Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Jan 05, 2004 20:05:54	Often, as a DM I have found that a campaign players grow used to D&D and the game can fall into a mold, and here I will throw out some ideas to keep your players on their toes. 1: Goblins, Orcs and Kobolds - Advancement: Any player with even a little role playing experience will anticipate a monster to be the same every time. The goblins will always be level 1 warriors and the troll will be a CR 5. While, on one hand you can make the said monster an obvious variant, a more sneaky idea is much simpler: character levels. In a society built around combat, one would expect a few of the goblinoids to be better then level 1 warriors. A party of goblins thrown at the party may appear as an easy encounter, until the first fighter enters melee with the level 4 orc warrior at their head. Or perhaps give one of the goblins 3 levels in rogue for a nasty surprise. Thres Weeping Rock (Huscarl) - Orc War4: CR3; HD 4d8+4 (27 hp); Init +1(Dex); AC 17 (+5 armor, +2 shield); Move 20; Atk +10 melee (1d8+5 Battleaxe) or +5 ranged (1d6+4 Javalin); Saves Fort +6 (4 base, +2 Con), Will +0 (1 base, -1 Wis), Ref +1 (1 base); Str 20, Dex 11, Con 12, Int 7, Wis 8, Cha 6. Skills/feats: Listen +2(1 rank, -1 Wis,+2 feat), Spot +3 (2 ranks, -1 Wis, +2 Feat), Alertness, Weapon focus (Battle axe) Possessions: potion of Bull Strength, Chain mail, heavy Wood Shield, Battleaxe, 2 Javelins ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What is great fun for the unexpecting party is to have Thres hold position behind goblins and chuck javelins then engage the nearest party member and watch jaw drop. Grax Bloodstorm (PC nightmare inc.) - Goblin Rog3 HP- (3d6+3) 12 AC:17 (+2 leather, +3 dex, +1 size, +1 light shield) Inn:+3 (Dex) Atk:+5 ranged (1d8 Heavy Crossbow) +2 melee (1d4 Dagger) Str:10 Dex:16 Con:12 Int:10 Wis:10 Cha:10 SA: Sneak Attack (+2d6) Skills/feats: Hide(+12) Sneak (+9) Spot(+6) Listen(+6) Skill focus(hide) Rapid Reload Goblin Warrior (lvl 2) - Goblin War2 HP - (2d8+2) 12 Inn:+2 AC:15(Dex:+2, Leather:+2 Size: +1). Att: +4 melee (1d6+1 Spear) +4 ranged (1d4+1 Sling) Str:12 Dex:14 Con:12 Int:10 Wis:10 Cha:8 Possessions: Leather armor, sling, spear Skills/feat: Listen +5, Spot +5 Weapon Focus (spear) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mix these guys in with a standard goblin party, or have them form an elite raiding band. If there is enough demand, I can brew up some more advanced creatures, these are just suggestions though. [Some players and DM's say that characters above level 1 are exceedingly rare, but when you think about it, "civilized" races have many merchants, farmers, constables etc. Goblins and orcs just kind of kill things. (Be it animals or humans)] 2. Strategy - Does the concept of a party of your favorite humanoid facing the PC's on an open battlefield with melee just grow dull after a few sessions? If so, try mixing the battlefield up a bit. Add a fallen tree, stream, high grass or rock wall. Have the enemy waiting in ambush or the gnoll outrunners running for the natural cover. (Did someone say Grax Bloodstorm sneak attack?) The PC's will be hard pressed to take an even encounter when the enemy is spread out pelting missiles from cover. Or, try a mix of tower shields and archers. Try encounters in marshy ground for footing problems. EXAMPLES: 1 - 4 goblins, 2 War2 goblins. Fallen tree and high grass with large rock pile. 2 - 4 Troglodytes (Long spears) 2 Troglodytes (slingers). Marsh ground. Assorted brush. Form pike block protecting missiles. 3 - 5 goblins, Grax Bloodstorm. Forest path with surrounding trees. 4 - 4 War2 goblins, Thres Weeping Rock. Partially ruined rock wall. After the first orcish huscarl or gnoll raiding party ducking for cover, you will be impressed by the results. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- For higher then 3rd or 4th levels, simple add 1 more level of warrior or make it an ambush. More to come I hope! "Nothing like the sound of the smashing of a party's dreams in the early morning"
#2 zombiegleemax Jan 22, 2004 13:51:38	Put in a Cleric 3 together with that, so he can sound burst. That will make some of the players stand very still to be hurt some more ;)