D&D 5E NPCs using spells with a HP threshold (like sleep). How much do you metagame?

[Uller]

I'm running Hidden Shrine from TftYP today (SPOILERS!).

There is a monster with a sleep spell in it. It's a fight that is probably best avoided (you really have to go out of your way to meet the creature...by the time we get here, the PCs are likely low on resources and should be just hoping to escape).

But it makes me wonder...how much do DM's metagame spells that have a hp threshold and no save like sleep? Do you have the NPC cast them early expecting to weed out any weak foes? Do you have them wait until some of the PCs are weakened enough to be easily affected? Do you maybe allow more intelligent NPCs to "know" when such spells will work and use them to best tactical advantage?

In this case the NPC has a 14 int...not super smart. He is a "god" of sorts and will probably assume any interlopers are weakling humans so I think he is likely to open with sleep with a plan on playing with his new found toys at his whim.

 

[iserith]

It depends on the context of the scene. If it will make the game more fun and contribute to a more exciting story in that moment to put one or more PCs to sleep, then I'll bust that spell off when it will be the most effective.

 

[Xaelvaen]

I base that entirely on my party's dps output for any given scenario. If I have a high amount of bruisers, or just one that is really in the sweet spot of dealing damage, I rarely wait for the 'big gimmick' of the bad guys, cause a lot of the time it can be too late. (This, is of course, when running a game from a published adventure or campaign. In my custom content, I always put a resilience mechanic into story-driven fights.) So, as you mentioned, I'd likely dwindle their resources and open with the sleep spell.

 

[ccs]

I'd probably just make an Int check for the npc to properly size up the party.

 

[Croesus]

Some, but not much. I'm more concerned with the motivation of the villain. If he's desperate, he throws the spell and hopes for the best. If he isn't, then he'll wait until it's obvious a PC is on his last legs. If in doubt, a quick Wisdom or Intelligence check can determine if he begins to panic, which will affect spell choices.

 

[Satyrn]

But it makes me wonder...how much do DM's metagame spells that have a hp threshold and no save like sleep?

I really don't know.

I don't like using spells that can take out a PC so suddenly, so there's that sort of thought going throuh my head.

But I also rarely know how many hit points the PCs have because I simply never pay attention to that, so it'd be extraordinarily rare that I'm deciding on that info.

And then, I'm totally fine with full-on metagaming the monsters actions to make the fight fun, scary, or whatever I'm going for, so I might try to pay attention fo the PCs hp when I'm planning to use such a spell.

 

[Stalker0]

In my game the only hp info people get is the old bloodied condition from 4e. People know when someone is ar half health, but no exact hp info.

So people tend to use those hp threshold spells at that point, otherwise it's a roll of the dice

 

[Fanaelialae]

I really depends on the context of the scenario, but I'd generally assume a similar level of knowledge based on if you were coming into the scene as a player.

 

[CrimsonCarcharodon]

In my game the only hp info people get is the old bloodied condition from 4e. People know when someone is ar half health, but no exact hp info.

So people tend to use those hp threshold spells at that point, otherwise it's a roll of the dice

Same in my games. The bloodied condition is one of those things from 4E that was just so good, I had to port it over to 5E.

 

[Shiroiken]

Unless the NPC has a better option, Sleep is a solid opener. Once you actually engage in melee, you may find yourself the target of your own spell.