HotDQ Glazhael (Adult White Dragon) Showdown- any advice?
So I Finally made it! tonight I have my BBEG HotDQ showdown in Skyreach Castle with Glazhael the Cloudchaser! Adult White Dragon My HotDQ campaign is heavily modified particularly Skyreach Castle suffice to say Glazhael the Cloudchaser is the BBEG that the group is up against. So I wanted to give a quick rundown of how the combat rounds might go ie what actions Glazhael would make that would be thematically correct and make for a fun battle. I haven’t run legendary actions nor Lair actions combats before so would definitely appreciate any comments thoughts… Battle Area Glazhael Lair main chamber Ice cavern ~350 foot diameter 100 foot to 200 foot max ceiling (135 foot diameter central opening to Glazhael upper chamber sleep area)
Glazhael the Cloudchaser will be confronting the players at ground level in the centre of the main chamber 60 foot away
Environmental hazards (Ice cold difficult terrain ice biting chill) PC’s without immunity or resistance to cold damage disadvantage on Strength and Dexterity checks. All PC have winter clothing so past exhaustion checks, difficult terrain movement halved
Surprize very unlikely unless the PC role play and gives particularly deceptive smooth talk to Glazhael the party has entered the lair disguised as Dragon Cultists and is carrying loads of treasure so possible… Assuming initiative combat order and no surprise with a 60 foot separation
Round 1 turn 1 (ini 20) - Glazhael take lair action Freezing fog fills a 20-foot-radius sphere on the group Round 1 turn 2 Monk Round 1 turn 3 Ranger Round 1 turn 4 Bard Round 1 turn 5 Glazhael - uses 10 feet of 80 flying speed to get airborne and climb to 10 foot - uses Frightful Presence - flies 60 (70/80) foot to the group
cold breath attack - * thx Sanvael for clarifying Glazhael's turn it can one of either: Multiattack - Bite, 2x Claw, Frightful Presence or Tail attack or Cold Breath or spell gust of wind. ie this turn Glazhael uses Multiattack - Bite, 2x Claw, Frightful Presence
bite attack on cleric - descends 5 foot (75/80) - claw attack on cleric - uses 2nd claw attack on cleric as grapple attack on cleric (a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the target’s Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check (the target chooses the ability to use) - assume Glazhael succeeds - climbs 5 foot to 10 foot (80/80) Round 1 turn 6 Fighter/Ranger - Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions) and flies 40 foot Up total 50 foot Round 1 turn 7 Sorcerer - Round 1 turn 8 Cleric/Fighter prob use action to escape grapple - assume failure -
Round 2 turn 9 Glazhael take lair action Jagged ice shards fall Round 2 turn 10 Monk Round 2 turn 11 Ranger Round 2 turn 12 Bard Round 2 turn 13 Glazhael flies 80 foot total 130 foot bites claws cleric/fighter and then drops them for 13d6 bludgeoning dmg
And so on… have I got the right idea about lair actions (init 20) legendary actions at the end of other player's turns after Glazhael first turn (ie Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions) gives him half flying speed even if already moved max? Do you think Glazhael is acting correctly concentrating on the healer's first bite claw grapple fly up bite claw tail slash drop? Thanks for any replies thoughts
“It cannot be seen, cannot be felt, Cannot be heard, cannot be smelt, It lies behind stars and under hills, And empty holes it fills, It comes first and follows after, Ends life, kills laughter.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
You must choose one of these. Really, you will use Cold Breath turn 1, then multiattack until Cold Breath recharges. Tail attack should only be used as a legendary action.
Also, be sure to mention to your players that they can Shove a flying creature, knocking it prone and causing it to immediately fall. They may not know this, and they need to know the rule to counter lift/drop mechanics.
with the tail attack really only to be used as a cost 1 of 3 legendary action per turn at the end of another player's turn. thanks for clarifying that Sanvael
"Shove a flying creature" "counter lift/drop mechanics" ok I'll have to look that up myself not familiar with that :o
Shoving a Creature
Using the Attack action, you can make a special melee attack to shove a creature, either to knock it prone or push it away from you. If you’re able to make multiple attacks with the Attack action, this attack replaces one of them.
