how do you kill a illithide??? [Archive] - Wizards Community

how do you kill a illithide??? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
monkey_thug
02-15-06, 11:36 PM Our DM has been hinting at that the will be a illithide soon and i was wondering how would you kill it with the minimal party loss.

our party has:
fighter2/rouge5/nightsongenforcer2
druid8
fighter2/bard3/reforged2/warchanter1
monk2/barbarian4

Please help

thanks :confused:
kinjojones
02-15-06, 11:48 PM With weapons and spells. Just try and not let it grapple you. Also buff up your will saves if you get the chance before you face it. And remember that it will probaly never be alone or unprepared for you.
TheChilliGod
02-15-06, 11:54 PM Ah, the Illithid. Mind Flayer. Tentacled One. Octopus head.

Well, today is your lucky day! WoTC released an article about dealing with those fellas last year, Here is the happy link. (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/tt/20050606a)

I like illithids. They go squelch when you lodge an axe in its head.
kraegor
02-16-06, 12:16 AM Chopping off thier head with an Greataxe always worked for me.
AlexVADnD
02-16-06, 10:21 AM To steal a line from a previous, unrelated thread:

try getting it down to -10 HP, that usually works...
darkkhaine
02-16-06, 10:35 AM i would suggest roleplaying the encounter you might not have to fight it at all.
LCD2YOU
02-16-06, 10:41 AM Things that kill Mind Flayers usually are the same things that kill other soft bodied forms.

They include but are not limited to:

1: Kinetic energy poisoning. As stated a greataxe works really, really well.

2: Gravity. Well, not specifically gravity itself but the sudden stop when the gravationally gained potential energy turns into #1. See above. This happens when you come to that sudden stop.

3: Drugs. Have cannon-fodder NPCs tripping on whatever mind affecting drug of choice you want and let the Mind Flayer eat their brains. Kill now spaced out flayer.

4: Thermal Eneergy. 20 DB Firballs that are empowered work well too.

There are many ways. Those are just a few.
Deekin
02-16-06, 01:04 PM Well, I am the DM for this game, and the party just skirmished with the Flayer. It is a psionic flayer from the XPH. Yes, I use psionics, deal with it. All but one player failed the save vs the intial stun, and that player was droped the following round with a Psychic Crush. The Flayer then left and let his minoins deal with the stunned party. Luckly, the droped player spent an AP to stabilize, then rolled well to wake up, chug a poition, and then droped all the minoins. (SA is such a great thing). I'm slightly concerned the Flayer Might be too tough. But they are going to hunt down the flayer in it's lair.

Zeck, if you open this Sblock, I will shoot you, in the face, with a hammer, During astronomy.
The Flayer is a psion 3 (CR11!) and when full buffed has 27 AC, 157 HP, and can toss of two powers a round. It also has a +10 Bonus to Initiave. Fortinlty for the players, It only has two combat powers

That, and only one player is any good at optimization.

As for tatics, I reconment from PHB
Globe of Invulnerability, Lesser: Stops 1st- through 3rd-level spell effects, *
Dimensional Anchor: Bars extradimensional movement,
Enervation: Subject gains 1d4 negative levels.
From XPH
Glossolalia,
Psychic Turmoil
Powers from XPH.
Intellect Fortress A: Those inside fortress take only half damage from all powers and psi-like abilities until your next action,
Power Leech: Drain 1d6 power points/round while you maintain concentration; you gain 1/round.
Mind Trap A: Drain 1d6 power points from anyone who attacks you with a telepathy power. Thought Shield A: Gain PR 13 against mind-affecting powers. XPH
Plinglebob
02-16-06, 01:48 PM Win initiative. CAn normally kill them before they get a chance to stun if you're quick.
kraegor
02-17-06, 03:56 AM Before you fight the ithillid, tell your party members that they attack by wrapping thier tentacles around your face, and sucking your brain.

Tell them that by smearing poo on thier faces it will repel the mindflayer from eating thier brains.

Laugh as they do it.

Then run.
6string
02-17-06, 03:43 PM I'm a Psion12/Ranger2/Illithid Slayer4 so i may not be the best person to answer this thread, but i'll try to give some advice that doesn't apply to my dedicating my career to slaying illithids and as of late, ulitharids.

