I am setting up a forgotten temple and want them to run into a group of flying snakes at the start and given there lvl, 10 of them should be a balanced encounter. But I would like to know if I should just set it up as a swarm instead of just running them all individually
It partly depends on the level of the party and how tough the snakes are.
10 enemies on the battlefield can be quite slow to run and a pain to keep track of everything, unless the snakes are easy to take out. But then, if the snakes are easy to take out then the encounter may be a wash-out.
I would probably go for a swarm. Though to make the encounter more interesting, and if the CR/difficulty of the swarm can be adjusted, I would make it 2 or 3 swarms.
10 individual snakes with their own initiative would be too much hassle. Even 10 snakes with shared initiative could bog things down. 1 Swarm of 10 Snakes would be too few combatants to keep the party occupied.
I agree with the idea of having multiple swarms. Something like 3 swarms of 3 snakes each, Maybe add in a larger individual snake if you really want to keep it at 10 total snakes.
I’d skip these snakes entirely. If you need 10 of them to make the encounter interesting, they’re too weak to be a real threat, and as others said, it will be a very slow combat to run.
I’d find a more CR appropriate enemy. If you really love the flying snake idea, just re-skin the more appropriate enemy and have them look like flying snakes.
At CR1/8, you might as well scrap the statblock if you're not going to use any that are only a threat when there are ten of them. Even a level 1 party needs 10 or more to have a meaningful encounter (even then I'm not convinced).
Personally, I'd run them separately, but I'm aware that I'm pretty quick with monsters and so running ten of them is less of a drag than some DMs. I make decisions quickly and roll multiple attacks at once. If you're going to struggle, then use the swarm rules from the DMG (I'm assuming they kept that rule in for the new one?).
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put in a couple of monsters and make the flying snake a hazard. Or make the room an obstacle course.
Then as a hazard, roll an attack on each of their turns using the snake attack. That way they either have to trigger something to end the hazard, or make it out of the room, and ensure the others make it out too.
This also gives room for inventive players to spend actions or spells to provide cover for themselves as they move, or for the other players.
I am setting up a forgotten temple and want them to run into a group of flying snakes at the start and given there lvl, 10 of them should be a balanced encounter. But I would like to know if I should just set it up as a swarm instead of just running them all individually
It partly depends on the level of the party and how tough the snakes are.
10 enemies on the battlefield can be quite slow to run and a pain to keep track of everything, unless the snakes are easy to take out. But then, if the snakes are easy to take out then the encounter may be a wash-out.
I would probably go for a swarm. Though to make the encounter more interesting, and if the CR/difficulty of the swarm can be adjusted, I would make it 2 or 3 swarms.
10 individual snakes with their own initiative would be too much hassle. Even 10 snakes with shared initiative could bog things down. 1 Swarm of 10 Snakes would be too few combatants to keep the party occupied.
I agree with the idea of having multiple swarms. Something like 3 swarms of 3 snakes each, Maybe add in a larger individual snake if you really want to keep it at 10 total snakes.
I'd use 10 Flying Snake some of which remain aloft & Flyby the party.
I’d skip these snakes entirely. If you need 10 of them to make the encounter interesting, they’re too weak to be a real threat, and as others said, it will be a very slow combat to run.
I’d find a more CR appropriate enemy. If you really love the flying snake idea, just re-skin the more appropriate enemy and have them look like flying snakes.
You could do a modified swarm. Make it large and flexible. Give it the ability to attack multiple people. Make it smaller as it takes damage.
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At CR1/8, you might as well scrap the statblock if you're not going to use any that are only a threat when there are ten of them. Even a level 1 party needs 10 or more to have a meaningful encounter (even then I'm not convinced).
Personally, I'd run them separately, but I'm aware that I'm pretty quick with monsters and so running ten of them is less of a drag than some DMs. I make decisions quickly and roll multiple attacks at once. If you're going to struggle, then use the swarm rules from the DMG (I'm assuming they kept that rule in for the new one?).
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
put in a couple of monsters and make the flying snake a hazard. Or make the room an obstacle course.
Then as a hazard, roll an attack on each of their turns using the snake attack. That way they either have to trigger something to end the hazard, or make it out of the room, and ensure the others make it out too.
This also gives room for inventive players to spend actions or spells to provide cover for themselves as they move, or for the other players.