Aboleth too much for my players? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Aboleth too much for my players? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
RellenMarn
10-31-06, 01:08 PM I am considering unleashing an Aboleth as the final encounter in a Dungeon against 6 level 5 players. At CR 7 it seems like a fine, but challenging encounter.

However, looking at the Aboleth and the character's will saves, I am thinking TPK might not be unlikely.

What I am thinking of doing is having the Aboleth attack the party on a row boat. But that would increase the CR by at least two if I am right in my estimation. So how about in a pool in a cave (with an exit to the freshwater sea).

Any thoughts, advice, much appreciated.
Senevri
10-31-06, 01:49 PM Do your players have access to "Remove Disease"? If not, is there a nearby Wandering Cleric Table, and can they afford "heal"?

If you answered "No" to both, don't use the Aboleth.

If they're surprised, they might not have much chance. If they're forewarned or prepared... Well, then, if they die, it's their fault.

If the players are devastated by Enslave or it's psi abilities... well, maybe the thing'll have something besides dinner planned for them, then. Plothook time!

In melee, the Aboleth isn't all that. Dead in six rounds, tops.
RellenMarn
10-31-06, 01:56 PM Oh sorry salient information here, this is a one shot game last encounter so TPK is not the huge concern it normally would be (though still a concern).

They do have access to a Cleric who can Heal after a 3 hour boat trip, through cool fresh water.

They have a pretty good idea they will be faceing an Aboleth. I am really just trying to make sure it will not be too overwhelming to be fun.
White_Wizard
10-31-06, 02:03 PM I am considering unleashing an Aboleth as the final encounter in a Dungeon against 6 level 5 players. At CR 7 it seems like a fine, but challenging encounter.

However, looking at the Aboleth and the character's will saves, I am thinking TPK might not be unlikely.

What I am thinking of doing is having the Aboleth attack the party on a row boat. But that would increase the CR by at least two if I am right in my estimation. So how about in a pool in a cave (with an exit to the freshwater sea).

Any thoughts, advice, much appreciated.
I think it's good: players are in numbers, the CR is not that impossible.
First: set the aboleth's tactics (it is a clever being, so make them tricky - don't fear to make them difficult: it is expected for a final encounter to be damn though).
Set an ambient (this should be done in two steps: the first before thinking the tactics; with the 2nd step you will add element that will ease Pcs' life if cleverly used).
Put hints about the incoming fight in the dungeon (some aboleth-transformed slave as an encounter (knowledge roll to recognise it if they never faced such foe), scrolls with spells useful against an aboleth (mind shield or spells that enhance STs and so on), potions of water breathing and so on).

Edit: I didn't read the part in which you say they know they are going to face an aboleth. My bad.
Morrowner
10-31-06, 02:10 PM I always thought that the Aboleth CR was off by 1. This will be one hell of a fight for the party and it is unlikely they'll win without casualties.
Keep in mind that a DC 17 will save is going to be very hard for some characters to pass so the Enslave and all the illusion abilities are very effective. Don't forget about slime, that DC 19 ability is harsh unless a cleric can cast Remove Disease. Being 5th level they won't be able to do that.The aboleth also has Mucus Cloud another great ability with a high save DC that could wreck somebody if the fight goes to water. Their full roud attack is also fierce. I'd say try to think of a more appropriate monster. Aboleths are seriously bad news.
Edit: 6 people? That changes everything. Someone could get killed, though.
Armoracia Rusticana
10-31-06, 02:40 PM If I were Aboleth, I would Enslave some brute in a boat to throw spellcasters out of it. Or to flip a boat over. Then a party would find itself in a cold water (not everyone is a master swimmer, you know). Probably casters would have troubles casting spells - they tent to drown (no verbal components) - or they tend to swim intensively (no somatic ones). That is my thoughts of how swimming casting works (IMHO, it doesn't). Heavy armored warriors drown. Most weapons are useless in water. Aboleth has a nice grapple modifier! Grab anyone, swim deep into the water. Rinse, repeat... OK, 5-th level warriors aren't going to be a problem. One of them would probably Enslaved... So concentrate on casters and experts. Then finish party off..
bholdr_mage
10-31-06, 03:09 PM Yeah, just don't use the aboleth to run into melee with the pc's on a row boat. Just use a big fish.

Aboleths are probably one of the MOST clever and horrible creatures in the game. If ran correctly, I'd much rather prefer fighting a beholder or an illithid ANY day. In fact, I think I'd rather fight a dragon, because at least I'd know what to expect.

And what do you mean that the characters know they are fighting an aboleth? Aboleths are alien beings. Read that chapter on them in lords of madness and you'll know what I'm talking about
RellenMarn
10-31-06, 08:31 PM Well they know that the World has fresh water seas purely because I am an Aboleth fan boy. As it is a two shot game I am not too worried about Meta game thinking, plus Aboleth's are pretty well known in this World as they are so prevalent.