Freedom of movement, your best friend with illithids

Ring of self +4 will saves

anything that boosts your will save, peiapts of wisdom for instance

if you're psionic, deep crystal materials will put em' down quicker

aberration bane weapons

as for tactics, always disable the illithid first and then the cronies, most times they'll snap out of it and you can avoid murdering the innocently dominated.

spread out, don't let him get you all with that mind blast

talk ****, illithids have big egos and calling them out is a good method of distraction if you ever need to buy some time or distract them from your party rogue

hope this helps
Frylord
02-17-06, 03:52 PM Well, first you need better grammer. THEN you can focus on killing the flayer.
shaft350x
02-17-06, 05:12 PM No no...see bad grammar is the sign of a great advantage. You see if they like brains...make sure your character has the lowest INT and WIS scores...then you will be the least appetizing... Or just go with the greataxe idea.
Adriac
02-17-06, 06:19 PM your idea would work except the fact wisdom gives will to repel illithids
Ichor Spellka
02-17-06, 09:51 PM Alright, first off, spread out. Bunching up means massive stunning potential.

Next, do not use spells that allow spell resistance. Their SR is huge, chances are less than half of the spells you cast at it will fail. If you must use these spells, use area ones and catch as many of its thralls in the blast as you can.

Freedom of movement is excellent for making sure you don't get eaten.

If you can, flank him as fast as possible. This guarantees that he can't nail you both with his mindblast at the same time without provoking some attacks.

Use the druid to scout ahead in the smallest animal form he can. Information is key. Knowing where it's waiting to ambush you is very important.

If you can make the rogue invisible, do it. Have him skirt the edges, and come in if the rest of the party gets stunned and it's about to eat. If it's about to chow down on brains, it's pretty much guaranteed to not be paying attention, and thus be flat-footed for sneak attack.

The monk barbarian should get in there as soon as possible. Rage will help a bit with the will-saves.

Have the druid cut off retreat using spells. Summons may not be too useful, but if brought in correctly, can result in the mind flayer having to spend multiple rounds to stun everyone attacking it.

The bardic music won't have much of any affect here. I would suggest using the few spells he has to buff up the party just pre-battle (if successful scouting occured) then go melee on the tentacled one.

Lastly, nice job with the psionic flayer. I always enjoy them trickier.

Good luck to the party, and the DM as well.
Black Knight Geno
02-19-06, 03:31 AM When you see the squid thingy (Stolen from OOTS) you first need a really big hammer, and then use your imagination.

Seriously, most of the above posts have good ideas, but if you happen to have a githakie, or whatever they are called, illithid hunting party with you, that illithid is so dead it is not even funny.
MazrimTaem
02-19-06, 07:24 PM Assay resistance (C.arcane) is like a battering ram against SR, giving +10 caster level against one creature...
Loki_God'o'Chaos
02-19-06, 07:40 PM Universal Solevent a pot to your head (to prevent brain theivery), then attack with Pointy sticks, try having a number in relation to # of Mind Flayers x 10 of hirelings doing this action while you throw stones at it, this will work, very often in only 4 rounds. I know this from a very low magic campiagn I was in last year
Addimarchus
02-19-06, 07:45 PM tell the druid about two naffy little spells in Lords of Madness:

Detect Abberation
level: cleric 2, druid 2, sorcerer 2/wizard 2
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: 60ft.
Area: Quater circle emanating from the character to the extreme of the range.
Duration: concentration, up to 1 minute/level(D)
Saving throw: none
Spell Resistance: no

this spell functions like detect good/evil/magi/etc.

Nature's Purity
evocation
level: Druid 3
Components: V,S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: medium (100ft.+10ft./level)
Effect: One or more rays
Duration: instantaneous
Saving throw: none
Spell Resistance: yes

A shimmering green beam of light springs forth from your outstretched hand. You can direct this ray at any target in range. If you hit the target, the ray deals 1D6 force damage.
Against undead and constructs, the ray deals 2D8 points of force damage.
Against aberrations, the ray deals 5D6 points of force damage and threatens a critical hit on a roll of 19-20. An abberation slain by this is immediately transformed into pungent-smelling inert plant matter.
You can generate one additional ray for every 4 levels above 5th (to a maximum of four rays at 17th level). The rays can be fired at the same or different targets, but all rays must be aimed at targets within 30 feet of each other.

