Toughest critter in 4e
- Thread starter Starsunder
- Start date
Leif
Adventurer
No offense intended, but a DM with half a brain can make almost any monster a very difficult challenge for almost any party. I mean, the DM is in total control of all of the circumstances of the combat, what healing resources the monsters do or do not have, and all other aspects of the combat.
That being said, the monsters that you have mentioned are certainly capable of winning against many parties. Particularly those who are ill-prepared or even those who have terrible luck with attack/damage rolls.
But, hey, that's just my opinion. In previous editions, monsters who had access to numerous buffs from spells or spell-like abilities were certainly near the top, if not at the very top of the list. I would imagine that holds true for 4E, but I am not sufficiently experienced with the new edition to say so for sure. Still, I hope that you have started a lively debate! Thanks for letting me put in my two coppers.
That being said, the monsters that you have mentioned are certainly capable of winning against many parties. Particularly those who are ill-prepared or even those who have terrible luck with attack/damage rolls.
But, hey, that's just my opinion. In previous editions, monsters who had access to numerous buffs from spells or spell-like abilities were certainly near the top, if not at the very top of the list. I would imagine that holds true for 4E, but I am not sufficiently experienced with the new edition to say so for sure. Still, I hope that you have started a lively debate! Thanks for letting me put in my two coppers.
(Psi)SeveredHead
Adventurer
That's what they were. They can deal 1d10+9 damage, too much for their level. In the first encounter, I believe one character got bit by two of them (max damage each time) and another character got critted. I distinctly recall announcing 38 damage twice. (Ow.)
Also, vampire spawn. They were over-leveled in KotS, so it's probably not really fair to put them in this thread, but effective 1 hit point minions should not be able to kick that much butt. (The Orcus Underpriest in that same encounter also seemed overpowered, but I think there was a typo in the damage stats.)
Starsunder
Explorer
No offense intended, but a DM with half a brain can make almost any monster a very difficult challenge for almost any party. I mean, the DM is in total control of all of the circumstances of the combat, what healing resources the monsters do or do not have, and all other aspects of the combat.
That being said, the monsters that you have mentioned are certainly capable of winning against many parties. Particularly those who are ill-prepared or even those who have terrible luck with attack/damage rolls.
But, hey, that's just my opinion. In previous editions, monsters who had access to numerous buffs from spells or spell-like abilities were certainly near the top, if not at the very top of the list. I would imagine that holds true for 4E, but I am not sufficiently experienced with the new edition to say so for sure. Still, I hope that you have started a lively debate! Thanks for letting me put in my two coppers.
No offense taken.
It's true that the DM has control over when and where (and by whom) the PC's are attacked; however, some monsters, no matter where they are, and when they attack, are just plain hellish. Sometimes it's easy to tell from looking at a stat block; other times the monster needs a live playtest to see how deadly they are or aren't.
Im just curious to hear people's stories and opinions on what they think pound for pound some of the toughest monsters are. It also enlightens me for those monsters that I havent used: see the Balhannoth.
And no thanks needed; glad to have you
Starsunder
Explorer
Hmmmm....this is the opposite of what the thread is about, but what the hell: does anyone else think that the Tarrasque is horribly underpowered in terms of damage output? It seems pretty pathetic for a level 30 solo brute.
UngeheuerLich
Legend
I have the feeling drakes were somhow overseen when damage/hp ratio was changed...
Plane Sailing
Astral Admin - Mwahahaha!
Any time you find yourself starting a post with "no offense intended", just don't write it. Otherwise you are likely to find yourself banned.
Just a warning this time.
OK?
Leif
Adventurer
Roger that! I appreciate your withholding of the BanHammer! Won't happen again. EVER.
Allow me to apologize again, Starsunder. Obviously, I posted without adequate prior thought. I'll just leave it at that.
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gribble
Explorer
Wights. Highest damage in the game, because each hit effectively deals 1/4 your max HP...
Not only is it painful, but it also contributes to the 15 min adventuring day... a problem which, despite initial claims to the contrary, actually seems worse not better in 4e. While players can continue fighting without daily powers, once you're out of surges pressing on is pretty much a death sentence IME.
Not only is it painful, but it also contributes to the 15 min adventuring day... a problem which, despite initial claims to the contrary, actually seems worse not better in 4e. While players can continue fighting without daily powers, once you're out of surges pressing on is pretty much a death sentence IME.
FreeTheSlaves
Adventurer
Agreed about the Wights attack on healing surges. All it's going to do is make the adventure stop/start.
Wraiths look quite poor imo. The insubstantial, weakness, regeneration, and ability to ignore terrain just makes these guys look painful and unfun to play.
Actually I think the insubstantial trait is at fault. Ignoring terrain in a tactical board game? A 2nd source for half damage? I'll run one of these guys and see how it plays but if the feedback is what I think It'll be - I'll simply not use it (& similar creatures). Too much effort to fix.
I'm adding guard drakes to my hit list. Basically anything that breaks the defined math is going to get whacked heavily with the nerf stick.
Wraiths look quite poor imo. The insubstantial, weakness, regeneration, and ability to ignore terrain just makes these guys look painful and unfun to play.
Actually I think the insubstantial trait is at fault. Ignoring terrain in a tactical board game? A 2nd source for half damage? I'll run one of these guys and see how it plays but if the feedback is what I think It'll be - I'll simply not use it (& similar creatures). Too much effort to fix.
I'm adding guard drakes to my hit list. Basically anything that breaks the defined math is going to get whacked heavily with the nerf stick.
