Scaffolding for Large Constructs

[chronoplasm]

So I want to do a boss battle where the players are fighting against an unfinished Bone Golem. The monster spends the first half of the fight stuck in its scaffolding and is unable to move. When the monster becomes bloodied it breaks out of the structure and can shamble around a little bit.

How much would a drawback like this adjust the level of the encounter?

Also, what are some other ways that I can make a construct that isn't quite finished yet?

 

[DanmarLOK]

I'd say drop the XP by probably 30-40% since you're only fighting 'half the monster' as it were but that other half its still got its full compliment of powers.

I'd change one or more of the powers to one shot. Perhaps have a 'double attack' power work once but then one of hte arms falls off or it falls off on a miss.

 

[chronoplasm]

The arm falling off sounds cool. What if I have two Skeletons standing on the Bone Golem's shoulders? When one of the Skeletons is killed, one of the Bone Golem's arms falls off.

 

[Frostmarrow]

Tres cool! Maybe a gaze attack becomes available at bloodied? Just for the sheer fun of describing how the eyes turn red and gleam.

Perhaps the golem can only turn in one direction.

The golem can drag parts of the scaffolding behind, as a wall.

Thunder damage is fun.

 

[Anthony Jackson]

How dangerous this is depends on the ranged attacks the golem has. Basically, if there's any way for the PCs to be in a position where they can attack the golem and the golem can't attack them, this becomes an exercise in "grind through the monster's hit points until it breaks free" and should reduce xp by around 60%. If the golem has decent ranged attacks (enough range to hit everywhere with line of sight on him, at least within 40-50 squares) it's only around -40%. If the golem has quite strong ranged attacks (strong enough that you're better off getting close) the reduced mobility doesn't hinder it much at all, and it might only be -20%.

 

[chronoplasm]

I was thinking of giving the golem laser eyes dealing d6 radiant damage unless the target makes a reflex save.

 

[Anthony Jackson]

I was thinking of giving the golem laser eyes dealing d6 radiant damage unless the target makes a reflex save.

That sounds like 3e terminology; 'reflex save' is not a meaningful concept in 4e. In any case, that doesn't sound like enough damage to be a major factor.

 

[chronoplasm]

Ah. Sorry.

Laser Eyes
Wisdom vs. Reflex
1d6+Wisdom modifier radiant damage

 

[Satha]

Some random ideas off of the top of my head:

Is this a solo encounter or will they have other enemies to keep them busy until the Golem breaks free? If so I'd have the Golem actually doing damage to the scaffolding every round in an attempt to escape, in addition to any damage being done to it by the PC's while trying to free him. (though if they're distracted by other enemies I doubt they'll be doing much damage to the scaffolding, just the other enemies)

Another option: Make him a bit of a hazard. Every round on his initiative anyone on the scaffolding has to make a balance check or fall prone, if they fail by five or more they are slid one square and then fall prone, in the direction away from the Golem, possibly allowing you to knock PC's off of the scaffolding. (then maybe a save to see if they hang on and can pull themselves back up, you know, action movie stuff)

This only works if the PC's have something else to focus on for the beginning of the fight mind you. Maybe the Golem's creator(s)/minions? A savvy player may be able to damage the Golem with a Thievery check in order to eliminate a specific attack or slow it's movement, that sort of thing.

And having other enemies for the PC's to focus on until the Golem breaks free seems like a good idea just from the fact that they will likely just be standing their slashing at it, possibly using all of their dailies on this enemy before it even breaks out. The idea alone is amazingly cool and I'll likely be stealing it.