So the party is soon to fight the big bad, a dracolich. There's 7-8 of us (it's a big table) but we're only level 5/6 and I'd imagine it'll be a tough fight.
What are some unusual (i.e. non-combat) ways we can get the edge before the fight starts? Fire is effective, but given it can fly, it might be hard to make worthwhile fire traps.
The best "edge" you can have before the fight starts is have your character's gear prepped and ready to dispersal via a Last Will and Testament. The best known dracolich of D&D canon is Dragotha who first appeared on the map for S2 - White Plume Mountain (subsequently reappears in the Yawning Portal rehash). Dragotha made its metagame debut in Dungeon Magazine #134 as part of the Age of Worms Adventure Path. At the time the PCs face Dragotha, they're all pushing 18th level in 3.5E. So either your facing a skeletal dragon, which is more level appropriate, or your DM wants to wipe the slate clean and get a new game going using a dracolich, since the template is applied to an adult dragon for starters, the example one being Challenge Rating 17. Oi. I'd be using the old adage of "I disbelieve" to discern if you're dealing with an illusion and pesky gnome illusionist. Good luck, A1Qicks.
It can fly. Don't fight it in its lair and don't let it fly. Thats really the best advice one can give to how to fight a dragon.
Also remember it is undead.
As for your level... Well you should probably take care of your wills and buy a plot of land because death is fast approaching.
The Breath weapon on a dragon is going to deal like 60 points of damage. And I'd say it can easily do upwards of 20+ hp damage to probably all five of you each round.
It has like 200 hp and being undead means you guys are screwed.
Either 1) you aren't fighting a dracolich 2) the dm has ignored dragons under adult being unable to become a dracolich or has a story reason to go against that 3) the dm just wants to kill you.
Unless that Dracolich is suffering from some DM nerfing I don't see how 5th level toons would even challenge it. Best bet if your forced into a confrontation is parley. Strike up some deal so you can live another day so your group can come back at around 12th level or higher and try again.
My vote is don't fight it. Just leave and never look back. It's possibly if it ends up being a young dragon you can fight it, but it's also possible this is suppose to be one of those times you are suppose to run away and not fight the big bad.
Of course how did you find out a dracolith was the big bad?
If you are a low level party, probably the best course of action is to disctract the Dracolich, while others party members find and destroy the phylactery.
My vote is don't fight it. Just leave and never look back. It's possibly if it ends up being a young dragon you can fight it, but it's also possible this is suppose to be one of those times you are suppose to run away and not fight the big bad.
Of course how did you find out a dracolith was the big bad?
We've been researching an undead army for ages after hearing rumours about it, and they've been capturing towns and cities. We found one survivor, who told us the name of the leader, and then another one, who revealed the leader was an undead dragon in the service of Orcus.
We know from a captured cultist where they're attacking next, and we've got a few allies along to help us fight down their forces, but it's looking like it's going to be the big end battle, so it's unlikely the dracolich won't be there.
Yeah, Dracoliches can only be from Adult or Ancient dragons, which are going to be FAR too hard for almost ANY number of level 5 characters. The Adult Blue version (blue being one of the mid-range difficulty chromatic dragons - not quite as weak as white, but not nearly as strong as red) is a CR 17.
First off, the Lightning Breath is a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw. So even a character with a maxed out Dex AND proficiency in Dex Saves is going to have to roll a 12+ to succeed or take 12d10 (66 average). A normal party member is going to have to roll somewhere in the 17+ category to not fail.
Then you have a multi-attack of Bite: +12 to hit; 2d10+7 piercing + 1d10 lightning damage (23 avg) and 2 Claws: +12 to hit; 2d6+7 slashing damage (14 avg). So even if your fighter/paladin took the Defense fighting style and is in full plate + shield, you're looking at 21 AC. Meaning, the person that is the hardest to hit only takes a 9+ (oh and it's likely they failed the breath saving throw, so they are already 66ish HP down).
Frightful Presence is also a part of multi-attack and that's a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw, so your healers are looking at a 10+ (better than average), but Wisdom is a dump stat for a lot of people, meaning you're looking at some that might have to roll a 19-20.
Now, that we've covered how it's going to kill your party, let's go over how your party won't be able to kill it:
It has high saving throws on everything but Dex (+5) and Int (+3), meaning that the highest it would have to roll is 13+ to save against ANY spell your party could cast (not many spells have Int saving throws - save for Mystic abilities, so you're actually looking at 11+ for Dex-based spells). Which, is slightly over the average roll, BUT Dracoliches get Magic Resistance, which gives them advantage on saving throws against spells and magical effects. Meaning double the chance to succeed. But, let's say you DO succeed at casting a spell. Well, it is immune to lightning and poison. It's also immune to charm, fear, and paralysis. So, basically load up your two 3rd level spell slots with fireball and hope for the best. Oh, and even if it fails the saving throw, it can just CHOOSE not to 3x/day.
