We have a 5th-level party made up of an oathbreaker paladin (he just broke his vengeance oath and switched), an arcane trickster rogue, a moon druid, a battle master dragonborn fighter, an eloquence bard, a wizard (That for some reason didn't take fireball), and myself a Gloomstaker ranger.
The Paladin has a dragon-slayer sword, the fighter has a +1 axe, a temporary boon for resistance to acid, I have a +1 longbow. We have a potion of invulnerability, the wizard has taken something that has given it a lightning-breath weapon. We may have a black dragon wyrmling(who does not have a breath weapon due to experimentation by a sorcerer) that could help us but it also could turn on us. There are an unknown amount of cultist we might encounter along the way or while fighting the dragon.
The dragon is supposedly about 95 years old but some of his power has been amplified by the wyrmling.
Does anyone has any tips or tricks to help us fight this dragon. (Running away likely isn't an option at this point)
Assuming you will be up against a Young Black Dragon, I wouldn't expect a party of 6 will have great trouble. Caveat being this of course depends on many factors including minions, traps, lair actions etc.
The following assumes you have cornered said dragon indoors and largely negated its ability to fly.
With that said, protection from acid would be an obvious defense. Absorb Elements for whoever can access it (your Wizard at the minimum). The Paladin, Fighter and Gloomstalker can all bring some pain. The Wizard might consider casting Haste on the Paladin (he who has the Dragon Slayer sword) and otherwise trying to keep out of sight (they can cast Magic Missile each round or even Tasha's Mind Whip).
If minions (cultists etc) are an issue the Bard can consider casting Fear or Hypnotic Pattern. The Bard should also have Healing Word and Silvery Barbs (ditto Wizard) on hand.
I'd have the Paladin drink the potion as well. If you keep your Paladin upright with his 3 attacks, dragon slayer and smiting I think said Dragon has but one option which is to fly away.
If you encounter it outdoors ... perhaps the Bard could persuade it to fight fair, as in, on the ground! 😁
If the druid can prep Earthbind, that will go a long way to shutting the dragon down. Keep it on the ground where the paladin and fighter can turn it into a matched set of luggage.
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Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
If the druid can prep Earthbind, that will go a long way to shutting the dragon down. Keep it on the ground where the paladin and fighter can turn it into a matched set of luggage.
This. Dragons are intelligent. It will fly away before dying unless your DM is softballing it or it has a VERY good reason not to.
Assuming you will be up against a Young Black Dragon, I wouldn't expect a party of 6 will have great trouble. Caveat being this of course depends on many factors including minions, traps, lair actions etc.
The following assumes you have cornered said dragon indoors and largely negated its ability to fly.
With that said, protection from acid would be an obvious defense. Absorb Elements for whoever can access it (your Wizard at the minimum). The Paladin, Fighter and Gloomstalker can all bring some pain. The Wizard might consider casting Haste on the Paladin (he who has the Dragon Slayer sword) and otherwise trying to keep out of sight (they can cast Magic Missile each round or even Tasha's Mind Whip).
If minions (cultists etc) are an issue the Bard can consider casting Fear or Hypnotic Pattern. The Bard should also have Healing Word and Silvery Barbs (ditto Wizard) on hand.
I'd have the Paladin drink the potion as well. If you keep your Paladin upright with his 3 attacks, dragon slayer and smiting I think said Dragon has but one option which is to fly away.
If you encounter it outdoors ... perhaps the Bard could persuade it to fight fair, as in, on the ground! 😁
It seems as though the DM is using a mix of young and adult black dragon, he essentially said that he's not quite an adult dragon yet but the presence of the wyrmling is enhancing it's powers. He said that some of the effects on the land the dragon is causing he wouldn't be able to do normally for a couple more years usually.
I don't know fully what spells the Wizard has taken, it feels like they've taken a lot of spells that aren't helpful maybe I'm just not seeing their vision?
If the druid can prep Earthbind, that will go a long way to shutting the dragon down. Keep it on the ground where the paladin and fighter can turn it into a matched set of luggage.
If the druid can prep Earthbind, that will go a long way to shutting the dragon down. Keep it on the ground where the paladin and fighter can turn it into a matched set of luggage.
This. Dragons are intelligent. It will fly away before dying unless your DM is softballing it or it has a VERY good reason not to.
He said that he's not pulling any punches so I don't think he's going to be softballing, but we are likely going to be in his lair for this fight, so I don't know if he's going to run either.
The most important thing will be ensuring the Paladin with his Dragon Slayer sword have the maximum opportunity to use that sword. This means: Bard should give the paladin inspiration before the fight to defend against Frightful Presence, the Wizard/Druid need to either get the dragon on the ground or get the Paladin up to the dragon. Fly, Haste, Conjure Animals, Earthbind, Web could all be useful here. In general a Dragon's weakest save is Dexterity so when possible the casters should target that. The Paladin should consider casting Bless on the party as well.