I need to read Lords of Madness, I am just going by the Monster Manual. Wait until they meet my Aboleth Alienist..... Bwah hahahahah!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
RellenMarn 10-31-06, 01:08 PM	I am considering unleashing an Aboleth as the final encounter in a Dungeon against 6 level 5 players. At CR 7 it seems like a fine, but challenging encounter. However, looking at the Aboleth and the character's will saves, I am thinking TPK might not be unlikely. What I am thinking of doing is having the Aboleth attack the party on a row boat. But that would increase the CR by at least two if I am right in my estimation. So how about in a pool in a cave (with an exit to the freshwater sea). Any thoughts, advice, much appreciated.
Senevri 10-31-06, 01:49 PM	Do your players have access to "Remove Disease"? If not, is there a nearby Wandering Cleric Table, and can they afford "heal"? If you answered "No" to both, don't use the Aboleth. If they're surprised, they might not have much chance. If they're forewarned or prepared... Well, then, if they die, it's their fault. If the players are devastated by Enslave or it's psi abilities... well, maybe the thing'll have something besides dinner planned for them, then. Plothook time! In melee, the Aboleth isn't all that. Dead in six rounds, tops.
RellenMarn 10-31-06, 01:56 PM	Oh sorry salient information here, this is a one shot game last encounter so TPK is not the huge concern it normally would be (though still a concern). They do have access to a Cleric who can Heal after a 3 hour boat trip, through cool fresh water. They have a pretty good idea they will be faceing an Aboleth. I am really just trying to make sure it will not be too overwhelming to be fun.
White_Wizard 10-31-06, 02:03 PM	I am considering unleashing an Aboleth as the final encounter in a Dungeon against 6 level 5 players. At CR 7 it seems like a fine, but challenging encounter. However, looking at the Aboleth and the character's will saves, I am thinking TPK might not be unlikely. What I am thinking of doing is having the Aboleth attack the party on a row boat. But that would increase the CR by at least two if I am right in my estimation. So how about in a pool in a cave (with an exit to the freshwater sea). Any thoughts, advice, much appreciated. I think it's good: players are in numbers, the CR is not that impossible. First: set the aboleth's tactics (it is a clever being, so make them tricky - don't fear to make them difficult: it is expected for a final encounter to be damn though). Set an ambient (this should be done in two steps: the first before thinking the tactics; with the 2nd step you will add element that will ease Pcs' life if cleverly used). Put hints about the incoming fight in the dungeon (some aboleth-transformed slave as an encounter (knowledge roll to recognise it if they never faced such foe), scrolls with spells useful against an aboleth (mind shield or spells that enhance STs and so on), potions of water breathing and so on). Edit: I didn't read the part in which you say they know they are going to face an aboleth. My bad.
Morrowner 10-31-06, 02:10 PM	I always thought that the Aboleth CR was off by 1. This will be one hell of a fight for the party and it is unlikely they'll win without casualties. Keep in mind that a DC 17 will save is going to be very hard for some characters to pass so the Enslave and all the illusion abilities are very effective. Don't forget about slime, that DC 19 ability is harsh unless a cleric can cast Remove Disease. Being 5th level they won't be able to do that.The aboleth also has Mucus Cloud another great ability with a high save DC that could wreck somebody if the fight goes to water. Their full roud attack is also fierce. I'd say try to think of a more appropriate monster. Aboleths are seriously bad news. Edit: 6 people? That changes everything. Someone could get killed, though.
Armoracia Rusticana 10-31-06, 02:40 PM	If I were Aboleth, I would Enslave some brute in a boat to throw spellcasters out of it. Or to flip a boat over. Then a party would find itself in a cold water (not everyone is a master swimmer, you know). Probably casters would have troubles casting spells - they tent to drown (no verbal components) - or they tend to swim intensively (no somatic ones). That is my thoughts of how swimming casting works (IMHO, it doesn't). Heavy armored warriors drown. Most weapons are useless in water. Aboleth has a nice grapple modifier! Grab anyone, swim deep into the water. Rinse, repeat... OK, 5-th level warriors aren't going to be a problem. One of them would probably Enslaved... So concentrate on casters and experts. Then finish party off..
bholdr_mage 10-31-06, 03:09 PM	Yeah, just don't use the aboleth to run into melee with the pc's on a row boat. Just use a big fish. Aboleths are probably one of the MOST clever and horrible creatures in the game. If ran correctly, I'd much rather prefer fighting a beholder or an illithid ANY day. In fact, I think I'd rather fight a dragon, because at least I'd know what to expect. And what do you mean that the characters know they are fighting an aboleth? Aboleths are alien beings. Read that chapter on them in lords of madness and you'll know what I'm talking about
RellenMarn 10-31-06, 08:31 PM	Well they know that the World has fresh water seas purely because I am an Aboleth fan boy. As it is a two shot game I am not too worried about Meta game thinking, plus Aboleth's are pretty well known in this World as they are so prevalent. I need to read Lords of Madness, I am just going by the Monster Manual. Wait until they meet my Aboleth Alienist..... Bwah hahahahah!