I just wanted to see how others felt about modifying monsters and NPC's with Legendary Actions. I want my bosses to feel like they are epic. I do this by adding unique abilities as legendary actions. The legendary actions aren't game breaking they just allow an NPC to do things in a fight to make them more epic.
Example: I had a goblin assassin boss named Needle that was only a CR4. I added the following ability to him:
Needle can take 2 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Needle regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.
Dash Shot (Cost 1 action): Move 15 feet away and shoot a single arrow.
What do other people think about doing this to make encounters like this much more dangerous?
I support this entirely. The rules are meant as a guide, not a restraint. Adding lair actions to beef up a monster adds to the challenge in combat and it also adds to the theme of the encounter. I would say "Move up to 15 feet" in case he only wants to move 10.
I'm pretty sure the DMG specifically recommends adding legendary actions as the first change to make a creature more important and stronger in battle. I may be missremembering though.
I'm pretty sure the DMG specifically recommends adding legendary actions as the first change to make a creature more important and stronger in battle. I may be missremembering though.
I thought the same thing. Going back because I am writing some material and I really like to keep things within the scope of the rules (for the most part), I could not find anything supporting adding Legendary Actions to creatures or NPC's. I've been doing it (adding legendary actions) for awhile but I was looking for feedback on what others thought. I've added reactions, multiattacks, special ammunition and recharges.
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I just wanted to see how others felt about modifying monsters and NPC's with Legendary Actions. I want my bosses to feel like they are epic. I do this by adding unique abilities as legendary actions. The legendary actions aren't game breaking they just allow an NPC to do things in a fight to make them more epic.
Example: I had a goblin assassin boss named Needle that was only a CR4. I added the following ability to him:
What do other people think about doing this to make encounters like this much more dangerous?
I support this entirely. The rules are meant as a guide, not a restraint. Adding lair actions to beef up a monster adds to the challenge in combat and it also adds to the theme of the encounter. I would say "Move up to 15 feet" in case he only wants to move 10.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
I also support this entirely. I add legendary/lair actions to all of my lieutenants/boss monsters. It makes them feel more unique/special.
Legendary Actions are essentially a requirement to have one creature fight a party, as well. It helps to even out the action economy.
This line got me thinking about one of my own boss fights in an upcoming session. Thanks for putting this perspective in my mind.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
I'm pretty sure the DMG specifically recommends adding legendary actions as the first change to make a creature more important and stronger in battle. I may be missremembering though.
I thought the same thing. Going back because I am writing some material and I really like to keep things within the scope of the rules (for the most part), I could not find anything supporting adding Legendary Actions to creatures or NPC's. I've been doing it (adding legendary actions) for awhile but I was looking for feedback on what others thought. I've added reactions, multiattacks, special ammunition and recharges.