So I'm hopefully going to be starting a new D&D game. I haven't had a chance to run 5th edition or play in one yet.
I want to make the game challenging but I have a lot of "solo" type "monsters" for the first game session. ( The general idea is that the PCs aren't going to be fighting them, but might and one is going to escape.)
Namely I don't want the NPC who is going to escape to get killed in one round. ( But I'm okay if by a crit or something he does.)
Ideally his escape is to allow other characters to shine by tracking him and an eventual showdown, probably in the same game session.
So how much damage does a typical level one PC do per round per class.
I may need to sit down and look at build options to see what kind of damage im potentially looking at.
8, assuming average d8 damage and a stat bonus of +3.
That is way too low. A ranger alone can potentially do on average at least 2d8 + stat (a ranger not using hunters mark?) and an additional 1d8 given an option and attacking already damaged. And twice that if going two weapon fighting.
I need to look at fighters. I imagine spellcasters probably are going to do 3d10.
Barbarians are like 2d12 or 3d12 + stat.
I feel like a single monster still needs like over 100 hp to not die in one round to a level one character lol.
8, assuming average d8 damage and a stat bonus of +3.
That is way too low. A ranger alone can potentially do on average at least 2d8 + stat (a ranger not using hunters mark?) and an additional 1d8 given an option and attacking already damaged. And twice that if going two weapon fighting.
I need to look at fighters. I imagine spellcasters probably are going to do 3d10.
Barbarians are like 2d12 or 3d12 + stat.
I feel like a single monster still needs like over 100 hp to not die in one round to a level one character lol.
Please, can you explain how do you came up with those numbers?
A 1st level ranger, with two weapons fighting, can do: 1d6+stas (primary weapon) + 1d6+stats (secondary weapon).
A 1st level barbarian, with a Greataxe, does 1d12+stats, If you use Rage, you have a bonus of +2.
Well, if you wanted Min/Max damage, you should have asked for the "typical average damaged for each character class at first level using their full combat capabilities for one attack". So if you want your NPC to survive a single blow from a character class capable of enhanced combat damage, you better be thinking Variant Human with a Feat that gives them the +10 damage because that's going to be more than the wimpy off-hand attack at 1st level.
So 10 +d8/d12 (bow vs. great axe) + 4 (18 Dex/Str) +d6 (munchkin factor) = 23 - 25 hp per arrow/axe blow. Double that number and that's a safe hit point total to assure your NPC can escape the combat in round two.
Or rather than wasting the time figuring out atypical damage by character class at first level, just have your NPC escape in Round 2 regardless of the damage dealt, just note what they took in Round 1 and add one hit point to that total and you now have that NPC's hit points for the future finale encounter. If the story elements require the NPC to survive the encounter, you're the DM, make the bugger survive the encounter!!! Metagame be damned!
I think the question is more "how much can a party nova" versus sustain. I use the sustain damage mostly, same as Rexx, but factor in that first round nova.
Nova being people pull out big guns early on in an encounter hoping to down some. Less monsters means less hits for them and more survivability. It's when the Paladin smites and spell slots are used.
Level 1 is pretty light on that, but the bbeg is a classic DM pitfall for being a nova target. If give him some other mechanic like a displacer cloak or blurr spell to mitigate the pain train. Still reserve a place in your campaign for the players to overcome this. Punishing players for a hard mode victory is bad feels and railroading.
When trying to discover how much the party can handle I normally just use the CR system the DMG talks about. http://dhmholley.co.uk/encounter-calculator-5th/ This is an encounter calculator to give you an idea of where your players and monsters should be.
8, assuming average d8 damage and a stat bonus of +3.
That is way too low. A ranger alone can potentially do on average at least 2d8 + stat (a ranger not using hunters mark?) and an additional 1d8 given an option and attacking already damaged. And twice that if going two weapon fighting.
I need to look at fighters. I imagine spellcasters probably are going to do 3d10.
Barbarians are like 2d12 or 3d12 + stat.
I feel like a single monster still needs like over 100 hp to not die in one round to a level one character lol.
