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Help Me Defend Against A Horde

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
symeon_quykk
Sep 11, 2008 18:49:23 Hello all,
I'm trying to decide the best course of action to defend a city from an oncoming horde. My question deals with picking the best "ally" I can find to do that particular job.

Background info:
We have completed the Shattered Gates of Slaughtergard and are in the midst of the Red Hand of Doom. The party consists of a Halfling Druid/Outrider, a Swordsage, an Elven Beguiler, and a Gray Elf Wizard/Divine Oracle/Loremaster (me) and we are in the Level 8-9 range. The DM is open to most things as long as they don't disrupt his game. Books are whatever we can get the DM to accept.

Situation:
We have cleared most of the opposition we have encountered. We have been to Varaath Keep, Skull Gorge Bridge, Lake Rhest, and most places in between. Most of the area (the good guys) are aware of the oncoming threat and have made for the city of Brindol. The party actually hasn't been in Brindol, but from the maps we have and what we have heard, it seems like the best place to make a stand. We are hoping they have some sort of army there and CITY WALLS for protection. We are on our way to Brindol and I've been thinking long and hard about how to hold off thousands of enemies.

Question:
I have just gotten to the wonderful 5th level wizard spells :D I was flipping thru the Spell Compendium the other day and spotted a beauty... Lesser Dragon Ally! Long story short... I can call a 15 HD or less dragon into service for 9 days (11 days if I cast Spell Enhancer (same book) beforehand) and offer him a metric crapton of gold to protect Brindol from the enemy. My question is WHICH dragon should I choose for this purpose. My two leading canidates are a Young Gold Dragon (MM p.84) OR a Young Adult Fang Dragon (Draconomicon p.159). I have always been a player and am still figuring out what the difference is between the different kinds of dragons, so I'm looking for someone (maybe a DM or two) with some more experience in this area.

If you could have any dragon (preferably NOT evil) of 15 HD or less to defend a city for 9-11 days, which one would you pick?

Thanks in advance!
#2
symeon_quykk
Sep 11, 2008 18:58:11 I'm not sure I posted this in the right forum.... hmmm
#3
natenate
Sep 11, 2008 19:03:21 Find the most powerful 15-HD creature in the game. Add the Paragon and Half-Dragon templates, its creature type is now Dragon. Have it lay waste to your foes. A Mountain Troll or War Troll (MM3) with both of those templates would probably be where I'd start, for destruction and unkillability. Regardless of what you call, give it the Paragon template, just because there's nothing that says you can't.
#4
empirate
Sep 11, 2008 19:03:27 I'd take the Gold. Golds have by far the highest Str, meaning they can dish out the most damage, even at Young age. Also, with a veritable horde knocking on your door, you want something with a cone-shaped breath weapon (and the Gold has an alternative one that weakens, too!). Spellcasting is a non-factor with 15 dragon HD, and the Young Gold is quite a nice package. Be sure to protect the Gold vs. Cold attacks, though!
#5
pithica
Sep 12, 2008 7:14:40 Lesser Dragon Ally is going to cost you 15,000gp (well 1k per HD) and 100xp, and get you a dragon with minimal abilities, no matter which you choose (unless you try some hokey template stacking that your DM isn't likely to allow).

If I *HAD* to pick that as my only option: I'd go (from Core) Silver, Paralyzing Gas is useful versus large armies (assuming they're all low HD and not immune, I've never played that module); Or (from FR) Shadow, Energy Drain Cone will kill or completely wank low level mobs; Or (non-Core) Sunwyrm (from Fiend Folio), it's breath weapon isn't all that awesome, but it's extremely high DR is going to stop any of the lowbies in the horde from actually hitting it, and the fact that it deals touch attacks makes it a fairly strong meleer.

Personally, though, I think you'll get more mileage out of Wall of Stone as a fifth level spell, if you're going to have any time before the horde gets there.

