounted on war horses, and uses them to attack.

Move it underground.
Bring something out that will eat the horses.
Attack the horses, a failed ride check later you have a pc on the ground and possible dead horse. They have gold, they can buy more.

 

[Malar's Cow]

Btw, could you post the character´s stats? It would certainly help to clarify a lot of things.

I don't have them handy, but the barby and the fighter are better than average (half-orc bbn has 20 str and 18 con), but the rest are either average or slightly above. Used 4d6, drop lowest, arrange as desired method.

 

[Darmanicus]

The session before last IMC, 2 regular CR 5 trolls and a troll barbarian-2 CR 7 attacked my high level party of 5 PCs (levels 12, 13, 13, 14, 15) & 2 cohorts (levels 10 & 13), effective party level ca 15, in camp. The PCs took over 200 dmg - including over 150 dmg to the dwarf paladin, who had 185 hp - before they killed the foes in this EL9 encounter.

There must be something SERIOUSLY wrong with that party!

 

[S'mon]

There must be something SERIOUSLY wrong with that party!

They were camping & mostly asleep, their ACs are maybe a bit low anyway; the troll BBN had STR 31, STR 35 raging - sadly it got hit by a Ray of Enfeeblement

The trolls had large clubs doing 2d6 dmg, leader had a special 12' halberd doing 2d10, which most used in their initial rush, before resorting to claws to full-attack. But anyway you look at it, a troll that Rends is a troll that does ridiculous amounts of damage!