Monster Tactics Handbook Discussion Thread

[Nytemare3701]

Use this thread to discuss content that should be added to the Monster Tactics Handbook.

http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=4363.msg60468#msg60468

[kitep]

I had fun with a beholder floating right behind a pit trap.  Good guys saw the monster, charged, and *plummet*    Should work with any hovering creature.

Long cavern hallway.  Goblins hiding behind a wall at the end, shooting through arrow slits.  The wall gives them cover making them almost impossible to hit, and even protecting them from area effect spells.  The length of the hallway stops the adventurers from even seeing the goblins in the dark at the other end (The adventurer's side of course is lit - if not, shoot a couple of arrows with continual flame or flaming rags).  Length of hallway also makes sure the goblins get a few rounds off before the good guys can close - and when the do, they can't get thru the wall (at least not immediately, giving the goblins time to escape)

A variation on your silent image - I had a permanent image of a wall covering one side of a T intersection.  Adventurers came and turned the corner.  My ambushers came through the wall and get to attack the old bearded guy in the back

PS: can you put a link to the handbook in the first post?  Please and thank you.
PPS: and a link in your handbook to this discussion thread.

[Brassthorn]

Recently used, similar to illusion at T in corridor.

Party enters large cavern, sees enemies at far end of cavern. Party cautiously (no chargers here!) move into melee, firing crossbows. When melee is engaged and party close to winning, a caster and crossbowdolgrims come out of a secret door about 20' away from where party entered and starts ranged assault with spells and bolts from behind.

Yes, the original enemies went down. What part of "evil" don't you understand?

Party won, but half of them went down first, none killed. A near-perfect Boss fight.

[Nytemare3701]

Handbook updated with the new info, as well as two new templates, "Lockdown Brute" and "Plant Summoner"

[Thurbane]

Just wanted to say, awesome concept Nytemare - optimization tips for DMs running monsters is often a very overlooked topic. I'll have a think on it, and post a bunch of suggestions once I get time.

[Nytemare3701]

Oslecamo already made a bigger, more in-depth guide on the matter, but as a DM, I rarely have time to tweak every little thing in about my monsters. I'm writing this as much for myself as I am for everyone else ;-) (That said, I love kudos as much as the next guy)

[Anaximander]

Putting incorporeal creatures in a mansion is always fun.  Being caught in the wrong hallway can cause trouble for the PC's if there is an obstacle at each end.  Providing that the mansion walls are thin enough, the incorporeal creatures can then attack through the walls while PC's are scrambling to get out.

[ariasderros]

Are you still planning on coming back to this project?

[Nytemare3701]

Are you still planning on coming back to this project?

Yeah, I'm actually adding my new "super zombie" to it tonight.

EDIT: Added 2 new premade encounters.

[Nytemare3701]

The handbook has received a new section: Biomes! Swamps and such are woefully neglected piles of complications, just waiting to ruin an adventurer's day.

[Nanashi]

How about including ways to boost minion to-hit so low level minions are actually worth bothering with? Nets, bards, bless/prayer, splash weapons,  aid another,

[Nytemare3701]

How about including ways to boost minion to-hit so low level minions are actually worth bothering with? Nets, bards, bless/prayer, splash weapons,  aid another,

Normally, consumables are the go-to answer there, but I use them sparingly since they feel like you are fighting the consumable, not the creature using it.

I'll put something together though. Maybe a list of "so easy a kobold can do it" weapons and tools.

[magic9mushroom]

Lockdown Mage has incorrect information about Backbiter. Attended nonmagical items still get saving throws (as the holding character), and Backbiter doesn't have any text to negate that (it says that magic weapons get a save, but it doesn't say that nonmagical weapons don't).

[Nytemare3701]

Lockdown Mage has incorrect information about Backbiter. Attended nonmagical items still get saving throws (as the holding character), and Backbiter doesn't have any text to negate that (it says that magic weapons get a save, but it doesn't say that nonmagical weapons don't).

Corrected. Thank you!