Help me Optimize this encounter (From Grasp of the Emerald Claw) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Help me Optimize this encounter (From Grasp of the Emerald Claw) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
kntshade
08-17-05, 05:30 PM I also posted this on the Optimization Boards, but I figured I would post here too since it has to do with scaling up encounters in Grasp of the Emerald Claw, and may be useful for anyone running higher level characters through that module.

Goal: To create a scary and unique challenge for 12th level characters.

Situation: Island Encounter from the Eberron Adventure “Grasp of the Emerald Claw” on page 9 of the module. The PCs have to defend the Sea Dart while it is being repaired from Sahuagin attacks.

Terrain: The tip of a spire of rock sticking up out of the water (One of the teeth in Shargons Teeth). Not sure how big, but I want it to be a fairly small area, to make it easier for a PC to be shoved into the water by big brutish Sahuagin.

The Attackers: A challenging number of Sahuagin Barbarians with Nets maybe? (the party already killed their Druid leader). And several Mobs of Sharks (using the Mob rules from the DMG II).

This stat block may not be perfect as it was created using Jamis Bucks NPC generator.

Sahuagin Barbarians 6: CR 8; Size M (5 ft., 7 in. tall); HD 2d8+10 + 6d12+30; hp 97; Init +2 (+2 Dex); Spd 40 ft. Swim 60ft; AC 17 (+2 Dex, +5 Natural); Attack +13/+8 melee, or +9/+4 ranged; SV Fort +15, Ref +4, Will +5; AL NE; Str 23, Dex 14, Con 20, Int 16, Wis 17, Cha 13.

Attack: Talon (1d4+7) or trident (1d8+7) or heavy crossbow +3 ranged (1d10/19–20)
Full Attack: Trident (1d8+7) and bite +13 melee (1d4+7); or 2 talons (1d4+7) and bite (1d4+7); or heavy crossbow +9 ranged (1d10/19–20)

Languages Spoken: Aquan, Giant, Goblin, Orc, Undercommon.

Skill points: Bbn 63
Skills and feats: Animal empathy +4, Craft +12, Handle animal +7, Hide +7, Intimidate +8, Intuit direction +12, Listen +17, Move silently +2, Open lock +4.5, Perform +2.5, Profession +4, Spot +9, Swim +13, Wilderness lore +11; Power Attack, Improved Bullrush, [Multiattack], Cleave.

Feeding Frenzy (Mob of Blood Crazed Sharks)
N Gargantuan Animal (mob of Large Animals)
Init: +6; Senses: Blind Sense, Keen Scent.
AC:11
HP: 195
Fort: +19 Ref: +18 Will +9
Speed: Swim 60 ft.
Melee: Mob (gnashing biting teeth) 5d6 damage straight up no roll needed.
Space: 20 ft.; Reach: 0 ft.
Base Atk: +22 Grp: +39
Atk Options: Expert Grappler (Possibility of being drowned when grappled)
Abilities: Str 21, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 1, Wis 10, Cha 2
SQ: Mob Anatomy
Feats: Alertness, Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Overrun.
Skills: Listen +10, Spot +10, Swim +13

Tactics: The Sahuagin will leap onto the tiny island of Rock that the PCs are on and attempt to either drag or bull rush them off into the waters frothing with sharks, where they will be eaten or drowned, or both.

Optimization Needed: How to make these Sahuagin truly scary at knocking people into the water? So far my only ideas are Nets (not sure if you can actually drag someone trapped in a net?) And Improved Bullrush…

Any ideas you have would be most appreciated and helpful!
Altaris13
08-17-05, 05:51 PM I refer you to the grapple rules. It really isn't that difficult to move your opponent if you can "pin" them.
kntshade
08-17-05, 06:22 PM Grapple…. Hmmmm I just re-read that section and it doesn’t SEEM that hard, but in my experience it is pretty difficult to actually successfully pin someone, even with a strong grappler, simply with the large number of checks that need to be made (this just allows one of the PCs friends to come in and save them). However, once pinned, if the PC fails yet ANOTHER grapple check the Sahuagin can move them 15 feet (half of their land based speed). Depending on how far they are from the water, this could be bad for the PCs. So that IS one idea.

