So I'm running a campaign and I can't find a BBEG that would have a theme (or CR) I'm satisfied with for the final fight.
As such, I designed my own and would like some feedback on whether or not a party of 5 lvl 20 characters would be able to handle this, how much of a challenge it would be and any advice on how you would alter it to make it more fun.
Their equipment would be 7-8 magic items total for the party of Very rare ~ Legendary quality and and maybe a handful of other items, depending on how they spend their free time.
The Darkness
HP: 500 AC: 21
STR 30(+10) DEX 10(+0) CON 25(+7) INT 26(+8) WIS 20(+5) CHA 18(+4)
Saving throws: STR +17, CON +14, INT +15, WIS +12, CHA +11
Damage Immunities: poison, necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical weapons
Immutable Form. The Darkness is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form.
Multiattack. Makes three attacks with Shadow Tendrils and/or Eye Rays.
Shadow Tendril. Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 20 ft., 20 (3d6+10) Necrotic damage and 11 (3d6) Psychic damage.
Eye Ray. Direct a beam of energy at a creature. The creature must make a DC 23 DEX save, taking 22 (4d10) Psychic damage on a failure or half as much on success.
Wail of Darkness (Recharge 5-6). DC 23 Wisdom save. On a failed save all enemy creatures suffer 4d10 Psychic damage and lose concentration on any spells. Targets take half damage on success. Afterwards, creatures in a 90 ft. cone make a DC 23 Constitution save, taking 10d8 Necrotic damage on a failed save or half on success.
Legendary Resistances 3/day
Legendary Actions (3/round):
Shadow Tendril.
Eye Ray.
Spawn Scythe (2 actions). The scythe takes an immediate turn this round and then has it's initiative set to that of the lair for future rounds.
I would say it's pretty balanced, but three things to add:
It doesn't have a size or creature type at the moment. Better add those in for certain effects.
It doesn't have a movement speed. That will probably be really important.
It is not currently immune to being restrained or grappled. You might want to add those in or else your party might just throw it off a cliff with the barbarian.
Other than upping the hit points and AC a little, I'd say you'd have a balanced endgame monster.
Hosted a battle between the Cult of Sedge and the Forum Countershere(Done now). I_Love_Tarrasques has won the fight, scoring a victory for the fiendish Moderators.
I probably should mention that they won't be fighting it at full strength. It will depend on how the previous fight goes, but I'm fairly certain that I'll need to give them a special rest, which will provide in the following: heal up to 75% max HP and a free arcane recovery for all casters.
With this, is the Darkness still balanced?
As for the points you mention, I did have them in mind, just didn't put them into writing :P
The size would be gargantuan and it is a floating mass of, well, darkness.
The lack of speed is intentional as it will be stationary - the main reason why it has a ranged attack and rather long range on it's melee attacks.
Oh, if it's Gargantuan, then you don't have to have it immune to grappled. Medium creatures can only grapple Large creatures. One thing though. What is the range of Eye Ray and Wail of Darkness? If it's infinite, then what's to stop this thing from constantly using them until the PCs are dead. I would suggest having the Eye Ray be 600 feet if you have any players with Sharpshooter, as they can just snipe it from a distance and not be chased.
I do think that it would still be balanced even with their health down, just don't make the range of its attacks infinite if they need to run away at any point. If the range is infinite, they're just straight up dead.
Hosted a battle between the Cult of Sedge and the Forum Countershere(Done now). I_Love_Tarrasques has won the fight, scoring a victory for the fiendish Moderators.
They'll be stuck in a pocket dimension (it's basically do or die), roughly 150x150, so that would be the soft cap for it's range, which is why I didn't even think about it.
Anyway, thanks again, you definitely eased my worries.
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I would say it's pretty balanced, but three things to add:
It doesn't have a size or creature type at the moment. Better add those in for certain effects.
It doesn't have a movement speed. That will probably be really important.
It is not currently immune to being restrained or grappled. You might want to add those in or else your party might just throw it off a cliff with the barbarian.
Other than upping the hit points and AC a little, I'd say you'd have a balanced endgame monster.
Hope you enjoy your boss fight!
Subclass Evaluations So Far:
Sorcerer
Warlock
My statblock. Fear me!
Hosted a battle between the Cult of Sedge and the Forum Counters here(Done now). I_Love_Tarrasques has won the fight, scoring a victory for the fiendish Moderators.
Hey,
thanks for the reply.
I probably should mention that they won't be fighting it at full strength. It will depend on how the previous fight goes, but I'm fairly certain that I'll need to give them a special rest, which will provide in the following: heal up to 75% max HP and a free arcane recovery for all casters.
With this, is the Darkness still balanced?
As for the points you mention, I did have them in mind, just didn't put them into writing :P
The size would be gargantuan and it is a floating mass of, well, darkness.
The lack of speed is intentional as it will be stationary - the main reason why it has a ranged attack and rather long range on it's melee attacks.
The grapple should be added, true.
Oh, if it's Gargantuan, then you don't have to have it immune to grappled. Medium creatures can only grapple Large creatures. One thing though. What is the range of Eye Ray and Wail of Darkness? If it's infinite, then what's to stop this thing from constantly using them until the PCs are dead. I would suggest having the Eye Ray be 600 feet if you have any players with Sharpshooter, as they can just snipe it from a distance and not be chased.
I do think that it would still be balanced even with their health down, just don't make the range of its attacks infinite if they need to run away at any point. If the range is infinite, they're just straight up dead.
Hope I helped!
Subclass Evaluations So Far:
Sorcerer
Warlock
My statblock. Fear me!
Hosted a battle between the Cult of Sedge and the Forum Counters here(Done now). I_Love_Tarrasques has won the fight, scoring a victory for the fiendish Moderators.
They'll be stuck in a pocket dimension (it's basically do or die), roughly 150x150, so that would be the soft cap for it's range, which is why I didn't even think about it.
Anyway, thanks again, you definitely eased my worries.