Etherial Marauder question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Etherial Marauder question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Dreamer3333
10-06-06, 01:08 PM Hey,
Am i missing something here?
I know they're only CR3, but how are they AT ALL a problem?
They only have 11hp (as written) and a crap AC.
They get one surprise round to appear and attack, and then basically, one PC readied attack kills them when they show up again.
Is there any rules for noticing them return, to get to act or anything? Seems like they do their 1d6+3 damage, and then someone says "i ready my action to attack it when it/they shows up again". Game over.

Thoughts?

- Dreamer
Rickiel
10-06-06, 04:47 PM Oh yes, they can definately be a hassle for PC's.

Now let's think on this.

"I ready an action to whack it when it decides to show up again!"

That's nice, prepared to strike, one hit should kill it quick. Really thought out.

Now where is it going to show up? Right in front of them?

BAH!

Bah I say! Ethereal Marauder's are INTELLIGENT! Not the smartest outfit in the MM true, but they have more brains than the Tarrasque!

Now let's think about this a little bit more shall we? First of all, I suggest that you don't send Ethereal Marauder's at the PC's one at a time. Nonono. Get about four of them. Have each of them surround and flank one PC, jaunt in for the surprise round, strike. Then use a simple move action to jaunt back out into the ethereal.

What's this? The PC is readying an action? Okay, force the PC to either make a Listen or Spot check to notice the EM that isn't attacking en masse.

Or better yet. Let the marauders just 'stalk' the PC's. Wait them out until they drop their guard. Then repeat the mass sneak attack!

Oooh there's an idea! They can be advanced with rogue levels!

PERFECT!

Played right, ethereal marauders are scary. I should know. I've been using them in my d20 Future campaign that I'm currently running.

And the PC's, with their grenades, rocket launchers, beam swords, semi-automatic laser rifles, and all that other bunch of fancy tech; are scared :censored: of them!

It appears, mon ami, that I have been doing my job right :evillaugh
runestar
10-06-06, 11:39 PM They get one surprise round to appear and attack, and then basically, one PC readied attack kills them when they show up again.
And how will you know when they will be reappearing? It could be anytime, say when your party is resting for the night...in the middle of battling some orcs...when your fighter is taking a potty break...;)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Dreamer3333 10-06-06, 01:08 PM	Hey, Am i missing something here? I know they're only CR3, but how are they AT ALL a problem? They only have 11hp (as written) and a crap AC. They get one surprise round to appear and attack, and then basically, one PC readied attack kills them when they show up again. Is there any rules for noticing them return, to get to act or anything? Seems like they do their 1d6+3 damage, and then someone says "i ready my action to attack it when it/they shows up again". Game over. Thoughts? - Dreamer
Rickiel 10-06-06, 04:47 PM	Oh yes, they can definately be a hassle for PC's. Now let's think on this. "I ready an action to whack it when it decides to show up again!" That's nice, prepared to strike, one hit should kill it quick. Really thought out. Now where is it going to show up? Right in front of them? BAH! Bah I say! Ethereal Marauder's are INTELLIGENT! Not the smartest outfit in the MM true, but they have more brains than the Tarrasque! Now let's think about this a little bit more shall we? First of all, I suggest that you don't send Ethereal Marauder's at the PC's one at a time. Nonono. Get about four of them. Have each of them surround and flank one PC, jaunt in for the surprise round, strike. Then use a simple move action to jaunt back out into the ethereal. What's this? The PC is readying an action? Okay, force the PC to either make a Listen or Spot check to notice the EM that isn't attacking en masse. Or better yet. Let the marauders just 'stalk' the PC's. Wait them out until they drop their guard. Then repeat the mass sneak attack! Oooh there's an idea! They can be advanced with rogue levels! PERFECT! Played right, ethereal marauders are scary. I should know. I've been using them in my d20 Future campaign that I'm currently running. And the PC's, with their grenades, rocket launchers, beam swords, semi-automatic laser rifles, and all that other bunch of fancy tech; are scared :censored: of them! It appears, mon ami, that I have been doing my job right :evillaugh
runestar 10-06-06, 11:39 PM	They get one surprise round to appear and attack, and then basically, one PC readied attack kills them when they show up again. And how will you know when they will be reappearing? It could be anytime, say when your party is resting for the night...in the middle of battling some orcs...when your fighter is taking a potty break...;)