Looking for input from DMs who have run CoS for what level your party went to Castle Ravenloft and how difficult they found the overall encounter to be.
I see that the module recommends no higher than level 10 for the players. Has anyone had a party of level 10 adventurers at the end of the campaign? Was Castle Ravenloft and the final fight still challenging for the players or did it seem easy for a party at that level?
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I've got level 10 adventurers with all 3 magic items and they're in line to completely walk the final encounter.
I've added more spells to his book and buffed up the final location with minions (since he's been spying on them he knows he needs additional spells etc) so hopefully it will balance at least.
I threw him at them as a test with the three brides and a werewolf and they dropped him to < 15hp in 3 rounds so don't be worried about it being too hard if they've built up to the final encounters.
Strahd is a bit problematic as a boss because his optimal combat style, while quite dangerous, is generally frustrating instead of fun; just sneak up on the party (Stealth +14), fight for one or two rounds, then use Lair Action (pass through walls) and Legendary Action (Move) to escape, sit around regenerating, rinse, repeat. This isn't unbeatable (you just need to immobilize him for long enough that you can beat him down; oddly enough, his mist form is not immune to the Grappled or Restrained conditions) but between generally good saves, legendary resistance, and the fact that legendary actions occur outside of his initiative, it's not easy.
Strahd is a bit problematic as a boss because his optimal combat style, while quite dangerous, is generally frustrating instead of fun; just sneak up on the party (Stealth +14), fight for one or two rounds, then use Lair Action (pass through walls) and Legendary Action (Move) to escape, sit around regenerating, rinse, repeat. This isn't unbeatable (you just need to immobilize him for long enough that you can beat him down; oddly enough, his mist form is not immune to the Grappled or Restrained conditions) but between generally good saves, legendary resistance, and the fact that legendary actions occur outside of his initiative, it's not easy.
Strahd is a bit problematic as a boss because his optimal combat style, while quite dangerous, is generally frustrating instead of fun; just sneak up on the party (Stealth +14), fight for one or two rounds, then use Lair Action (pass through walls) and Legendary Action (Move) to escape, sit around regenerating, rinse, repeat. This isn't unbeatable (you just need to immobilize him for long enough that you can beat him down; oddly enough, his mist form is not immune to the Grappled or Restrained conditions) but between generally good saves, legendary resistance, and the fact that legendary actions occur outside of his initiative, it's not easy.
Or you could mind spike him?
That will help against the stealth part, but it doesn't let you attack through walls and is consuming your concentration.
Strahd is a bit problematic as a boss because his optimal combat style, while quite dangerous, is generally frustrating instead of fun; just sneak up on the party (Stealth +14), fight for one or two rounds, then use Lair Action (pass through walls) and Legendary Action (Move) to escape, sit around regenerating, rinse, repeat. This isn't unbeatable (you just need to immobilize him for long enough that you can beat him down; oddly enough, his mist form is not immune to the Grappled or Restrained conditions) but between generally good saves, legendary resistance, and the fact that legendary actions occur outside of his initiative, it's not easy.
Or you could mind spike him?
That will help against the stealth part, but it doesn't let you attack through walls and is consuming your concentration.
What else do you need to concentrate on while he’s on other sides of walls?
also. Portable rams. Pick axes. Looks like you can find a use for them for your tavern brawler barbarian without losing combat effectiveness.
🤷🏼♂️ And you know where the target is. So you can do a blind teleport/dimension door. And surprise him that way.
also, meld with stone is a great way to punk him and beat him at his own game ambushing him back
Strahd is a bit problematic as a boss because his optimal combat style, while quite dangerous, is generally frustrating instead of fun; just sneak up on the party (Stealth +14), fight for one or two rounds, then use Lair Action (pass through walls) and Legendary Action (Move) to escape, sit around regenerating, rinse, repeat. This isn't unbeatable (you just need to immobilize him for long enough that you can beat him down; oddly enough, his mist form is not immune to the Grappled or Restrained conditions) but between generally good saves, legendary resistance, and the fact that legendary actions occur outside of his initiative, it's not easy.
Or you could mind spike him?
That will help against the stealth part, but it doesn't let you attack through walls and is consuming your concentration.
What else do you need to concentrate on while he’s on other sides of walls?
also. Portable rams. Pick axes. Looks like you can find a use for them for your tavern brawler barbarian without losing combat effectiveness.
🤷🏼♂️ And you know where the target is. So you can do a blind teleport/dimension door. And surprise him that way.
also, meld with stone is a great way to punk him and beat him at his own game ambushing him back
Oh, I agree he's beatable. You just need to be able to make him unable to run away (e.g. glyph of warding with inverted magic circle) or spike your way through his hit points before he can run away. It's just the sort of boss fight that IME players will find more irritating than fun.
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Looking for input from DMs who have run CoS for what level your party went to Castle Ravenloft and how difficult they found the overall encounter to be.
I see that the module recommends no higher than level 10 for the players. Has anyone had a party of level 10 adventurers at the end of the campaign? Was Castle Ravenloft and the final fight still challenging for the players or did it seem easy for a party at that level?
Three-time Judge of the Competition of the Finest Brews! Come join us in making fun, unique homebrew and voting for your favorite entries!
I've got level 10 adventurers with all 3 magic items and they're in line to completely walk the final encounter.
I've added more spells to his book and buffed up the final location with minions (since he's been spying on them he knows he needs additional spells etc) so hopefully it will balance at least.
I threw him at them as a test with the three brides and a werewolf and they dropped him to < 15hp in 3 rounds so don't be worried about it being too hard if they've built up to the final encounters.
Good luck!
Strahd is a bit problematic as a boss because his optimal combat style, while quite dangerous, is generally frustrating instead of fun; just sneak up on the party (Stealth +14), fight for one or two rounds, then use Lair Action (pass through walls) and Legendary Action (Move) to escape, sit around regenerating, rinse, repeat. This isn't unbeatable (you just need to immobilize him for long enough that you can beat him down; oddly enough, his mist form is not immune to the Grappled or Restrained conditions) but between generally good saves, legendary resistance, and the fact that legendary actions occur outside of his initiative, it's not easy.
Or you could mind spike him?
Blank
That will help against the stealth part, but it doesn't let you attack through walls and is consuming your concentration.
What else do you need to concentrate on while he’s on other sides of walls?
also. Portable rams. Pick axes. Looks like you can find a use for them for your tavern brawler barbarian without losing combat effectiveness.
🤷🏼♂️
And you know where the target is. So you can do a blind teleport/dimension door. And surprise him that way.
also, meld with stone is a great way to punk him and beat him at his own game ambushing him back
Blank
Oh, I agree he's beatable. You just need to be able to make him unable to run away (e.g. glyph of warding with inverted magic circle) or spike your way through his hit points before he can run away. It's just the sort of boss fight that IME players will find more irritating than fun.