D&D 5E The BG3 Effect. Control and Paralyzing 5.5 Meta?

[DarkCrisis]

funny, in the newest campaign, sure we are 3rd level now, the DM is wiping floor with us, every fight, at least 2 out of 5 PC are rolling death saves, in one fight we were several times at 4 out of 5 out. luckily not once were both healers/casters out.

after every fight we look like we went 12 rounds with Mike Tyson in his prime.

Without knowing how many enemies / CR your DM throws at the group I can't really respond. But via the DMG standard battles aren't that rough. Even Deadly is kind of joked about. Not to mention official 5th ed adventures generally being a cake walk without the DM changing things up.

I've been running the Dragonlance 5E adventure and if I run the battles as written generally next to no issue in the battles. When I doubled the monsters, then they actually had a fight on their hands.

The DM can always set the rules aside and throw whatever he wants at the players. Can't really say that's what WotC / 5E was going for though. If they did they'd make the official adventure battles a bit harder.

 

[Piperken]

...Games are now level 3 and 8...

Apologies if I missed in OP; what is the party comp of the level 3 (5E) party? I just ran an encounter w/ similar level party and wanted to see how matters could've played different. :3

 

[Zardnaar]

Apologies if I missed in OP; what is the party comp of the level 3 (5E) party? I just ran an encounter w/ similar level party and wanted to see how matters could've played different. :3

Warlock tomelock
Ranger hunter
Barbarian Berzerker
Sorcerer lightning
Land Druid.

Hunter was competing with the barbarian for damage lvl 3.

 

[Piperken]

Warlock tomelock
Ranger hunter
Barbarian Berzerker
Sorcerer lightning
Land Druid.

Hunter was competing with the barbarian for damage lvl 3.

Ty, this helps; this arrangement is a better comp overall than what my table has... in case I had above, they sent only 3 (out of 5) of their party into a CR 3 encounter. :3

 

[Zardnaar]

Ty, this helps; this arrangement is a better comp overall than what my table has... in case I had above, they sent only 3 (out of 5) of their party into a CR 3 encounter. :3

Well they hit level 4. They did a lot of exploring and fought a 2024 wight and some ghouls.

Also explored an abandoned complex to Jergal. Undead and a trapped barrel of smoke powder.

 

[MichaelSomething]

For suggestions on non combat activities...

How about having your PCs help a village of magical creatures come to terms with expressing their emotions??


Or maybe help a group of magically talent youngsters learn to embrace their capabilities??


Or maybe provide encouragement to a princess looking for her role in life???

 

[TorgoTheWhite]

I will preface with saying, I use a VTT on my campaign (easier to accomplish the following)

One effective balance so far: Using high-level NPC opponents with their own magic equipment. The current one is about the same level as the party combined, he has a dire wolf friend that can call other wolves, his sword is ridiculously powerful but cursed (necrotic vulnerability). He is built sword & board, he is a zealot, he has bonus action heals, and has knocked a few players on their asses with shield mastery.

Anyway, there is more going on.. but several rounds with this NPC has made for some tense but balanced sessions. I would think a couple of high-level champions (for simplicity) with whatever stat block you want to give, even led by a paladin to bolster those delicious fighter saving throws could throw a in the imbalance.

The other solid tool I've used is exhaustion.. New exhaustion has been a godsend for my campaign. Maybe next time the powder grants varying levels of exhaustion? Like, you are going to be exhausted... but a con saving throw could determine HOW exhausted

 

[TorgoTheWhite]

Actually, I may use that a powder that explodes all over the party and exudes necrotic energy. Automatic exhaustion and non-stop undead drawn to the powdered players unless they can make it to some sort of special blessed waters

 

[wicked cool]

funny, in the newest campaign, sure we are 3rd level now, the DM is wiping floor with us, every fight, at least 2 out of 5 PC are rolling death saves, in one fight we were several times at 4 out of 5 out. luckily not once were both healers/casters out.

after every fight we look like we went 12 rounds with Mike Tyson in his prime.

Curious on party makeup and what was an example of an encounter

 

[Zardnaar]

I've been using exhaustion as well.

Obe was a big cloud of narcotic smoke. Other one was 5 boons bit a price to pay.

Each boon was DC 15 con save when it was time to pay. Boon wear off 2-3 levels of exhaustion each. Then initiative roll.