I also started thinking about what the weather would be like once the Sea Dart surfaced to make repairs to their elemental ring (which was damaged by a Dire Shark, prompting them to surface to make repairs). I would imagine if there was any kind of wind at all, or even a light storm the waves would come crashing over the rocky islet and make staying on it very difficult (anyone know the general weather conditions in the Shargons Teeth?). This would also favor the Sahuagin (clouds to alleviate their light sensitivity) and waves causing PCs to have to make checks to stay on the island as well. Though, this could make things extremely bad, because with enough wave action it could be hazardous for the Sea Dart to be anywhere near the rocks on the surface or else it would get further damaged.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
kntshade 08-17-05, 05:30 PM	I also posted this on the Optimization Boards, but I figured I would post here too since it has to do with scaling up encounters in Grasp of the Emerald Claw, and may be useful for anyone running higher level characters through that module. Goal: To create a scary and unique challenge for 12th level characters. Situation: Island Encounter from the Eberron Adventure “Grasp of the Emerald Claw” on page 9 of the module. The PCs have to defend the Sea Dart while it is being repaired from Sahuagin attacks. Terrain: The tip of a spire of rock sticking up out of the water (One of the teeth in Shargons Teeth). Not sure how big, but I want it to be a fairly small area, to make it easier for a PC to be shoved into the water by big brutish Sahuagin. The Attackers: A challenging number of Sahuagin Barbarians with Nets maybe? (the party already killed their Druid leader). And several Mobs of Sharks (using the Mob rules from the DMG II). This stat block may not be perfect as it was created using Jamis Bucks NPC generator. Sahuagin Barbarians 6: CR 8; Size M (5 ft., 7 in. tall); HD 2d8+10 + 6d12+30; hp 97; Init +2 (+2 Dex); Spd 40 ft. Swim 60ft; AC 17 (+2 Dex, +5 Natural); Attack +13/+8 melee, or +9/+4 ranged; SV Fort +15, Ref +4, Will +5; AL NE; Str 23, Dex 14, Con 20, Int 16, Wis 17, Cha 13. Attack: Talon (1d4+7) or trident (1d8+7) or heavy crossbow +3 ranged (1d10/19–20) Full Attack: Trident (1d8+7) and bite +13 melee (1d4+7); or 2 talons (1d4+7) and bite (1d4+7); or heavy crossbow +9 ranged (1d10/19–20) Languages Spoken: Aquan, Giant, Goblin, Orc, Undercommon. Skill points: Bbn 63 Skills and feats: Animal empathy +4, Craft +12, Handle animal +7, Hide +7, Intimidate +8, Intuit direction +12, Listen +17, Move silently +2, Open lock +4.5, Perform +2.5, Profession +4, Spot +9, Swim +13, Wilderness lore +11; Power Attack, Improved Bullrush, [Multiattack], Cleave. Feeding Frenzy (Mob of Blood Crazed Sharks) N Gargantuan Animal (mob of Large Animals) Init: +6; Senses: Blind Sense, Keen Scent. AC:11 HP: 195 Fort: +19 Ref: +18 Will +9 Speed: Swim 60 ft. Melee: Mob (gnashing biting teeth) 5d6 damage straight up no roll needed. Space: 20 ft.; Reach: 0 ft. Base Atk: +22 Grp: +39 Atk Options: Expert Grappler (Possibility of being drowned when grappled) Abilities: Str 21, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 1, Wis 10, Cha 2 SQ: Mob Anatomy Feats: Alertness, Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Overrun. Skills: Listen +10, Spot +10, Swim +13 Tactics: The Sahuagin will leap onto the tiny island of Rock that the PCs are on and attempt to either drag or bull rush them off into the waters frothing with sharks, where they will be eaten or drowned, or both. Optimization Needed: How to make these Sahuagin truly scary at knocking people into the water? So far my only ideas are Nets (not sure if you can actually drag someone trapped in a net?) And Improved Bullrush… Any ideas you have would be most appreciated and helpful!
Altaris13 08-17-05, 05:51 PM	I refer you to the grapple rules. It really isn't that difficult to move your opponent if you can "pin" them.
kntshade 08-17-05, 06:22 PM	Grapple…. Hmmmm I just re-read that section and it doesn’t SEEM that hard, but in my experience it is pretty difficult to actually successfully pin someone, even with a strong grappler, simply with the large number of checks that need to be made (this just allows one of the PCs friends to come in and save them). However, once pinned, if the PC fails yet ANOTHER grapple check the Sahuagin can move them 15 feet (half of their land based speed). Depending on how far they are from the water, this could be bad for the PCs. So that IS one idea. I also started thinking about what the weather would be like once the Sea Dart surfaced to make repairs to their elemental ring (which was damaged by a Dire Shark, prompting them to surface to make repairs). I would imagine if there was any kind of wind at all, or even a light storm the waves would come crashing over the rocky islet and make staying on it very difficult (anyone know the general weather conditions in the Shargons Teeth?). This would also favor the Sahuagin (clouds to alleviate their light sensitivity) and waves causing PCs to have to make checks to stay on the island as well. Though, this could make things extremely bad, because with enough wave action it could be hazardous for the Sea Dart to be anywhere near the rocks on the surface or else it would get further damaged.