The most important thing will be ensuring the Paladin with his Dragon Slayer sword have the maximum opportunity to use that sword. This means: Bard should give the paladin inspiration before the fight to defend against Frightful Presence, the Wizard/Druid need to either get the dragon on the ground or get the Paladin up to the dragon. Fly, Haste, Conjure Animals, Earthbind, Web could all be useful here. In general a Dragon's weakest save is Dexterity so when possible the casters should target that. The Paladin should consider casting Bless on the party as well.
Hey all,
We have a 5th-level party made up of an oathbreaker paladin (he just broke his vengeance oath and switched), an arcane trickster rogue, a moon druid, a battle master dragonborn fighter, an eloquence bard, a wizard (That for some reason didn't take fireball), and myself a Gloomstaker ranger.
The Paladin has a dragon-slayer sword, the fighter has a +1 axe, a temporary boon for resistance to acid, I have a +1 longbow. We have a potion of invulnerability, the wizard has taken something that has given it a lightning-breath weapon. We may have a black dragon wyrmling(who does not have a breath weapon due to experimentation by a sorcerer) that could help us but it also could turn on us. There are an unknown amount of cultist we might encounter along the way or while fighting the dragon.
The dragon is supposedly about 95 years old but some of his power has been amplified by the wyrmling.
Does anyone has any tips or tricks to help us fight this dragon. (Running away likely isn't an option at this point)
Assuming you will be up against a Young Black Dragon, I wouldn't expect a party of 6 will have great trouble. Caveat being this of course depends on many factors including minions, traps, lair actions etc.
The following assumes you have cornered said dragon indoors and largely negated its ability to fly.
With that said, protection from acid would be an obvious defense. Absorb Elements for whoever can access it (your Wizard at the minimum). The Paladin, Fighter and Gloomstalker can all bring some pain. The Wizard might consider casting Haste on the Paladin (he who has the Dragon Slayer sword) and otherwise trying to keep out of sight (they can cast Magic Missile each round or even Tasha's Mind Whip).
If minions (cultists etc) are an issue the Bard can consider casting Fear or Hypnotic Pattern. The Bard should also have Healing Word and Silvery Barbs (ditto Wizard) on hand.
I'd have the Paladin drink the potion as well. If you keep your Paladin upright with his 3 attacks, dragon slayer and smiting I think said Dragon has but one option which is to fly away.
If you encounter it outdoors ... perhaps the Bard could persuade it to fight fair, as in, on the ground! 😁
If the druid can prep Earthbind, that will go a long way to shutting the dragon down. Keep it on the ground where the paladin and fighter can turn it into a matched set of luggage.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
This. Dragons are intelligent. It will fly away before dying unless your DM is softballing it or it has a VERY good reason not to.
It seems as though the DM is using a mix of young and adult black dragon, he essentially said that he's not quite an adult dragon yet but the presence of the wyrmling is enhancing it's powers. He said that some of the effects on the land the dragon is causing he wouldn't be able to do normally for a couple more years usually.
I don't know fully what spells the Wizard has taken, it feels like they've taken a lot of spells that aren't helpful maybe I'm just not seeing their vision?
the Druid did just recently pick up Earthbind.
He said that he's not pulling any punches so I don't think he's going to be softballing, but we are likely going to be in his lair for this fight, so I don't know if he's going to run either.
Regardless of whether or not the dragon is going to try to run, shutting down its ability to fly will make things much easier on the party.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
The most important thing will be ensuring the Paladin with his Dragon Slayer sword have the maximum opportunity to use that sword. This means: Bard should give the paladin inspiration before the fight to defend against Frightful Presence, the Wizard/Druid need to either get the dragon on the ground or get the Paladin up to the dragon. Fly, Haste, Conjure Animals, Earthbind, Web could all be useful here. In general a Dragon's weakest save is Dexterity so when possible the casters should target that. The Paladin should consider casting Bless on the party as well.
this is super helpful thank you.
Spread out. Nothing like bunching up for a breath weapon
Keep the Dragon down. (Earth bind, ensnaring strike, suggestion, comand, tashas hideous laughter, Trip Attack with a bow)
Spread out.
Give everyone means to to heal party members (Goodberries/ Potions)
Protection from Energy/ Absorb Element/ Potion of Acid resistance.
Ways to make Saves Fail (unsettling word, Mind Sliver, Silvery Barbs)
Could the Wizard Enlarge/Reduce the Fighter who then grapples the dragon to keep it down? A grappled and prone Dragon.
Attack: [roll]3d20dl2+6[/roll] Damage: [roll](if([roll:-1:critical], =0, 1d8, 2{1d8}.expand()))+4[/roll] Sneakattack: [roll](if([roll:-2:critical], =0, 2d6, 2{2d6}.expand()))[/roll]