D&D 5E Other ways to overcome the monster

[Rhenny]

This thread reminds me of a moment in a campaign I played in many years ago. In the game, our party was being pursued by a flesh golem that we knew we could not harm (3rd edition -we were low level pcs with no magic weapons). So, we ran it on a wild goose chase, eventually trapping it in the cabin of a small ship. Then, to make it less likely that anyone would unlock the door and free the golem, we sailed to deeper waters outside the harbor, got on the escape boat, and scuttled the ship, sinking it to the bottom of the sea.

 

[Ath'kethin]

You could always manipulate the environment: cast a spell that brings intense cold (or heat), cause an avalanche, call a thunder/rain storm (or the illusion of one).

 

[GMMichael]

What other ways are there of overcoming a monster that don't involve direct combat?

In Dragon Warrior, you can cause a golem to swoon by playing a mystical flute. Harp. Something like that.

Talking sometimes works. "Monster" doesn't have to mean "dumb."

However, if dumb is the case, you could bring along an opposite-sex-looking dummy of the monster...

 

[Mad_Jack]

This thread reminds me of a moment in a campaign I played in many years ago. In the game, our party was being pursued by a flesh golem that we knew we could not harm (3rd edition -we were low level pcs with no magic weapons). So, we ran it on a wild goose chase, eventually trapping it in the cabin of a small ship. Then, to make it less likely that anyone would unlock the door and free the golem, we sailed to deeper waters outside the harbor, got on the escape boat, and scuttled the ship, sinking it to the bottom of the sea.

We knew there was an iron golem walking a patrol route in the dungeon we were in that could be summoned for help with the large gongs in some of the rooms. We sure as hell didn't need to fight that thing at the same time as anything else, so the rogue tracked it down, got in front of it and opened the door to a room with only the one entrance... When the golem wandered into the room per it's programming, we slammed the door and locked it in. And barred the door. And used a stolen scroll to drop a Wall of Stone across it.
And then came back later with reinforcements.

 

[Eltab]

What other ways are there of overcoming a monster that don't involve direct combat?

Playing in Princes of the Apocalypse, I messed up the rival gang that is trying to take over / buy out Ye Olde Towne Inn, by sending the following Message out a half-open window:
"I can see you sneaking out there and I know what you are up to." (Pure bluff - I had no idea what the NPC in question was doing. But I didn't tell the DM that.)
The NPC was using the light coming out of the window to read a letter "The strangers are on to us so we must be more careful"

He failed a morale check, dropped the important incriminating evidence he was carrying, and ran off screaming.

 

[ArchfiendBobbie]

One of the more fun aspects of a charismatic paladin is using that charisma to turn enemies into converts and allies. And then smiting anyone who can't be lured.

The first time I did it, the DM had a succubus trying to seduce my paladin. The DM didn't expect my paladin to flirt back. Or the resulting game of romantic one-upmanship that resulted in the succubus being seduced to the side of good.

 

[FormerlyHemlock]

But they have not as of yet mastered the "hold your drink" cantrip. Which knocks them down a peg, effectively making them the Aquaman of dwarves.

I just realized: High Elves get wizard cantrips as a racial feature. Elves are also the Aquaman of dwarves.

No wonder dwarves and elves don't get along.

 

[FormerlyHemlock]

However, if dumb is the case, you could bring along an opposite-sex-looking dummy of the monster...

Or put on a wig and do the seduction routine yourself...

 

[ccs]

We knew there was an iron golem walking a patrol route in the dungeon we were in that could be summoned for help with the large gongs in some of the rooms. We sure as hell didn't need to fight that thing at the same time as anything else, so the rogue tracked it down, got in front of it and opened the door to a room with only the one entrance... When the golem wandered into the room per it's programming, we slammed the door and locked it in. And barred the door. And used a stolen scroll to drop a Wall of Stone across it.
And then came back later with reinforcements.

We kited one into an open (though camoflaged) Well of Many Worlds. Kind of like a pit trap.... And shot it into somewhere else.

Now there's been the constant joke/threat in all our campaigns since that the sky'll open up & an angry iron Golem will fall on us. Talk about a random encounter!

 

[Uller]

Zombies should attract scavengers. For instance...set up something where the party must cross a river filled with swarms of giant piranha. Place zombies wondering about nearby. Somehow push the zombies into the river then cross safely while the piranha feast.