Predict this encounter

[Quasqueton]

The PCs:
Halfling sorcerer 10
Human ranger 10
Human paladin 10 (with dire wolf special mount, which always fights unmounted)

All are inside a Leomund’s secure shelter (for almost 20 hours now), in the middle of an area of bright sandy desert.

They hear “something big” outside.

I (the DM) tell the PCs there’s maybe another half hour left on the LSS duration. Looking out the windows, they find there is at least one, maybe two giants outside. (Picture Kirk, Spock, and Bones in the shuttlecraft being bashed on by the giant cavemen.

Acutally, the one giant they can see clearly is 60 feet away, throwing stuff at the shelter. The one they can't see is behind the house bashing on it.

The threat:
2 giants (straight frost giant stats with the cold immunity and fire vulnerability removed)


Now, how would you expect this encounter to play out? The two CR9 giants are an EL11 danger. Considering the set up, are we in TPK territory, or will the PCs wipe the floor with the giants? Or will this be a good challenging fight for the PCs?

Quasqueton

 

[szilard]

More information on the PCs and their abilities/equipment would be useful.

Also, do the giants have any particular equipment?

-Stuart

 

[ThirdWizard]

One of my most recent memorable encounters was similar, but instead of 2 giants it was a group of NPCs of various classes. It was very reminiscent of the old westerns, but instead of rifles it was fireballs.

The house, in my experience, gave the PCs an advantage. They could give themselves full cover when necessary (for healing, buffing, etc), and then go open the doors/windows in order to blast away. Intelligent opponents will use Readied Actions, and such, but it still gives the PCs an advantage.

Three PCs is rough, but they look like they can handle themselves, being straight classed, especially with a sorcerer in their ranks. Frost giants, especially, are going to be at a disadvantage of a 10th level sorcerer, assuming scorching ray and fireball.

So, no, I wouldn't expect a TPK, and with some thought, they could do it with no casualties.

 

[Quasqueton]

More information on the PCs and their abilities/equipment would be useful.

28 point buy, standard equipment for their level -- nothing especially potent against giants. The sorcerer's top spell is teleport, and his most used spells are evard's black tentacles, fireball, and magic missile. The ranger has a shocking composite longbow and +3? chain shirt. The paladin has an undead-bane greathammer and adamantine full plate. The party is fully rested, healed, and prepared for the day.

Also, do the giants have any particular equipment?

They are stock frost giants right out of the MM, only with the cold/fire stuff removed, and description altered.

The landscape is covered in a couple dozen dead bodies, left as they lay from the party's previous battle. (This is what attracted the giants to the place -- food they don't have to hunt and kill.) The giant's are throwing a few bodies at the shelter (lacking rocks at hand). The shelter is standing right in the middle of the desert sands, and is amazingly strong.

Quasqueton

 

[Old Gumphrey]

If the sorcerer can stay out of melee (generally easy as heck) he'll burn those things down before you know it. The encounter should be cake for that group.

 

[Bladesong]

If they drop the shelter and the fighter types attack the one that is close by while the sorc delays the one at range with spells, they should be able to survive with minor to moderate injuries which the paladin should be able to handle.
Are you asking this because the party is afraid to come out?

 

[Bad Paper]

I would say the three (four, really) of them opening the door and bolting out to kill the distant one, before the near one got around the house, should give them plenty of time. Bonus if the sorcerer can fly. I can't see a problem.

 

[Quasqueton]

Are you asking this because the party is afraid to come out?

I'm asking because that was the set up at the beginning of our last game session. I'm curious what others would expect/figure as the outcome.

When I get some more input, I'll tell what happened. I'm not trying to trick anyone, here, nor trying to set up an argument. I just don't want to color anyone's opinion/reading of the set up before they give their honest thoughts.

Quasqueton

 

[Bladesong]

I would say the three (four, really) of them opening the door and bolting out to kill the distant one, before the near one got around the house, should give them plenty of time. Bonus if the sorcerer can fly. I can't see a problem.

This idea is even better if the giant is not too far and does not have any missile capability.

 

[Thanee]

Well, I suppose it didn't go so well for your PCs then (why else should you ask this?), but I would totally not expect this to end in a TPK unless dice rolls were rather wild. If the party plays it smart and stays at range (Teleport, Evard's), they should defeat them without sustaining much damage (or even any at all). Going into melee with them, of course, can result in some serious damage.

Bye
Thanee