If all else fails, just throw a japanese schoolgirl at it, that should keep it busy!
Feor
02-19-06, 10:09 PM Killing Illithids? To paraphrase a quote used often on the other boards I frequent: Plane Shift and nuke it from Sigil. It's the only way to be sure. :D
Silverthumb128
02-19-06, 11:22 PM I ha a Githzerai Monk who discovered that their soft heads really don't respond well to repeated head trauma. :D

High saves are the bane of Illithids, because if they can't pierce your mind, they have to rely upon their relatively frail physical abilities, and that really won't help them out much if they can't out-grapple you.
Shaggy_Shaggs
02-19-06, 11:32 PM Hmmm... one level of warshaper and you're immune to stunning while in alternate forms. Could be useful.
Addimarchus
02-20-06, 02:03 AM Hmmm... one level of warshaper and you're immune to stunning while in alternate forms. Could be useful.
:OMG!
i didnt know that gave them immunity to stunning as well! i know what my 17th level FR Drow were-rat will take as its PrC!

Imagine a sorcerer casting mind-blank on you (we have one that is capable of casting said spell), and being able to do a sneak attack with my Sword of subtlety!

thats +25 to hit/1D6 normal damage +1 from STR (score of 12) + 2 from the magical bonus, +4 from the magical effect, +9D6 for sneak attack, and for good measure, coat the weapon in Drow knockout poison!

=+2 longsword/+25 to hit/1D6+7+9D6/Poison: FORT save DC 13 Primary Effect: unconciousness for 1 minute-Secondary Effect:unconsciousness for 2D4 hours!

Thank you! You have now given me a better PC to annoy my DM with! :D
Shaggy_Shaggs
02-20-06, 02:28 AM Thank you! You have now given me a better PC to annoy my DM with! :D
I live to serve.

(Not really, but I sure like to see lycanthropes come out on top. :D)
feartheinvinceblehamster
02-20-06, 10:10 AM Pimpslaps and wedgies? against a mind flayer? I'M FIGHTING AN ENEMY WITH NO BRAIN! HE HAS NO BRAIN TO FLAY!
-Mind flayer, against Igor Olman, dork tower

Seriously though, charge it. There is no point hanging back, because if you guys surrond it you can go hand-to-hand, which mind flayers suck at, and then it's mind blast will only be able to hit one of you, while if you hang back, the mind flayer can easily engulf all of you in it's mind blast. This would be advice for next time you fight it, seeing as you've fought it already.
Radijs
02-20-06, 11:49 AM A stake the heart through the heart and lobbing their head off does the trick.

Of course the tricky thing about this is that this works on most creatures.
feartheinvinceblehamster
02-20-06, 12:07 PM A stake the heart through the heart and lobbing their head off does the trick.

Of course the tricky thing about this is that this works on most creatures.

:rofl:

