Hi, I was homebrewing a giant snake for my group, since they're travelling through a swamp. Now: it's a Naga without the spells, so I would like any suggestion. :) My players are a Bard, a Barbarian, a Cleric, a Sorcerer and a Warlock of level 3.
Easiest path might be to reskin a Giant Snake. It's already CR2, so should be more balanced for this group with minor uplift. I would use HP and AC from your sample and let it use both bite and constrict in the same turn. That should be strong enough witout the poison. If the snake gets below 50% and you don't think the players are challenged, add the poison back and flavor it that now the snake is really upset.
I was watching the Giant Snake, but my Barbarian literally DESTROY everything I threw at my party. They always survive fight with monsters at least 2 CR higher...for some reason...
Might be easiest to increase the challenge by adding other factors. Good Barbarian's should always rule a straightforward fight, so don't make it straightforward. Cleric and Bard on the team should turn that barbarian into a god, little G ;-).
Maybe they come to a section where they have to push through chest deep water. Your "Anaconda" gets to fight while underwater. Sounds simple, but can be very nasty for a low level party. Difficult terrain for the party, so the snake can ambush a party member and drag them under. Perception issues as the Snake is under muddy water and there is a limited ability to spot it. Snake suffers no penalties as this is it's "lair". Ambush a caster and start pulling them away from the party will scare the crap out of them, while the barbarian flails around looking for something to hit. Think Star Wars Episode 4 in the trash compactor.
Underwater rules (best recollection): all melee at disadvantage except dagger/spear, can't cast as they can't breathe. Maybe even rule that the party needs to pass a perception check to even attack the snake each round.
Hi, I was homebrewing a giant snake for my group, since they're travelling through a swamp. Now: it's a Naga without the spells, so I would like any suggestion. :) My players are a Bard, a Barbarian, a Cleric, a Sorcerer and a Warlock of level 3.
*Also the CR which will obviously not be 10.
Easiest path might be to reskin a Giant Snake. It's already CR2, so should be more balanced for this group with minor uplift. I would use HP and AC from your sample and let it use both bite and constrict in the same turn. That should be strong enough witout the poison. If the snake gets below 50% and you don't think the players are challenged, add the poison back and flavor it that now the snake is really upset.
I was watching the Giant Snake, but my Barbarian literally DESTROY everything I threw at my party. They always survive fight with monsters at least 2 CR higher...for some reason...
Might be easiest to increase the challenge by adding other factors. Good Barbarian's should always rule a straightforward fight, so don't make it straightforward. Cleric and Bard on the team should turn that barbarian into a god, little G ;-).
Maybe they come to a section where they have to push through chest deep water. Your "Anaconda" gets to fight while underwater. Sounds simple, but can be very nasty for a low level party. Difficult terrain for the party, so the snake can ambush a party member and drag them under. Perception issues as the Snake is under muddy water and there is a limited ability to spot it. Snake suffers no penalties as this is it's "lair". Ambush a caster and start pulling them away from the party will scare the crap out of them, while the barbarian flails around looking for something to hit. Think Star Wars Episode 4 in the trash compactor.
Underwater rules (best recollection): all melee at disadvantage except dagger/spear, can't cast as they can't breathe. Maybe even rule that the party needs to pass a perception check to even attack the snake each round.
Wow! Cool! I'll definitely try on the next session! Thank you! ;)