Please, can you explain how do you came up with those numbers?
A 1st level ranger, with two weapons fighting, can do: 1d6+stas (primary weapon) + 1d6+stats (secondary weapon).
A 1st level barbarian, with a Greataxe, does 1d12+stats, If you use Rage, you have a bonus of +2.
I accidentally used a Ranger at level 3 not level forgetting rangers don't get spells at level one. My bad.
8, assuming average d8 damage and a stat bonus of +3.
That is way too low. A ranger alone can potentially do on average at least 2d8 + stat (a ranger not using hunters mark?) and an additional 1d8 given an option and attacking already damaged. And twice that if going two weapon fighting.
I need to look at fighters. I imagine spellcasters probably are going to do 3d10.
Barbarians are like 2d12 or 3d12 + stat.
I feel like a single monster still needs like over 100 hp to not die in one round to a level one character lol.
Please, can you explain how do you came up with those numbers?
A 1st level ranger, with two weapons fighting, can do: 1d6+stas (primary weapon) + 1d6+stats (secondary weapon).
A 1st level barbarian, with a Greataxe, does 1d12+stats, If you use Rage, you have a bonus of +2.
I accidentally used a Ranger at level 3 not level forgetting rangers don't get spells at level one. My bad.
Also overlooked this. So used to people starting at 3 as non babies with their archetype picked and what not.
So I'm hopefully going to be starting a new D&D game. I haven't had a chance to run 5th edition or play in one yet.
I want to make the game challenging but I have a lot of "solo" type "monsters" for the first game session. ( The general idea is that the PCs aren't going to be fighting them, but might and one is going to escape.)
Namely I don't want the NPC who is going to escape to get killed in one round. ( But I'm okay if by a crit or something he does.)
Ideally his escape is to allow other characters to shine by tracking him and an eventual showdown, probably in the same game session.
So how much damage does a typical level one PC do per round per class.
I may need to sit down and look at build options to see what kind of damage im potentially looking at.
8, assuming average d8 damage and a stat bonus of +3.
We all leave footprints in the sands of time.
Well, if you wanted Min/Max damage, you should have asked for the "typical average damaged for each character class at first level using their full combat capabilities for one attack". So if you want your NPC to survive a single blow from a character class capable of enhanced combat damage, you better be thinking Variant Human with a Feat that gives them the +10 damage because that's going to be more than the wimpy off-hand attack at 1st level.
So 10 +d8/d12 (bow vs. great axe) + 4 (18 Dex/Str) +d6 (munchkin factor) = 23 - 25 hp per arrow/axe blow. Double that number and that's a safe hit point total to assure your NPC can escape the combat in round two.
Or rather than wasting the time figuring out atypical damage by character class at first level, just have your NPC escape in Round 2 regardless of the damage dealt, just note what they took in Round 1 and add one hit point to that total and you now have that NPC's hit points for the future finale encounter. If the story elements require the NPC to survive the encounter, you're the DM, make the bugger survive the encounter!!! Metagame be damned!
We all leave footprints in the sands of time.
I just like the potential for my plans to be usurped by planning on the PCs part.
I think the question is more "how much can a party nova" versus sustain. I use the sustain damage mostly, same as Rexx, but factor in that first round nova.
Nova being people pull out big guns early on in an encounter hoping to down some. Less monsters means less hits for them and more survivability. It's when the Paladin smites and spell slots are used.
Level 1 is pretty light on that, but the bbeg is a classic DM pitfall for being a nova target. If give him some other mechanic like a displacer cloak or blurr spell to mitigate the pain train. Still reserve a place in your campaign for the players to overcome this. Punishing players for a hard mode victory is bad feels and railroading.
When trying to discover how much the party can handle I normally just use the CR system the DMG talks about. http://dhmholley.co.uk/encounter-calculator-5th/ This is an encounter calculator to give you an idea of where your players and monsters should be.
Assuming the standard ability score array, no magic items, no crits, and the worst-case scenario otherwise:
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Shillelagh can be used only by the druid. The druid can't hand the staff to another.
usually around 5 to 12 damage also depends on wizards as well