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
monkey_thug 02-15-06, 11:36 PM	Our DM has been hinting at that the will be a illithide soon and i was wondering how would you kill it with the minimal party loss. our party has: fighter2/rouge5/nightsongenforcer2 druid8 fighter2/bard3/reforged2/warchanter1 monk2/barbarian4 Please help thanks :confused:
kinjojones 02-15-06, 11:48 PM	With weapons and spells. Just try and not let it grapple you. Also buff up your will saves if you get the chance before you face it. And remember that it will probaly never be alone or unprepared for you.
TheChilliGod 02-15-06, 11:54 PM	Ah, the Illithid. Mind Flayer. Tentacled One. Octopus head. Well, today is your lucky day! WoTC released an article about dealing with those fellas last year, Here is the happy link. (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/tt/20050606a) I like illithids. They go squelch when you lodge an axe in its head.
kraegor 02-16-06, 12:16 AM	Chopping off thier head with an Greataxe always worked for me.
AlexVADnD 02-16-06, 10:21 AM	To steal a line from a previous, unrelated thread: try getting it down to -10 HP, that usually works...
darkkhaine 02-16-06, 10:35 AM	i would suggest roleplaying the encounter you might not have to fight it at all.
LCD2YOU 02-16-06, 10:41 AM	Things that kill Mind Flayers usually are the same things that kill other soft bodied forms. They include but are not limited to: 1: Kinetic energy poisoning. As stated a greataxe works really, really well. 2: Gravity. Well, not specifically gravity itself but the sudden stop when the gravationally gained potential energy turns into #1. See above. This happens when you come to that sudden stop. 3: Drugs. Have cannon-fodder NPCs tripping on whatever mind affecting drug of choice you want and let the Mind Flayer eat their brains. Kill now spaced out flayer. 4: Thermal Eneergy. 20 DB Firballs that are empowered work well too. There are many ways. Those are just a few.
Deekin 02-16-06, 01:04 PM	Well, I am the DM for this game, and the party just skirmished with the Flayer. It is a psionic flayer from the XPH. Yes, I use psionics, deal with it. All but one player failed the save vs the intial stun, and that player was droped the following round with a Psychic Crush. The Flayer then left and let his minoins deal with the stunned party. Luckly, the droped player spent an AP to stabilize, then rolled well to wake up, chug a poition, and then droped all the minoins. (SA is such a great thing). I'm slightly concerned the Flayer Might be too tough. But they are going to hunt down the flayer in it's lair. Zeck, if you open this Sblock, I will shoot you, in the face, with a hammer, During astronomy. The Flayer is a psion 3 (CR11!) and when full buffed has 27 AC, 157 HP, and can toss of two powers a round. It also has a +10 Bonus to Initiave. Fortinlty for the players, It only has two combat powers That, and only one player is any good at optimization. As for tatics, I reconment from PHB Globe of Invulnerability, Lesser: Stops 1st- through 3rd-level spell effects, * Dimensional Anchor: Bars extradimensional movement, Enervation: Subject gains 1d4 negative levels. From XPH Glossolalia, Psychic Turmoil Powers from XPH. Intellect Fortress A: Those inside fortress take only half damage from all powers and psi-like abilities until your next action, Power Leech: Drain 1d6 power points/round while you maintain concentration; you gain 1/round. Mind Trap A: Drain 1d6 power points from anyone who attacks you with a telepathy power. Thought Shield A: Gain PR 13 against mind-affecting powers. XPH
Plinglebob 02-16-06, 01:48 PM	Win initiative. CAn normally kill them before they get a chance to stun if you're quick.
kraegor 02-17-06, 03:56 AM	Before you fight the ithillid, tell your party members that they attack by wrapping thier tentacles around your face, and sucking your brain. Tell them that by smearing poo on thier faces it will repel the mindflayer from eating thier brains. Laugh as they do it. Then run.
6string 02-17-06, 03:43 PM	I'm a Psion12/Ranger2/Illithid Slayer4 so i may not be the best person to answer this thread, but i'll try to give some advice that doesn't apply to my dedicating my career to slaying illithids and as of late, ulitharids. Freedom of movement, your best friend with illithids Ring of self +4 will saves anything that boosts your will save, peiapts of wisdom for instance if you're psionic, deep crystal materials will put em' down quicker aberration bane weapons as for tactics, always disable the illithid first and then the cronies, most times they'll snap out of it and you can avoid murdering the innocently dominated. spread out, don't let him get you all with that mind blast talk ****, illithids have big egos and calling them out is a good method of distraction if you ever need to buy some time or distract them from your party rogue hope this helps
Frylord 02-17-06, 03:52 PM	Well, first you need better grammer. THEN you can focus on killing the flayer.
shaft350x 02-17-06, 05:12 PM	No no...see bad grammar is the sign of a great advantage. You see if they like brains...make sure your character has the lowest INT and WIS scores...then you will be the least appetizing... Or just go with the greataxe idea.
Adriac 02-17-06, 06:19 PM	your idea would work except the fact wisdom gives will to repel illithids