Even better, creative uses of Fire Trap (grenades), and my favorite combo Servant Horde + Explosive Runes (gift cards) will put a serious hurting on any incoming army, if you have time and a little creativity.
#6
tytalus
Sep 12, 2008 7:39:29 I'd use a juvenile Steel Dragon. It's rather hard to touch with spells, which is likely the only way to take it down anyway.

SR 22 is not too great, but it's SR 32 for 4th or lower level spells.

For really tough opponents, it has a CON-draining poison breath, plus all the usual dragon goodies (including a decent AC).
#7
carnivore
Sep 12, 2008 8:14:16 i agree with pithica.... it is better to use spells to make better Defenses and Prepare for the enemies attack.... in addition, the best Tactic:

Hit and Run...... before they get to the city..... find the Enemy army and use Hit and Run tactics to reduce the strength of the force before they ever get close

:D
#8
symeon_quykk
Sep 12, 2008 17:13:11 OK, I've worked it down to two choices...

Young Howling Dragon

OR

Juvenile Rust Dragon

Both are from the Draconomicon... both have DR, SR, and Frightful Presence, same HD, similar AC, attacks, etc.

The real difference is whether I want a cone of sonic or a cone of rust.

Hmm, loot all bodies after they're bleeding from the ears OR destroy all metal, make it easier to kill the army...

Also, do you guys think I'd get much trouble out of a CN or LN dragon switching sides if he was well paid???

Could I actually pay the Rust Dragon in any metal armor/weapons the enemy has??? Would that work?

Thanks for the help everyone!
#9
hogarth
Sep 12, 2008 21:42:15 What kind of creatures are in the horde?

One spell that's interesting to use against an army is Summon Undead V. You can use it to summon a mummy which has a paralyzing ability usable against any number of enemies at any range (as long as they can see the mummy). The DC is kind of low, but if you're fighting a bunch of flunkies, it shouldn't matter too much.

