Adventure advice for the DM [Archive] - Wizards Community

Adventure advice for the DM [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Elrusco
03-03-07, 08:59 PM would this be to powerful for a party of 11 3rd levels?
a Juvenile Green Dragon, CR:8

this thread is for DMs to ask questions about their adventures, everybody's imput is welcome
StoneStokes
03-03-07, 10:28 PM would this be to powerful for a party of 11 3rd levels?
a Juvenile Green Dragon, CR:8

Even with so many characters, I would predict the dragon to win this one. He should be able to kill about one character just about every round. And he is likely to kill multiple characters on the rounds that he employs his breath weapon. Of course this depends heavily on what terrain the battle takes place in. Out in the open, the dragon will maul this party; inside a cavern just large enough for the party to spread out, but small enough to limit the dragon's flying ability and they might stand a chance. If they have time to buff, and haven't used most of their spells before this encounter also greatly increases their odds.

My estimate is that 11 3rd-level characters should be able to handle a CR 6 encounter using about 20% of their resources.
Seeker95
03-04-07, 09:53 AM The dragon will lose, *if* the breath weapon in the first round does not kill all of the party first. But the party will lose a lot of PCs in the process. It is not an appropriate encounter. Large groups are better challenged by large groups of equivalent power opponents, not by more powerful solo monsters.
Micah
03-04-07, 02:52 PM You're asking for dead PCs here. In my experience, dragons are significantly harder than their CRs let on, especially the younger ones.

Do the PCs know about the dragon? Its color? Does it know about them? Will they probably get a surprise round? Will they be buffed? These are all things to take into account.

Like was previously said, the environment will also play a huge role. A cramped area where it can't fly and can be flanked is wildly different than an open field where it does flybys with its breath weapon.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Elrusco 03-03-07, 08:59 PM	would this be to powerful for a party of 11 3rd levels? a Juvenile Green Dragon, CR:8 this thread is for DMs to ask questions about their adventures, everybody's imput is welcome
StoneStokes 03-03-07, 10:28 PM	would this be to powerful for a party of 11 3rd levels? a Juvenile Green Dragon, CR:8 Even with so many characters, I would predict the dragon to win this one. He should be able to kill about one character just about every round. And he is likely to kill multiple characters on the rounds that he employs his breath weapon. Of course this depends heavily on what terrain the battle takes place in. Out in the open, the dragon will maul this party; inside a cavern just large enough for the party to spread out, but small enough to limit the dragon's flying ability and they might stand a chance. If they have time to buff, and haven't used most of their spells before this encounter also greatly increases their odds. My estimate is that 11 3rd-level characters should be able to handle a CR 6 encounter using about 20% of their resources.
Seeker95 03-04-07, 09:53 AM	The dragon will lose, if the breath weapon in the first round does not kill all of the party first. But the party will lose a lot of PCs in the process. It is not an appropriate encounter. Large groups are better challenged by large groups of equivalent power opponents, not by more powerful solo monsters.
Micah 03-04-07, 02:52 PM	You're asking for dead PCs here. In my experience, dragons are significantly harder than their CRs let on, especially the younger ones. Do the PCs know about the dragon? Its color? Does it know about them? Will they probably get a surprise round? Will they be buffed? These are all things to take into account. Like was previously said, the environment will also play a huge role. A cramped area where it can't fly and can be flanked is wildly different than an open field where it does flybys with its breath weapon.