Ichor Spellka 02-17-06, 09:51 PM	Alright, first off, spread out. Bunching up means massive stunning potential. Next, do not use spells that allow spell resistance. Their SR is huge, chances are less than half of the spells you cast at it will fail. If you must use these spells, use area ones and catch as many of its thralls in the blast as you can. Freedom of movement is excellent for making sure you don't get eaten. If you can, flank him as fast as possible. This guarantees that he can't nail you both with his mindblast at the same time without provoking some attacks. Use the druid to scout ahead in the smallest animal form he can. Information is key. Knowing where it's waiting to ambush you is very important. If you can make the rogue invisible, do it. Have him skirt the edges, and come in if the rest of the party gets stunned and it's about to eat. If it's about to chow down on brains, it's pretty much guaranteed to not be paying attention, and thus be flat-footed for sneak attack. The monk barbarian should get in there as soon as possible. Rage will help a bit with the will-saves. Have the druid cut off retreat using spells. Summons may not be too useful, but if brought in correctly, can result in the mind flayer having to spend multiple rounds to stun everyone attacking it. The bardic music won't have much of any affect here. I would suggest using the few spells he has to buff up the party just pre-battle (if successful scouting occured) then go melee on the tentacled one. Lastly, nice job with the psionic flayer. I always enjoy them trickier. Good luck to the party, and the DM as well.
Black Knight Geno 02-19-06, 03:31 AM	When you see the squid thingy (Stolen from OOTS) you first need a really big hammer, and then use your imagination. Seriously, most of the above posts have good ideas, but if you happen to have a githakie, or whatever they are called, illithid hunting party with you, that illithid is so dead it is not even funny.
MazrimTaem 02-19-06, 07:24 PM	Assay resistance (C.arcane) is like a battering ram against SR, giving +10 caster level against one creature...
Loki_God'o'Chaos 02-19-06, 07:40 PM	Universal Solevent a pot to your head (to prevent brain theivery), then attack with Pointy sticks, try having a number in relation to # of Mind Flayers x 10 of hirelings doing this action while you throw stones at it, this will work, very often in only 4 rounds. I know this from a very low magic campiagn I was in last year
Addimarchus 02-19-06, 07:45 PM	tell the druid about two naffy little spells in Lords of Madness: Detect Abberation level: cleric 2, druid 2, sorcerer 2/wizard 2 Components: V, S Casting Time: 1 standard action Range: 60ft. Area: Quater circle emanating from the character to the extreme of the range. Duration: concentration, up to 1 minute/level(D) Saving throw: none Spell Resistance: no this spell functions like detect good/evil/magi/etc. Nature's Purity evocation level: Druid 3 Components: V,S Casting Time: 1 standard action Range: medium (100ft.+10ft./level) Effect: One or more rays Duration: instantaneous Saving throw: none Spell Resistance: yes A shimmering green beam of light springs forth from your outstretched hand. You can direct this ray at any target in range. If you hit the target, the ray deals 1D6 force damage. Against undead and constructs, the ray deals 2D8 points of force damage. Against aberrations, the ray deals 5D6 points of force damage and threatens a critical hit on a roll of 19-20. An abberation slain by this is immediately transformed into pungent-smelling inert plant matter. You can generate one additional ray for every 4 levels above 5th (to a maximum of four rays at 17th level). The rays can be fired at the same or different targets, but all rays must be aimed at targets within 30 feet of each other. If all else fails, just throw a japanese schoolgirl at it, that should keep it busy!
Feor 02-19-06, 10:09 PM	Killing Illithids? To paraphrase a quote used often on the other boards I frequent: Plane Shift and nuke it from Sigil. It's the only way to be sure. :D
Silverthumb128 02-19-06, 11:22 PM	I ha a Githzerai Monk who discovered that their soft heads really don't respond well to repeated head trauma. :D High saves are the bane of Illithids, because if they can't pierce your mind, they have to rely upon their relatively frail physical abilities, and that really won't help them out much if they can't out-grapple you.
Shaggy_Shaggs 02-19-06, 11:32 PM	Hmmm... one level of warshaper and you're immune to stunning while in alternate forms. Could be useful.
Addimarchus 02-20-06, 02:03 AM	Hmmm... one level of warshaper and you're immune to stunning while in alternate forms. Could be useful. :OMG! i didnt know that gave them immunity to stunning as well! i know what my 17th level FR Drow were-rat will take as its PrC! Imagine a sorcerer casting mind-blank on you (we have one that is capable of casting said spell), and being able to do a sneak attack with my Sword of subtlety! thats +25 to hit/1D6 normal damage +1 from STR (score of 12) + 2 from the magical bonus, +4 from the magical effect, +9D6 for sneak attack, and for good measure, coat the weapon in Drow knockout poison! =+2 longsword/+25 to hit/1D6+7+9D6/Poison: FORT save DC 13 Primary Effect: unconciousness for 1 minute-Secondary Effect:unconsciousness for 2D4 hours! Thank you! You have now given me a better PC to annoy my DM with! :D
Shaggy_Shaggs 02-20-06, 02:28 AM	Thank you! You have now given me a better PC to annoy my DM with! :D I live to serve. (Not really, but I sure like to see lycanthropes come out on top. :D)
feartheinvinceblehamster 02-20-06, 10:10 AM	Pimpslaps and wedgies? against a mind flayer? I'M FIGHTING AN ENEMY WITH NO BRAIN! HE HAS NO BRAIN TO FLAY! -Mind flayer, against Igor Olman, dork tower Seriously though, charge it. There is no point hanging back, because if you guys surrond it you can go hand-to-hand, which mind flayers suck at, and then it's mind blast will only be able to hit one of you, while if you hang back, the mind flayer can easily engulf all of you in it's mind blast. This would be advice for next time you fight it, seeing as you've fought it already.
Radijs 02-20-06, 11:49 AM	A stake the heart through the heart and lobbing their head off does the trick. Of course the tricky thing about this is that this works on most creatures.
feartheinvinceblehamster 02-20-06, 12:07 PM	A stake the heart through the heart and lobbing their head off does the trick. Of course the tricky thing about this is that this works on most creatures. :rofl: