I'm currently writing a one shot and plan on including some mimics for good old fashioned fun. The idea is that I'll be putting 2 of em disguised as chests in a room and make players think theres a good chest and a bad chest while they are both just mimics.
My question is the following: What type of checks could players use to investigate whether it is a mimic or not? Investigation and Nature come to mind, a nature check would imply they suspect it's a mimic. Any other skills? Kind of ruling out Arcana since there is nothing magical about them.
Also how high would you make the DC? running it fro 3rd lvl chars, so im guessing either 15 or 20? Personally thinking of 20 since disguising is kind of what mimics do and they are awfully good at it, but I'd like some external input in the matter.
My standard checks for a mimic are sacred flame (or other creature specific targetted spell) or, failing that, an arrow from as far away as I can manage.
My standard checks for a mimic are sacred flame (or other creature specific targetted spell) or, failing that, an arrow from as far away as I can manage.
Would you feel cheated if a DM would not let you cast a creature-specific spell at a mimic because you were not aware it was a creature when you cast the spell? The same logic could apply to a gargoyle. The arrow trick would obviously still work.
My standard checks for a mimic are sacred flame (or other creature specific targetted spell) or, failing that, an arrow from as far away as I can manage.
Shouldn't you use something like Toll the Dead instead? With Sacred Flame, aren't you running the risk that, when it is just a chest and not a Mimic, you will damage the contents?
Perhaps since it is indistinguishable, and the clues to suggest its presence would be compex you could have them make a Wisdom (Investigation) check, DC 20-25. If they fail the check then someone unknowingly touches the mimic and sets off the ambush. If they pass the check they may still only have moments before it attacks anyway.
I like this idea, RegentCorreon! Would go for 25 for sure yeah. I like giving the players some chance to circumvent a trap, can make em feel accomplished.
Thanks all for pitching in and helping me out here.
My standard checks for a mimic are sacred flame (or other creature specific targetted spell) or, failing that, an arrow from as far away as I can manage.
Shouldn't you use something like Toll the Dead instead? With Sacred Flame, aren't you running the risk that, when it is just a chest and not a Mimic, you will damage the contents?
[Edit] I guess it's not actually fire, though....
Either way works as neither spell damages objects.
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You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
I'm currently writing a one shot and plan on including some mimics for good old fashioned fun. The idea is that I'll be putting 2 of em disguised as chests in a room and make players think theres a good chest and a bad chest while they are both just mimics.
My question is the following: What type of checks could players use to investigate whether it is a mimic or not? Investigation and Nature come to mind, a nature check would imply they suspect it's a mimic. Any other skills? Kind of ruling out Arcana since there is nothing magical about them.
Also how high would you make the DC? running it fro 3rd lvl chars, so im guessing either 15 or 20? Personally thinking of 20 since disguising is kind of what mimics do and they are awfully good at it, but I'd like some external input in the matter.
Thanks for your 2 cents.
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Hullo!
I'm currently writing a one shot and plan on including some mimics for good old fashioned fun. The idea is that I'll be putting 2 of em disguised as chests in a room and make players think theres a good chest and a bad chest while they are both just mimics.
My question is the following: What type of checks could players use to investigate whether it is a mimic or not? Investigation and Nature come to mind, a nature check would imply they suspect it's a mimic. Any other skills? Kind of ruling out Arcana since there is nothing magical about them.
Also how high would you make the DC? running it fro 3rd lvl chars, so im guessing either 15 or 20? Personally thinking of 20 since disguising is kind of what mimics do and they are awfully good at it, but I'd like some external input in the matter.
Thanks for your 2 cents.
Acording to the mimic's stats. It is indistinguishable from a normal item while motionless.
If you want a check, I'd say DC 20 is being generous.
The mimic is "indistinguishable" from a normal item. I'd say detecting its nature is an impossible task, so DC 30.
My standard checks for a mimic are sacred flame (or other creature specific targetted spell) or, failing that, an arrow from as far away as I can manage.
Would you feel cheated if a DM would not let you cast a creature-specific spell at a mimic because you were not aware it was a creature when you cast the spell? The same logic could apply to a gargoyle. The arrow trick would obviously still work.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
Shouldn't you use something like Toll the Dead instead? With Sacred Flame, aren't you running the risk that, when it is just a chest and not a Mimic, you will damage the contents?
[Edit] I guess it's not actually fire, though....
Perhaps since it is indistinguishable, and the clues to suggest its presence would be compex you could have them make a Wisdom (Investigation) check, DC 20-25. If they fail the check then someone unknowingly touches the mimic and sets off the ambush. If they pass the check they may still only have moments before it attacks anyway.
I like this idea, RegentCorreon! Would go for 25 for sure yeah. I like giving the players some chance to circumvent a trap, can make em feel accomplished.
Thanks all for pitching in and helping me out here.
Either way works as neither spell damages objects.
You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.