Post/Author/DateTime	Post
windquake 04-18-05, 11:31 AM	I basically randomized encounters for when the party is travelling, so they could run into anything from a single kobold up to a mated pair of ancient red dragons, no matter their level. The party is 10th level, and I only had 3 players. They ran up against a pair of Cinder Swarms (MM3) that were torching a village (and the villagers) and engaged them. The Cinder Swarms are CR: 13, and here is my question. Did I run them incorrectly? The party wiped them out with only one character being injured down to about 25% of his hit points. The other characters were maybe down 25-50%. The party pretty much wiped them out with no problem. It was over in less than 10 rounds. From what I get the Cinder Swarms powers are: When they swarm over a character, did the damage (4d6), did some fire damage (3d6), forced the Reflex save or the target caught fire. Evertime a character attacked them in melee, they had to make a reflex save or catch on fire. Basically that is it. Now, being a swarm they have these powers: If someone starts their turn in a swarm they face distraction (Fort save or be nausiated, even if they make it, they need a concentration check to cast). They can't be targeted by spells that target individual spells (well they can, they just do nothing for the most part). From what I understand, that is it. I know the swarms have a vulnerability against area effect spells, but none of those were used. So, did I do anything wrong? Did I miss something? -Windquake
Thuragrun 04-18-05, 11:38 AM	Did you take into account the cinder swarm's weapon damage immunities? I am assuming not. What classes were the PCs'.
Zagan 04-18-05, 11:43 AM	you probably didnt read the swarm traits at the end of MM III. Fine swarms are immune to weapon dmg. and are not subject to crits
windquake 04-19-05, 01:15 PM	Well that would assume I am a competent DM. :) Actually, I did read the Swarm descriptions, just I missed those couple of sentances. Oh well, my first swarm encounter. The characters will not be so lucky next time! -Windquake
Thuragrun 04-19-05, 01:27 PM	Good thing you played them wrong. Played correctly, you would have probably had a TPK (total party kill) on your hands. Swarms can be very tough to impossible, especially when you have a melee heavy party.
windquake 04-20-05, 09:47 AM	Good thing you played them wrong. Played correctly, you would have probably had a TPK (total party kill) on your hands. Swarms can be very tough to impossible, especially when you have a melee heavy party. No doubt. I am glad I did then, I am not a fan of the TPK, it is just too easy to do, you know, when you control the universe. ;) -Windquake