A similar plan: Find some sea hags, as many as you can. Bash them into unconsciousness and keep them alive. Then, when the moment is right, wave them in front of the advancing army. 2d6 Str damage for everyone! (O.K., the DC is probably too low, but it's a nice idea.)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 symeon_quykk Sep 11, 2008 18:49:23	Hello all, I'm trying to decide the best course of action to defend a city from an oncoming horde. My question deals with picking the best "ally" I can find to do that particular job. Background info: We have completed the Shattered Gates of Slaughtergard and are in the midst of the Red Hand of Doom. The party consists of a Halfling Druid/Outrider, a Swordsage, an Elven Beguiler, and a Gray Elf Wizard/Divine Oracle/Loremaster (me) and we are in the Level 8-9 range. The DM is open to most things as long as they don't disrupt his game. Books are whatever we can get the DM to accept. Situation: We have cleared most of the opposition we have encountered. We have been to Varaath Keep, Skull Gorge Bridge, Lake Rhest, and most places in between. Most of the area (the good guys) are aware of the oncoming threat and have made for the city of Brindol. The party actually hasn't been in Brindol, but from the maps we have and what we have heard, it seems like the best place to make a stand. We are hoping they have some sort of army there and CITY WALLS for protection. We are on our way to Brindol and I've been thinking long and hard about how to hold off thousands of enemies. Question: I have just gotten to the wonderful 5th level wizard spells :D I was flipping thru the Spell Compendium the other day and spotted a beauty... Lesser Dragon Ally! Long story short... I can call a 15 HD or less dragon into service for 9 days (11 days if I cast Spell Enhancer (same book) beforehand) and offer him a metric crapton of gold to protect Brindol from the enemy. My question is WHICH dragon should I choose for this purpose. My two leading canidates are a Young Gold Dragon (MM p.84) OR a Young Adult Fang Dragon (Draconomicon p.159). I have always been a player and am still figuring out what the difference is between the different kinds of dragons, so I'm looking for someone (maybe a DM or two) with some more experience in this area. If you could have any dragon (preferably NOT evil) of 15 HD or less to defend a city for 9-11 days, which one would you pick? Thanks in advance!
#2 symeon_quykk Sep 11, 2008 18:58:11	I'm not sure I posted this in the right forum.... hmmm
#3 natenate Sep 11, 2008 19:03:21	Find the most powerful 15-HD creature in the game. Add the Paragon and Half-Dragon templates, its creature type is now Dragon. Have it lay waste to your foes. A Mountain Troll or War Troll (MM3) with both of those templates would probably be where I'd start, for destruction and unkillability. Regardless of what you call, give it the Paragon template, just because there's nothing that says you can't.
#4 empirate Sep 11, 2008 19:03:27	I'd take the Gold. Golds have by far the highest Str, meaning they can dish out the most damage, even at Young age. Also, with a veritable horde knocking on your door, you want something with a cone-shaped breath weapon (and the Gold has an alternative one that weakens, too!). Spellcasting is a non-factor with 15 dragon HD, and the Young Gold is quite a nice package. Be sure to protect the Gold vs. Cold attacks, though!
#5 pithica Sep 12, 2008 7:14:40	Lesser Dragon Ally is going to cost you 15,000gp (well 1k per HD) and 100xp, and get you a dragon with minimal abilities, no matter which you choose (unless you try some hokey template stacking that your DM isn't likely to allow). If I HAD to pick that as my only option: I'd go (from Core) Silver, Paralyzing Gas is useful versus large armies (assuming they're all low HD and not immune, I've never played that module); Or (from FR) Shadow, Energy Drain Cone will kill or completely wank low level mobs; Or (non-Core) Sunwyrm (from Fiend Folio), it's breath weapon isn't all that awesome, but it's extremely high DR is going to stop any of the lowbies in the horde from actually hitting it, and the fact that it deals touch attacks makes it a fairly strong meleer. Personally, though, I think you'll get more mileage out of Wall of Stone as a fifth level spell, if you're going to have any time before the horde gets there. Even better, creative uses of Fire Trap (grenades), and my favorite combo Servant Horde + Explosive Runes (gift cards) will put a serious hurting on any incoming army, if you have time and a little creativity.
#6 tytalus Sep 12, 2008 7:39:29	I'd use a juvenile Steel Dragon. It's rather hard to touch with spells, which is likely the only way to take it down anyway. SR 22 is not too great, but it's SR 32 for 4th or lower level spells. For really tough opponents, it has a CON-draining poison breath, plus all the usual dragon goodies (including a decent AC).
#7 carnivore Sep 12, 2008 8:14:16	i agree with pithica.... it is better to use spells to make better Defenses and Prepare for the enemies attack.... in addition, the best Tactic: Hit and Run...... before they get to the city..... find the Enemy army and use Hit and Run tactics to reduce the strength of the force before they ever get close :D
#8 symeon_quykk Sep 12, 2008 17:13:11	OK, I've worked it down to two choices... Young Howling Dragon OR Juvenile Rust Dragon Both are from the Draconomicon... both have DR, SR, and Frightful Presence, same HD, similar AC, attacks, etc. The real difference is whether I want a cone of sonic or a cone of rust. Hmm, loot all bodies after they're bleeding from the ears OR destroy all metal, make it easier to kill the army... Also, do you guys think I'd get much trouble out of a CN or LN dragon switching sides if he was well paid??? Could I actually pay the Rust Dragon in any metal armor/weapons the enemy has??? Would that work? Thanks for the help everyone!
#9 hogarth Sep 12, 2008 21:42:15	What kind of creatures are in the horde? One spell that's interesting to use against an army is Summon Undead V. You can use it to summon a mummy which has a paralyzing ability usable against any number of enemies at any range (as long as they can see the mummy). The DC is kind of low, but if you're fighting a bunch of flunkies, it shouldn't matter too much. A similar plan: Find some sea hags, as many as you can. Bash them into unconsciousness and keep them alive. Then, when the moment is right, wave them in front of the advancing army. 2d6 Str damage for everyone! (O.K., the DC is probably too low, but it's a nice idea.)