Lair actions

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

Chakrum

Aug 14, 2014 0:42:35

I'm sorry, maybe this is common knowledge but what does "on initiative 20" mean? I find that wording confusing and there is no example given. Thanks.

#2

MerricB

Aug 14, 2014 4:57:16

When you roll initiative at the beginning of the combat, the "Lair Actions" take place as if they rolled a total of 20.

 

So you might end up with:

 

22: Halfling Thief

20: Lair Action

15: Elf Fighter

14: Red Dragon

9: Human Mage

2: Human Cleric

 

as the order of actions.

 

Cheers!

#3

Chakrum

Aug 14, 2014 12:51:14 		Ah ok. So if the halfling had also rolled 20, he would win the tie. Because PC'S win ties correct?
#4

Drayven27

Aug 14, 2014 13:52:44

Everything wins the tie against a lair, so any enemies that rolled a 20 would also go before the lair.

#5

Onelostroad

Mar 01, 2015 9:08:53

My question regarding lair actions isn't regarding the initiative order. It's regarding the definition of "lair." I couldn't help but notice that in the published 5e adventures, one room in the dragon's entire complex is called a "lair." 

 

So is it intended that a dragon's "lair" is

 

1) Just the room it primarily dwells in (the one labeled a "lair" in the adventure)?

 

2) The entire complex it dwells in (the treasure room, the corridors, etc. etc. etc.)

 

3) The entire complex and the immediate region

 

4) A larger area... maybe its sphere of influence or hunting area?

 

 

I'd appreciate hearing your opinions. Thank you!

#6

Eck

Mar 01, 2015 9:40:05

Option 1 or 2 seems reasonable and I don't think anyone at your table will cry foul at that. I'm going to go with Option 2, and scale it back to Option 1 if I feel it's necessary. 

 

Option 3 or 4 seems wrong to me. Causing stalactites to fall down on your enemies seems a little out of place in the forest surrounding the cave for instance...

 

In most cases, I think the big bad fight will be taking place in the Lair (whatever it is) because most things with a Lair will want to gain every advantage they can. If you decide it's Option 1, then the dragon will bide it's time, waiting for the interlopers to appear in it's main chamber. If it's option 2, then the dragon might go hunting once it becomes aware of its presense.

 

- Eck