Watershed events in D&D campaigns

[Quasqueton]

What are the common watershed moments in most PCs' careers?

For instance:

At low levels, a single ogre is a tough opponent. It often takes the whole party's efforts to down one. But then, at about 4th or 5th level, the PC fighter ends up one-on-one with an ogre, and drops it single-handedly.

Or when the PC mage throws his first fireball, killing three-quarters of the charging orc war party.

Or when the PC rogue finally has enough sneak attack dice that he gets off more damage in a flanking position than the fighter is doing.

Or when the PC cleric opens his first gate to another plane and draws out an otherwordly ally.

Or when the PC druid can wildshape.

Etc.


In my campaign, the PCs have often been up against some fiendish/half-fiend treants. Every fight with even just one has pretty much taken the entire party's attention. But in this last game session, the PC fighter (supported with a handful of buffs) managed to take one down single-handedly (while the other PCs dealt with other combatants). That, to me (as the DM), was a watershed event.

What do you consider a standard watershed event regarding D&D gaming? And what have been some unusual such events in your particular campaigns?

Quasqueton

 

[Storminator]

Right before I retired my epic monk/shadowdancer, I got to use all his cool powers at once. I did Abundant Step to the combat scene, which was in tense standoff moment. I Hid in Plain Sight, waiting for the right moment; the bad guy appeared so I Empty Bodied into the jail cell. The bad guy full round sneak attacked my pal for a horrendous amount of damage. I Quivering Palmed him. He died.

Didn't seem like much point in playing a monk after that.

PS

 

[Bullgrit]

What do you consider a standard watershed event regarding D&D gaming? And what have been some unusual such events in your particular campaigns?

Back in my old, old AD&D game, when the party magic-user finally made it to 5th level and took fireball -- his first use nearly killed the entire party because of the AD&D rule of expanding to fill full volume. That was a watershed event that prompted our adventures out of the dungeon and into the wilderness.

In my previous D&D3 game, it was when the party wizard reached 9th level and got teleport. Because most of the campaign has involved a great deal of travel distance/time, suddenly jumping from place to place instantly completely changed the campaign.

In my current D&D3 game, it was when the dual-knife fighter reached 6th level and got Improved Two Weapon fighting. Getting two attack a round was not so unusual or impressive, but suddenly jumping up to 4 attacks a round, whoa boy! The first time he used all 4 attacks in a fight, all the players were taken aback and impressed.

Bullgrit

 

[blargney the second]

I just had one last night! My druid distracted a camp full of enemies by dropping destructive spells on their heads whlie flying wild-shaped. Very fun

-blarg

 

[Phaedrus]

Mechanics-wise, Fighters getting to 6th level always seems like a big deal. Now moving and attacking costs you an extra attack, where before it did not. Instead of charging in, now they must consider staying put and letting the monsters come to them. Maybe I read more into it than is warranted, but it is a big shift for me.

 

[arwink]

The watershed moment in my current campaign probably came when the party druid and sorcerer were stuck fighting an troll wearing a cloak of fire resistance that protected it from their scorching rays, flaming spheres and flame blade attacks. They immediately launched into a co-ordinated attack, with the druid taking the attack of opportunity and disarming the cloak, while the sorcerer used an unseen servant to drag the cloak out of the ogres reach. They then proceeded to pound the troll into the dusty with concentrated firepower.

Both the players involved were relatively new, and this was the first time they'd worked out a viable tactic using the d20 rules for themselves instead of relying on the other party members.