I have a villain in one of the hardcovers who has access to the spell, Power Word Kill, and would definitely use it as soon as possible. I know this, and it makes sense, but I hate the idea of one of my players sitting out the big climactic fight because of it!
What are your thoughts on using it and not using it (right away)?
Most monsters with access to power word kill, like liches, Orcus, and Acererak, only get it once or twice. So a wise monster won't use it at the beginning of a fight when high level players are at full health; with that said, wizards and sorcerers should be targeted first. With a low HP max, barely above 75 at 20th level, with no constitution modifier, they are mushy yet incredibly powerful targets. If you want to make a statement, kill a spellcaster; get rid of one of those little nuisances. If you don't want them to sit out for the entire battle, get a few hits in on a fighter and then power word kill them. If you do break out power word kill, don't ask about HP, it just looks so sleazy.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
What level is the party? Does anyone have more than 100HP(they should, PWK is a 17th level minimum to cast, so your PCs should be in the ballpark)? If there is even a chance that PWK might fail, that would be a good reason for the NPC to save it for a couple rounds... especially if he isn't being threatened directly (eg there isn't a blade at his throat). On a similar note, can none of your PCs cast revivfy or a more powerful revive spell? If so, problem solved, no?
If you could give your PCs an OP NPC ally, PWK makes an epic "pull the carpet out from under them" move.
By the time the Adventurers get to be of the sort of level that makes them targets they'll have a variety of countermeasures: high hit points, decent saves and save modifiers, counterspell, death ward, revivify. Essentially if someone goes down to the spell on the first round and doesn't get up then the Adventurers are either really on the ropes or they can't organise a frat party in a brewery.
So don't worry about it too much - if that's an enemy's signature move hit the first Adventurer wearing robes and a pointy hat with it. I'm sure the Adventurer's would repay the compliment if they had the opportunity.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
I have a villain in one of the hardcovers who has access to the spell, Power Word Kill, and would definitely use it as soon as possible. I know this, and it makes sense, but I hate the idea of one of my players sitting out the big climactic fight because of it!
What are your thoughts on using it and not using it (right away)?
Most monsters with access to power word kill, like liches, Orcus, and Acererak, only get it once or twice. So a wise monster won't use it at the beginning of a fight when high level players are at full health; with that said, wizards and sorcerers should be targeted first. With a low HP max, barely above 75 at 20th level, with no constitution modifier, they are mushy yet incredibly powerful targets. If you want to make a statement, kill a spellcaster; get rid of one of those little nuisances. If you don't want them to sit out for the entire battle, get a few hits in on a fighter and then power word kill them. If you do break out power word kill, don't ask about HP, it just looks so sleazy.
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
What level is the party? Does anyone have more than 100HP(they should, PWK is a 17th level minimum to cast, so your PCs should be in the ballpark)? If there is even a chance that PWK might fail, that would be a good reason for the NPC to save it for a couple rounds... especially if he isn't being threatened directly (eg there isn't a blade at his throat). On a similar note, can none of your PCs cast revivfy or a more powerful revive spell? If so, problem solved, no?
If you could give your PCs an OP NPC ally, PWK makes an epic "pull the carpet out from under them" move.
By the time the Adventurers get to be of the sort of level that makes them targets they'll have a variety of countermeasures: high hit points, decent saves and save modifiers, counterspell, death ward, revivify. Essentially if someone goes down to the spell on the first round and doesn't get up then the Adventurers are either really on the ropes or they can't organise a frat party in a brewery.
So don't worry about it too much - if that's an enemy's signature move hit the first Adventurer wearing robes and a pointy hat with it. I'm sure the Adventurer's would repay the compliment if they had the opportunity.