The Hill Giant in melee

[StreamOfTheSky]

Besides, they're a 4th level party going up against a CR7 monster - and, they also have a level 7 cleric and a level 6 duskblade about as well, in addition to several lesser bad guys.

(it's 6 PCs, plus several NPCs)

I'd recommend adding some weaker enemies to the fight. With a party that large, all their actions could really keep the giant from getting to do much. Also, that gives a less deadly target for the level 4 PCs, because a CR 7 Hill Giant could probably kill them very easily.

 

[MarkB]

Thanks for the link. The wording is confusing, as it says greater than normal natural reach - but then goes on to speak about reach weapons, neglecting to mention normal (for a giant/large creature) weapons.

Now, the hill giant's standard greatclub is NOT a reach weapon for the hill giant, correct?

Regardless of weapon size or creature size, a weapon is only a Reach weapon if it has the "⁴ Reach Weapon" notation in the weapons table.

If it is not a reach weapon, it can be used to strike anywhere within the creature's natural reach.

If it is a reach weapon, it can strike anywhere out to double their natural reach, but not anywhere within their natural reach.

 

[Imp]

A very simple thing to get in the way of PCs in a giant's stronghold?

Giant-size stairs.

 

[diaglo]

I love the idea of throwing front-line fighters at back-line casters.

you need to play in my OD&D(1974) campaign then.

 

[Lord Zardoz]

Do not run him solo

Give the Hill Giant a bit of breathing room with a bit of back up. In most cases, Giants when run solo turn out to be Glass Cannons. They can inflict alot of damage, but they will take more than they hand out when up against a level appropriate party.

A couple of Goblin / Kobold / Hobgoblin Archers ought to provide some nuisance assistance without tipping the encounter towards being overwhelming. If you remember to apply the rules for firing into melee properly (-4 for firing into melee, and -8 if you do not have a clear line of sight) the backup will miss more often than not when attacking the same targets as the hill giant. (Though it occurs to me that I am not entirely sure on how the Firing into Melee rules work with respect to reach weapons).

Just have the Archers ready actions to either target an obvious spell caster, or against an obvious archer. Your Archers will be a threat to the players archers and spell casters, meaning that they cannot be ignored. But the front line combat guys certainly cannot ignore the Giant. This should give you a few extra rounds.

END COMMUNICATION

 

[Urbannen]

Yes, don't go trawling through countless sourcebooks to find cheese-ball feats. Hill giants are tough opponents already and should deal significant damage before going down.

Lord Zardoz is right - the best way to increase the challenge is to give the hill giant low-level allies.

However, the 5ft stepping is always a good idea for creatures with reach. The players are right to rush in - the giants' ranged attacks are frightening. Overwhelming force is the only way to go against these nasties. And it better be overwhelming if they're only 4th level. If the giant focuses on one character, he will likely take that character down before going down himself.

 

[NewJeffCT]

The party encountered the hill giant at range last week and managed to get him down about 50% in hit points with combined long-range arrows. The party all had moves of 30 and the giant (in hide armor) also had a move of 30... so, it was his one rock per round versus 10 arrows per round. I rolled randomly to determine which PC or NPC the rock would strike and he hit the same NPC 1st level warrior each time! Poor guy was down to -9 in hit points twice! (in consecutive sessions, they've had a PC and then two NPCs down to -9 before stabilizing or being rescued)... the other times, the giant hit a PC and then missed a PC.

But, the PCs are being approached by the evil slaver/cleric (who is in charge) and several of his slaves, including the hill giant. I had intended for the cleric and the hill giant to use the "innocent" slaves as sort of body shields - you know, have 3 or 4 slaves behind the giant so he can't be flanked without cutting down the innocent first.

 

[Rhun]

But, the PCs are being approached by the evil slaver/cleric (who is in charge) and several of his slaves, including the hill giant. I had intended for the cleric and the hill giant to use the "innocent" slaves as sort of body shields - you know, have 3 or 4 slaves behind the giant so he can't be flanked without cutting down the innocent first.

Just have the hill giant have the slaves on chains and yank them in front of him, so the PCs can't get to the hill giant without going around the slaves. It would also be memorable if the hill giant swung the prisoners on chains like some kind of weapon, bludgeoning the PCs with the slaves!

 

[NewJeffCT]

Just have the hill giant have the slaves on chains and yank them in front of him, so the PCs can't get to the hill giant without going around the slaves. It would also be memorable if the hill giant swung the prisoners on chains like some kind of weapon, bludgeoning the PCs with the slaves!

I thought about that, but slaves are actually valuable property for these slavers - so, they wouldn't waste them in that frivolous manner. Just having them there as human shields makes it difficult enough for the PCs.