The target must be no more than one size larger than you and must be within your reach. Instead of making an attack roll, you make a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the target’s Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check (the target chooses the ability to use). You succeed automatically if the target is incapacitated. If you succeed, you either knock the target prone or push it 5 feet away from you.
Yeah so I don't think they'll be shoving Glazhael around it's no push over ;) Luckily they did pick up the magic item wand of winter which has the spell sleet storm which I seem to remember a discussion on would affect flying creatures if caught in the "freezing rain and sleet fall in a 20-foot-tall cylinder" "to make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, it falls prone " though Glazhael cold immunity makes me a little worried about making that call really...
“It cannot be seen, cannot be felt, Cannot be heard, cannot be smelt, It lies behind stars and under hills, And empty holes it fills, It comes first and follows after, Ends life, kills laughter.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
“It cannot be seen, cannot be felt, Cannot be heard, cannot be smelt, It lies behind stars and under hills, And empty holes it fills, It comes first and follows after, Ends life, kills laughter.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
I would just add to the battle plan: Glazhael is an old hunter that recognize threats and what is easy to kill.
If you wanna play it extra ruthless, I would have him go towards the squishes that can hit him heavy at long range. The bard, sorcerer and ranger all might seem easier targets than a heavily armored cleric/fighter.
Swoop down, kill a target (literally kill, if someone is unconscious the dragon would know to not let it open to be easily brought back by a healing word - grappling and dropping characters for a free action is a smart action economy way to add 2 death failures easily) and fly back up to avoid melee.
And don't forget that the breath weapon is the dragon greatest asset. Especially on those squishy members.
I would just add to the battle plan: Glazhael is an old hunter that recognize threats and what is easy to kill.
If you wanna play it extra ruthless, I would have him go towards the squishes that can hit him heavy at long range. The bard, sorcerer and ranger all might seem easier targets than a heavily armored cleric/fighter.
Swoop down, kill a target (literally kill, if someone is unconscious the dragon would know to not let it open to be easily brought back by a healing word - grappling and dropping characters for a free action is a smart action economy way to add 2 death failures easily) and fly back up to avoid melee.
And don't forget that the breath weapon is the dragon greatest asset. Especially on those squishy members.
Yeah I figured the cleric first as the old hunter would see the cleric as priority to get rid of with all that potential of adding alot of staying power to the group with those healing words Thanks will be starting in a bit now... I certainly won't forget to use the cold breath was thinking of it more as a tool to scatter the group giving Glazhael the chance to pounce on a isolated target which that initial round 1 turn 1 lair action Freezing fog might achieve... how ever it goes I'm sure it will be fun :D
Mmm... 20:45 wonder if my players have gotten cold feet
Oh yes My Glazhael got a cool little home brew upgrade which should be a nasty little surprise...
Edit update...
well didn't finnish last night which was kind of expected rather time constrained group but we got to round 6! and... OMG what have I done The cleric is squished! the Bard got Frostickled and shattered! the rest of the group are teetering on the edge of the abyss! Glazhael gas taken a pounding and is on it's last 1/4 and is looking to give the Monk some Terminal payback! It's so so close... So epic!
“It cannot be seen, cannot be felt, Cannot be heard, cannot be smelt, It lies behind stars and under hills, And empty holes it fills, It comes first and follows after, Ends life, kills laughter.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
Random and unrelated, but thought it might make y'all laugh.
I've been part of the dnd community for two years, studying it for three, and I just now found out that HotDQ doesn't mean "Attractive Dairy Queen." I feel SO. DUMB.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Hi, I am not a chest. I deny with 100% certainty that I am a chest. I can neither confirm nor deny what I am beyond that.
I used to portray Krathian, Q'ilbrith, Jim, Tara, Turin, Nathan, Tench, Finn, Alvin, and other characters in various taverns.
Random and unrelated, but thought it might make y'all laugh.
I've been part of the dnd community for two years, studying it for three, and I just now found out that HotDQ doesn't mean "Attractive Dairy Queen." I feel SO. DUMB.
:D Oh but it does, it's that hidden side quest on page...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“It cannot be seen, cannot be felt, Cannot be heard, cannot be smelt, It lies behind stars and under hills, And empty holes it fills, It comes first and follows after, Ends life, kills laughter.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
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HotDQ Glazhael (Adult White Dragon) Showdown- any advice?
So I Finally made it! tonight I have my BBEG HotDQ showdown in Skyreach Castle with Glazhael the Cloudchaser! Adult White Dragon
My HotDQ campaign is heavily modified particularly Skyreach Castle suffice to say Glazhael the Cloudchaser is the BBEG that the group is up against.
So I wanted to give a quick rundown of how the combat rounds might go ie what actions Glazhael would make that would be thematically correct and make for a fun battle. I haven’t run legendary actions nor Lair actions combats before so would definitely appreciate any comments thoughts…
Battle Area Glazhael Lair main chamber Ice cavern ~350 foot diameter 100 foot to 200 foot max ceiling (135 foot diameter central opening to Glazhael upper chamber sleep area)
Glazhael the Cloudchaser will be confronting the players at ground level in the centre of the main chamber 60 foot away
Environmental hazards (Ice cold difficult terrain ice biting chill) PC’s without immunity or resistance to cold damage disadvantage on Strength and Dexterity checks. All PC have winter clothing so past exhaustion checks, difficult terrain movement halved
PC’s NPC’s
Sorcerer
Monk
Fighter/Ranger
Cleric/Fighter
Ranger
Bard
Surprize very unlikely unless the PC role play and gives particularly deceptive smooth talk to Glazhael the party has entered the lair disguised as Dragon Cultists and is carrying loads of treasure so possible…
Assuming initiative combat order and no surprise with a 60 foot separation
0) Initiative count 20 lair action
1) PC-Monk
2) PC-Ranger
3) PC-Bard
4) Glazhael
5) Fighter/Ranger
6) Sorcerer
7) Cleric/Fighter
Round 1 turn 1 (ini 20) - Glazhael take lair action Freezing fog fills a 20-foot-radius sphere on the group
Round 1 turn 2 Monk
Round 1 turn 3 Ranger
Round 1 turn 4 Bard
Round 1 turn 5 Glazhael -
uses 10 feet of 80 flying speed to get airborne and climb to 10 foot -
uses Frightful Presence -
flies 60 (70/80) foot to the group
cold breath attack- * thx Sanvael for clarifying Glazhael's turn it can one of either: Multiattack - Bite, 2x Claw, Frightful Presence or Tail attack or Cold Breath or spell gust of wind.ie this turn Glazhael uses Multiattack - Bite, 2x Claw, Frightful Presence
bite attack on cleric -
descends 5 foot (75/80) -
claw attack on cleric -
uses 2nd claw attack on cleric as grapple attack on cleric (a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the target’s Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check (the target chooses the ability to use) - assume Glazhael succeeds -
climbs 5 foot to 10 foot (80/80)
Round 1 turn 6 Fighter/Ranger - Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions) and flies 40 foot Up total 50 foot
Round 1 turn 7 Sorcerer -
Round 1 turn 8 Cleric/Fighter prob use action to escape grapple - assume failure -
Round 2 turn 9 Glazhael take lair action Jagged ice shards fall
Round 2 turn 10 Monk
Round 2 turn 11 Ranger
Round 2 turn 12 Bard
Round 2 turn 13 Glazhael flies 80 foot total 130 foot bites claws cleric/fighter and then drops them for 13d6 bludgeoning dmg
And so on… have I got the right idea about lair actions (init 20) legendary actions at the end of other player's turns after Glazhael first turn (ie Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions) gives him half flying speed even if already moved max? Do you think Glazhael is acting correctly concentrating on the healer's first bite claw grapple fly up bite claw tail slash drop?
Thanks for any replies thoughts
“It cannot be seen, cannot be felt, Cannot be heard, cannot be smelt, It lies behind stars and under hills, And empty holes it fills, It comes first and follows after, Ends life, kills laughter.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
On Glazhael's turn it can either:
You must choose one of these. Really, you will use Cold Breath turn 1, then multiattack until Cold Breath recharges. Tail attack should only be used as a legendary action.
Also, be sure to mention to your players that they can Shove a flying creature, knocking it prone and causing it to immediately fall. They may not know this, and they need to know the rule to counter lift/drop mechanics.
that reminds me...
