Weiley31
Legend
It's all over once the Tetraipedes enter the server.Centipedies are evil but what is more evil that is nickelipedies and what is more evil that than dimeipedies and what is more evil than than quarteripedies!
It's all over once the Tetraipedes enter the server.Centipedies are evil but what is more evil that is nickelipedies and what is more evil that than dimeipedies and what is more evil than than quarteripedies!
That sounds like an unfun insta kill.Also, when presenting swarms of insects or spiders, always ALWAYS leave open the possibility in your description that a bug crawled into one of the PC's ears and is now laying eggs in his or her brain.
Oh I'd say there's some time before death.That sounds like an unfun insta kill.
The spiders will need to start climbing on the person they're attacking, but make sure to describe the players attacks as knocking the spiders off carefully, and if a 1 is rolled maybe have the character's armor/clothing nicked (no actual damage).I'm about to run Ghosts of Saltmarsh, which includes a few encounters with insect swarms (spiders). As I read the stat block, it occurs to me that I have no idea how to run this monster. Unlike a swarm of flying insects, the spiders need to crawl onto a target to attack it (I assume, because that's the only thing that makes sense). But I'm not sure how to describe this action without giving the players the impression that they're being engulfed in spiders and can't attack for fear of hurting themselves or their companions. (How the hell do you stab a spider when it's crawling on someone, anyway?)
I guess I need to make it clear to the players that the "swarm" is a monster that can be attacked, and not some sort of trap/hazard that must be dealt with creatively. But how do I do that?
They are on the high end of the CR, but still pretty descent*. The trick is to avoid using weapon damage, and focus on spells, fire, or even acid. In one encounter, Burning Hands was used against 2 swarms to great effect (fortunately the other PCs were out of the way). Also, their damage goes way down once they're at half HP.(Also, the swarm has 22 HP and resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage, which is effectively 44 HP. That's nuts for its 1/2 CR, isn't it?)
That sounds like an unfun insta kill.
Think of the swarm as being a central malign intelligence. Individual spiders may crawl up a PC's legs and bite them, but the mass of the swarm is still on the ground at their feet or on the wall by them. It's driving off the heart of the swarm that's important, not a few stray spiders. When the swarm moves (or the PC moves), describe how it's easy for the PC whose space was once occupied by the swarm to shake off any lingering spiders.I'm about to run Ghosts of Saltmarsh, which includes a few encounters with insect swarms (spiders). As I read the stat block, it occurs to me that I have no idea how to run this monster. Unlike a swarm of flying insects, the spiders need to crawl onto a target to attack it (I assume, because that's the only thing that makes sense). But I'm not sure how to describe this action without giving the players the impression that they're being engulfed in spiders and can't attack for fear of hurting themselves or their companions. (How the hell do you stab a spider when it's crawling on someone, anyway?)
I guess I need to make it clear to the players that the "swarm" is a monster that can be attacked, and not some sort of trap/hazard that must be dealt with creatively. But how do I do that?
Not really. It's at the higher end, yeah, but several CR 1/2 monsters (e.g. Shadow and Jackalwere) have resistance to B/P/S damage, and if taken into account as doubling HP would place the Shadow at 32 HP and Jackalwere at 36 HP.(Also, the swarm has 22 HP and resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage, which is effectively 44 HP. That's nuts for its 1/2 CR, isn't it?)
or Thieves Tools, to pull the bug out of his ear.I'd have it curable by a Greater Restoration, Regenerate, or even Remove Curse.