Okay so I am DMing for the first time, but it is just myself and one other player playing, as we're just doing a one-shot. I had an idea for a one-shot where we do something of a dungeon with multiple bosses, getting harder as the one-shot goes on. I currently have around 4-5 bosses planned, but I'm not sure how hard I should make them..
The plan is that there are going to be two level 12 characters. And then 3 NPCs that I am thinking of making around level 6-7 ish, to help in the fights and such.
But as I've never really made stat blocks before, I'm not really sure what CR I should make these bosses. We want a decent challenge, but we also don't want to get instantly killed haha.
If you're a first time DM, use official stat blocks. level 7 NPCs are going to be obliterated by something that will challenge level 12s. All characters should be the same level. The encounter builder will tell you what CR to use.
The plan is that there are going to be two level 12 characters. And then 3 NPCs that I am thinking of making around level 6-7 ish, to help in the fights and such.
But as I've never really made stat blocks before, I'm not really sure what CR I should make these bosses. We want a decent challenge, but we also don't want to get instantly killed haha.
So very many issues here to address, so I'll try and be as gentle as I can.
1. D&D 5e (and 5.5e) aren't really designed for someone to be both player and DM at the same time. There are those who will advocate that solo D&D is possible, but it's really not the best way to get the most from the game. I'd instead advise it being you DMing and your player playing. (Based off you saying 'we want a decent challenge'). A good game shouldn't be player v DM. The DM is more a level builder, puzzle maker etc.
2. As a new DM you've got no model for how the flow of a D&D adventure goes. So you really would benefit from reading over a D&D officially published starter adventure to see how they designed them. If you want some good short adventure ideas, check out Dragon of Icespire Peak. It's quest board based, but each Quest really does give you a good idea of how much can be completed in a single one-shot (Though some locations like Icespire Hold, or Gnomengarde require more than one session to fully explore).
3. A One-Shot really needs just the one boss. Generally speaking a one-shot is a far shorter adventure, most traditionally wrapped up in a single session. In my experience a well designed one-shot is wrapped up in a single four hour session. It'll contain maybe two short combat encounters, and a fairly easy boss encounter. Throw in a puzzle or two and you've got a very basic one-shot. Unless your session is running for the whole day, you're likely not getting more than 6 rooms and 2 boss encounters, even then that would be a real push.
4. Why the mix of levels between the player characters and the NPCs? My initial assumption is that you want the player characters to face off against a specific really cool monster. That's awesome! If it's a one-shot, just have the player characters start at a higher level and dispense with the NPCs. Seriously, it's not worth the pain and hassle. Effectively what you're describing here is a player running two characters and a DM running 6-7 NPCs, before we even consider the enemies. That's WAY too much for anyone to run in a quality way. (As a side note, I've assumed that you and your player have already played D&D before. If not, starting at level 12 or higher is starting off way more difficult than you need to because of how quickly characters become very complex).
5. For new DMs the easiest way to make new creatures is to simply reskin them. There is literally nothing wrong with skimming the Monster Manual, finding a creature that seems sort of close, and just using that stat block. Maybe you reflavour the damage so that the new creature deals force instead of fire damage. Don't get ahead of yourself though. Reskin or use proper stat blocks if this is your first outing. Otherwise you'll end up with an array of option and suggestions from DMs which you won't understand. Starting small allows you to learn the features of creatures first so that later you'll develop the skills to do it to your liking.
One boss generally takes 3/4 of an entire session.
I just ran a session where my players just got past the front door and all of its guards after 1.5 hours of combat. With a twist in the middle. And a "oh no" reveal at the end as a cliffhanger for the next session.
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Okay so I am DMing for the first time, but it is just myself and one other player playing, as we're just doing a one-shot. I had an idea for a one-shot where we do something of a dungeon with multiple bosses, getting harder as the one-shot goes on. I currently have around 4-5 bosses planned, but I'm not sure how hard I should make them..
The plan is that there are going to be two level 12 characters. And then 3 NPCs that I am thinking of making around level 6-7 ish, to help in the fights and such.
But as I've never really made stat blocks before, I'm not really sure what CR I should make these bosses. We want a decent challenge, but we also don't want to get instantly killed haha.
Any advice is much appreciated!
If you're a first time DM, use official stat blocks. level 7 NPCs are going to be obliterated by something that will challenge level 12s. All characters should be the same level. The encounter builder will tell you what CR to use.
So very many issues here to address, so I'll try and be as gentle as I can.
1. D&D 5e (and 5.5e) aren't really designed for someone to be both player and DM at the same time. There are those who will advocate that solo D&D is possible, but it's really not the best way to get the most from the game. I'd instead advise it being you DMing and your player playing. (Based off you saying 'we want a decent challenge'). A good game shouldn't be player v DM. The DM is more a level builder, puzzle maker etc.
2. As a new DM you've got no model for how the flow of a D&D adventure goes. So you really would benefit from reading over a D&D officially published starter adventure to see how they designed them. If you want some good short adventure ideas, check out Dragon of Icespire Peak. It's quest board based, but each Quest really does give you a good idea of how much can be completed in a single one-shot (Though some locations like Icespire Hold, or Gnomengarde require more than one session to fully explore).
3. A One-Shot really needs just the one boss. Generally speaking a one-shot is a far shorter adventure, most traditionally wrapped up in a single session. In my experience a well designed one-shot is wrapped up in a single four hour session. It'll contain maybe two short combat encounters, and a fairly easy boss encounter. Throw in a puzzle or two and you've got a very basic one-shot. Unless your session is running for the whole day, you're likely not getting more than 6 rooms and 2 boss encounters, even then that would be a real push.
4. Why the mix of levels between the player characters and the NPCs? My initial assumption is that you want the player characters to face off against a specific really cool monster. That's awesome! If it's a one-shot, just have the player characters start at a higher level and dispense with the NPCs. Seriously, it's not worth the pain and hassle. Effectively what you're describing here is a player running two characters and a DM running 6-7 NPCs, before we even consider the enemies. That's WAY too much for anyone to run in a quality way. (As a side note, I've assumed that you and your player have already played D&D before. If not, starting at level 12 or higher is starting off way more difficult than you need to because of how quickly characters become very complex).
5. For new DMs the easiest way to make new creatures is to simply reskin them. There is literally nothing wrong with skimming the Monster Manual, finding a creature that seems sort of close, and just using that stat block. Maybe you reflavour the damage so that the new creature deals force instead of fire damage. Don't get ahead of yourself though. Reskin or use proper stat blocks if this is your first outing. Otherwise you'll end up with an array of option and suggestions from DMs which you won't understand. Starting small allows you to learn the features of creatures first so that later you'll develop the skills to do it to your liking.
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" I currently have around 4-5 bosses planned, "
One boss generally takes 3/4 of an entire session.
I just ran a session where my players just got past the front door and all of its guards after 1.5 hours of combat. With a twist in the middle. And a "oh no" reveal at the end as a cliffhanger for the next session.