Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 mbeacom Dec 05, 2014 6:39:28	I have question about the Mind Flayer. It's kind of a rules question and kind of a "DM Help" question because I'd like to not only get rules clarification, but some feedback on how other DMs view this creature in the 5E stat context.   Ok, so the Mind Flayer has an attack called Tentacles. It does damage and applies the grappled condition on a hit. Finally it forces a DC 15 Int save or be stunned.  Ok, simple enough.   Then, it has another attack, a followup. Called Extract Brain. This one says the target must be "one incapacitated humanoid grappled by the Mind Flayer". Ok, so the grappled condition implies that the Tentacles attack hit. The use of incapacitated seems to require (or not, perhaps the person was incapacitated some other way than the failed Int save) a failed Int Save on the Tentacles attack.   In any case, it says the attack is +7. But, the stunned condition (that most likely exists from the previous attack) grants advantage on attacks. Would this attack necessarily almost always be +7 with advantage? Is there a circumstance where it would not be at advantage?   Ancillary to that, if they are not stunned (they succeeded on the save) and therefore not subject to the Extract Brain, what attack would you make them susceptible to? Another Tentacle? Even though they are already grappled? Would it simply do damage and force another save? Would it be at advantage?   Lastly, it has a recharge attack Mind Blast that states it targets "creatures". Would you grant fellow Mind Flayers or (more likely), their thralls any kind of bonus on this save? It seems odd that a Mind Flayer would actually mind blast itself (in the case of thralls being controlled by that flayer).   The reason I'm looking for feedback and clarification is because this is a massive setpiece battle at part of a lengthy quest culmination and it's in the "Deadly" category. I don't mind so much if players die due to poor choices or sticking around when they shouldn't but I don't like killing characters due to running a critter wrong. Similarly, I don't want them to get an easier time of it because I'm running a critter too easy.   Also, for context, the good guys will be somewhat stumbling into a Mind Flayer mini-lair (after having ignore several hints at their presence over the last few sessions). The Mind Flayers will be controling several Grimlocks doing manual labor on the ground and some quaggoths harvesting prescient mold on the ceiling. The Flayers will hang back, controlling Grimlocks (melee) and Quaggoths (hurling broken tips of stalactites from the ceiling). I'm wondering if the poor grimlocks are going to be quickly obliterated by the occasional Mind Blasts as they recharge.   Any feedback would be appreciated.
#2 Noctaem Dec 05, 2014 6:48:05	Damnit I wish I had my books with me right now!  I'm sure someone will be able to help you.
#3 iserith Dec 05, 2014 7:02:19	mbeacom wrote:
(Reply to #3) mbeacom	iserith wrote:
#5 Noctaem Dec 05, 2014 7:39:03	Just be careful about granting advantage when it is not called for against your players.  The player is already getting drooled upon by a mind flayer, you have nothing to gain by giving advantage to the creature's attack arbitrarily and in fact your player might call foul.
#6 iserith Dec 05, 2014 7:45:03	mbeacom wrote:
(Reply to #5) mbeacom	Noctaem wrote:
(Reply to #6) mbeacom	iserith wrote:
#9 Noctaem Dec 05, 2014 8:01:36	mbeacom wrote:
(Reply to #9) mbeacom	Noctaem wrote:
#11 iserith Dec 05, 2014 8:09:49	mbeacom wrote:
(Reply to #11) mbeacom	iserith wrote:
#13 iserith Dec 05, 2014 8:24:55	mbeacom wrote:
(Reply to #13) mbeacom	iserith wrote:
#15 Doomaflatchi Dec 06, 2014 11:38:05	Noctaem wrote: