Where do lair actions apply? Is it just in the final encounter with the big bad, or throughout the entire lair, thereby applying to all of the smaller lead-up encounters?
Small spoilers ahead.
I am running Rise of Tiamat and the party are about to enter Diderius’s Tomb. The book states food spoils and water evaporates in the description for the well room, which insinuates the lair effects are felt throughout the tomb. Does this extend to lair actions? It would certainly make things like turn undead less likely to succeed and cause the spellcasters some grief.
Typically it's the entire lair, rather than just the last chamber with the Big Bad - so may be an entire level of a dungeon/complex or an entire fort.
One of the best things about lair effects is that they add a lot of flavour to assaulting a specific lair - the effects are felt way before the party even reach the Big Bad.
I think from a game design prospective it would be better if the lair action is throughout the dungeon because then the players can see it and adapt to it. That way your not throwing new mechanics at them at the last minute.
I ran a dungeon once where 75% of the entire dungeon was finding out what the lair actions are and how to avoid them, just to be prepared enough for the "final boss". After the session my players told me it was their favorite dungeon that I've made so far.
Keep in mind that a lot of the lair actions require the owner of the lair to see the target or target area. Some creatures will have the ability to see large parts of a dungeon, others will only be able to see their immediate vicinity.
Hi Guys
I have a question about lair actions.
Where do lair actions apply? Is it just in the final encounter with the big bad, or throughout the entire lair, thereby applying to all of the smaller lead-up encounters?
Small spoilers ahead.
I am running Rise of Tiamat and the party are about to enter Diderius’s Tomb. The book states food spoils and water evaporates in the description for the well room, which insinuates the lair effects are felt throughout the tomb. Does this extend to lair actions? It would certainly make things like turn undead less likely to succeed and cause the spellcasters some grief.
Thanks in advance.
Simon
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D&D Beyond FoundersTypically it's the entire lair, rather than just the last chamber with the Big Bad - so may be an entire level of a dungeon/complex or an entire fort.
One of the best things about lair effects is that they add a lot of flavour to assaulting a specific lair - the effects are felt way before the party even reach the Big Bad.
Overall, it's up to you as the DM.
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I think from a game design prospective it would be better if the lair action is throughout the dungeon because then the players can see it and adapt to it. That way your not throwing new mechanics at them at the last minute.
Ok great, thanks guys. That makes sense to me.
I ran a dungeon once where 75% of the entire dungeon was finding out what the lair actions are and how to avoid them, just to be prepared enough for the "final boss". After the session my players told me it was their favorite dungeon that I've made so far.
Keep in mind that a lot of the lair actions require the owner of the lair to see the target or target area. Some creatures will have the ability to see large parts of a dungeon, others will only be able to see their immediate vicinity.
I never even considered running lair actions for the entire dungeon and not just the boss chamber.
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