White Dragon Spellcasting
Spell Save DC
so on Glazhael's turn it can either:
with the tail attack really only to be used as a cost 1 of 3 legendary action per turn at the end of another player's turn.
thanks for clarifying that Sanvael
"Shove a flying creature" "counter lift/drop mechanics" ok I'll have to look that up myself not familiar with that :o
Shoving a Creature
Using the Attack action, you can make a special melee attack to shove a creature, either to knock it prone or push it away from you. If you’re able to make multiple attacks with the Attack action, this attack replaces one of them.
The target must be no more than one size larger than you and must be within your reach. Instead of making an attack roll, you make a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the target’s Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check (the target chooses the ability to use). You succeed automatically if the target is incapacitated. If you succeed, you either knock the target prone or push it 5 feet away from you.
Size Categories
Adult White Dragon
Yeah so I don't think they'll be shoving Glazhael around it's no push over ;)
Luckily they did pick up the magic item wand of winter which has the spell sleet storm which I seem to remember a discussion on would affect flying creatures if caught in the "freezing rain and sleet fall in a 20-foot-tall cylinder" "to make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, it falls prone "
though Glazhael cold immunity makes me a little worried about making that call really...
“It cannot be seen, cannot be felt, Cannot be heard, cannot be smelt, It lies behind stars and under hills, And empty holes it fills, It comes first and follows after, Ends life, kills laughter.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
Oh yeah, forgot he's a big boy.
Sleet Storm will work, immunity to Cold damage only makes him immune to damage, not other elements of spells that are cold-themed.
cool with your vote in favour I'll feel all the better in viewing it that way
“It cannot be seen, cannot be felt, Cannot be heard, cannot be smelt, It lies behind stars and under hills, And empty holes it fills, It comes first and follows after, Ends life, kills laughter.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
All what is stated above is perfectly good.
I would just add to the battle plan: Glazhael is an old hunter that recognize threats and what is easy to kill.
If you wanna play it extra ruthless, I would have him go towards the squishes that can hit him heavy at long range. The bard, sorcerer and ranger all might seem easier targets than a heavily armored cleric/fighter.
Swoop down, kill a target (literally kill, if someone is unconscious the dragon would know to not let it open to be easily brought back by a healing word - grappling and dropping characters for a free action is a smart action economy way to add 2 death failures easily) and fly back up to avoid melee.
And don't forget that the breath weapon is the dragon greatest asset. Especially on those squishy members.
Yeah I figured the cleric first as the old hunter would see the cleric as priority to get rid of with all that potential of adding alot of staying power to the group with those healing words
Thanks will be starting in a bit now...
I certainly won't forget to use the cold breath was thinking of it more as a tool to scatter the group giving Glazhael the chance to pounce on a isolated target which that initial round 1 turn 1 lair action Freezing fog might achieve... how ever it goes I'm sure it will be fun :D
Mmm... 20:45 wonder if my players have gotten cold feet
Oh yes My Glazhael got a cool little home brew upgrade which should be a nasty little surprise...
Edit update...
well didn't finnish last night which was kind of expected rather time constrained group but we got to round 6! and...
OMG what have I done The cleric is squished! the Bard got Frostickled and shattered! the rest of the group are teetering on the edge of the abyss!
Glazhael gas taken a pounding and is on it's last 1/4 and is looking to give the Monk some Terminal payback!
It's so so close... So epic!
“It cannot be seen, cannot be felt, Cannot be heard, cannot be smelt, It lies behind stars and under hills, And empty holes it fills, It comes first and follows after, Ends life, kills laughter.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
Random and unrelated, but thought it might make y'all laugh.
I've been part of the dnd community for two years, studying it for three, and I just now found out that HotDQ doesn't mean "Attractive Dairy Queen." I feel SO. DUMB.
Hi, I am not a chest. I deny with 100% certainty that I am a chest. I can neither confirm nor deny what I am beyond that.
I used to portray Krathian, Q'ilbrith, Jim, Tara, Turin, Nathan, Tench, Finn, Alvin, and other characters in various taverns.
I also do homebrew, check out my Spells and Magic Items
"That is not dead which can eternal lie, and with strange eons, even death may die"
:D Oh but it does, it's that hidden side quest on page...
“It cannot be seen, cannot be felt, Cannot be heard, cannot be smelt, It lies behind stars and under hills, And empty holes it fills, It comes first and follows after, Ends life, kills laughter.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, or There and Back Again