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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Clint_L" data-source="post: 9736872" data-attributes="member: 7035894">I’ve gotten around the excess rolling by turning minion attacks and traps into lair actions.Edit: should probably better explain. Example: in a recent pirate ship battle, the ship's crew was assisting the PCs against the big band and a few of his henchmen, all quite tough. Rather than add 20 NPC pirate attacks to the battle, I just made a pirate ship lair action chart (in this case, the lair actions were on the side of the party) and on initiative 15 and 5 one of the players would roll a dice and some pirates would pop out and do something entertaining and useful in a small way. Here's the chart:<h3>Deck Ambush:</h3>1. Deck Ambush: A hidden crew member bursts from a storage hatch, curtain, or vent and ambushes a foe.Mechanics: One enemy within 30 feet of the party takes 2d6 + 3 piercing damage and must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.Flavour Text: A trapdoor bursts open as a gnome crewman leaps out, dagger-first. “Surprise, bastard!”2. Sabotage the Offense: Crew cut a rigging line, loosen ballast, or swing a loaded crate to disrupt the enemy.Mechanics: All enemies in a 20-foot line must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or take 2d10 bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone.Flavour Text: With a snap of rope and a creak of pulleys, a heavy crate swings like a pendulum into Redhand’s Anointed.3. Patch and Rally: A trusted crewmember provides quick aid or covering fire.Mechanics: One party member regains 1d8 + 3 HP, ends the frightened or grappled condition, or gains advantage on their next attack roll or saving throw before the end of their next turn.Flavour Text: From the shadows, a familiar voice hisses, “Drink this, quick!” as a flask or potion is tossed into their hands.4. Flashpowder Barrage: A crew member tosses a flashpowder charge or fire-cracker mix from a hidden stash, temporarily blinding or disorienting enemies.Mechanics: All enemies within a 10-foot radius of a point within 60 feet must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be blinded until the start of their next turn. On a success, they have disadvantage on their next attack roll instead.Flavour Text: A hatch clatters open above, and with a hiss and a boom, the targeted area fills with smoke and blinding light. “Compliments of the Ember Lynx!”5. Crossfire Trap: Hidden crew members spring a trap with crossbows or thrown weapons from elevated positions—like rafters, the stairs, or behind barrels.Mechanics: Up to two enemies within 60 feet must each make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or take 3d6 piercing damage (half on success).Flavour Text: From the catwalk above, twin bolts fly like lightning. A voice snarls, “Ain’t your ship, Redhand!”6. Hook and Haul: A crew member uses a grappling hook, boarding pike, or net to yank an enemy out of position.Mechanics: One Large or smaller enemy within 30 feet must make a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be pulled 15 feet and restrained (escape DC 14) as they’re yanked into rigging, pinned under debris, or tangled in rope.Flavour Text: A hooked pike lashes out from the shadows, catching an Anointed by the leg and dragging them screaming into the cargo netting.</blockquote>

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