D&D (2024) Testing against the Gold Dragon

[Shardstone]

Well, in this specific situation, if you want to eliminate a specific PC, you HAVE to Banish them every turn because it only lasts a turn. That why I'm Pro Lava Chasm: eliminate stubborn stains in one action!

The Banish opens the door for auxiliary encounters within the greater encounter. Here's what I mean:

1. Dropping a PC into a ravine and forcing them to use a series of ability checks to get out. Works for lava and stuff too.
2. Dropping PC into a pit filled with monsters, they have to fight their way out. Use minion rules to make it quick.
3. Dropping the PC onto a collapsing building. Saving Throws to survive, ability checks to get out.

Etc etc. So I think if you are playing optimally, also think, are you playing in an engaging way? Optimal stuff from the DM is easy to do IMO. But optimal + stylish/engaging is much harder. You're a very experienced DM so I trust you already know this, but just wanted to build off your idea here.

 

[Stalker0]

Dropping PC into a pit filled with monsters, they have to fight their way out. Use minion rules to make it quick.

nice idea, a way to both supercharge the threat of the big bad but in a way that doesn't just take the player out of the fight entirely.

 

[Reynard]

The Banish opens the door for auxiliary encounters within the greater encounter. Here's what I mean:

1. Dropping a PC into a ravine and forcing them to use a series of ability checks to get out. Works for lava and stuff too.
2. Dropping PC into a pit filled with monsters, they have to fight their way out. Use minion rules to make it quick.
3. Dropping the PC onto a collapsing building. Saving Throws to survive, ability checks to get out.

Etc etc. So I think if you are playing optimally, also think, are you playing in an engaging way? Optimal stuff from the DM is easy to do IMO. But optimal + stylish/engaging is much harder. You're a very experienced DM so I trust you already know this, but just wanted to build off your idea here.

The degree to which I design with verisimilitude I'm mind versus fun depends on the nature of the campaign.

In most cases, when it comes to BBEGs and "boss fight" I try to design them based more on what the BBEG would do. A win for the players here only feels like a win if the BBEG is not messing around.

If it is just a big set piece encounter: sure, design for maximum fun.