As for straight up attacking it: 19 AC and it can fly, so you're gonna have to roll 11+ to hit it (if you can reach it). Also, for melee, its bite attack has reach of 10 feet, so you're probably getting hit before you get there (assuming you CAN get there if it is flying).
There's a reason dragons are the uber bosses of the game (Terrasque aside). And a dracolich version of such a creature makes it even more difficult.
As far as traps go: 16 Int and 15 Wis means he's not stupid and will fight tactically (arguably better than most of your characters would) and a +12 Perception, 50 feet blindsight, and 120 feet darkvision, means it will probably see your traps before you do.
So yeah... Run away and don't ever look back if you are level 5-6 going up against a true dracolich. Now, if your DM is nerfing the hell out of it (like 2/3 of it's CR levels worth of nerfing), then you're probably ok and won't need to worry about it. But from a true dracolich standpoint, you're screwed.
“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
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So the party is soon to fight the big bad, a dracolich. There's 7-8 of us (it's a big table) but we're only level 5/6 and I'd imagine it'll be a tough fight.
What are some unusual (i.e. non-combat) ways we can get the edge before the fight starts? Fire is effective, but given it can fly, it might be hard to make worthwhile fire traps.
The best "edge" you can have before the fight starts is have your character's gear prepped and ready to dispersal via a Last Will and Testament. The best known dracolich of D&D canon is Dragotha who first appeared on the map for S2 - White Plume Mountain (subsequently reappears in the Yawning Portal rehash). Dragotha made its metagame debut in Dungeon Magazine #134 as part of the Age of Worms Adventure Path. At the time the PCs face Dragotha, they're all pushing 18th level in 3.5E. So either your facing a skeletal dragon, which is more level appropriate, or your DM wants to wipe the slate clean and get a new game going using a dracolich, since the template is applied to an adult dragon for starters, the example one being Challenge Rating 17. Oi. I'd be using the old adage of "I disbelieve" to discern if you're dealing with an illusion and pesky gnome illusionist. Good luck, A1Qicks.
We all leave footprints in the sands of time.
It can fly. Don't fight it in its lair and don't let it fly. Thats really the best advice one can give to how to fight a dragon.
Also remember it is undead.
As for your level... Well you should probably take care of your wills and buy a plot of land because death is fast approaching.
The Breath weapon on a dragon is going to deal like 60 points of damage. And I'd say it can easily do upwards of 20+ hp damage to probably all five of you each round.
It has like 200 hp and being undead means you guys are screwed.
Either 1) you aren't fighting a dracolich 2) the dm has ignored dragons under adult being unable to become a dracolich or has a story reason to go against that 3) the dm just wants to kill you.
Unless that Dracolich is suffering from some DM nerfing I don't see how 5th level toons would even challenge it. Best bet if your forced into a confrontation is parley. Strike up some deal so you can live another day so your group can come back at around 12th level or higher and try again.
My vote is don't fight it. Just leave and never look back. It's possibly if it ends up being a young dragon you can fight it, but it's also possible this is suppose to be one of those times you are suppose to run away and not fight the big bad.
Of course how did you find out a dracolith was the big bad?
If you are a low level party, probably the best course of action is to disctract the Dracolich, while others party members find and destroy the phylactery.
Yeah, I would have to lean toward not going. Really depends on the DM and whether or not he is using a dracolith as written or not.
Also it seems you guys are assuming its a dracolith? Which it might not be. skeletal dragon would be another possibility.
Yeah, Dracoliches can only be from Adult or Ancient dragons, which are going to be FAR too hard for almost ANY number of level 5 characters. The Adult Blue version (blue being one of the mid-range difficulty chromatic dragons - not quite as weak as white, but not nearly as strong as red) is a CR 17.
First off, the Lightning Breath is a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw. So even a character with a maxed out Dex AND proficiency in Dex Saves is going to have to roll a 12+ to succeed or take 12d10 (66 average). A normal party member is going to have to roll somewhere in the 17+ category to not fail.
Then you have a multi-attack of Bite: +12 to hit; 2d10+7 piercing + 1d10 lightning damage (23 avg) and 2 Claws: +12 to hit; 2d6+7 slashing damage (14 avg). So even if your fighter/paladin took the Defense fighting style and is in full plate + shield, you're looking at 21 AC. Meaning, the person that is the hardest to hit only takes a 9+ (oh and it's likely they failed the breath saving throw, so they are already 66ish HP down).
Frightful Presence is also a part of multi-attack and that's a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw, so your healers are looking at a 10+ (better than average), but Wisdom is a dump stat for a lot of people, meaning you're looking at some that might have to roll a 19-20.
Now, that we've covered how it's going to kill your party, let's go over how your party won't be able to kill it:
It has high saving throws on everything but Dex (+5) and Int (+3), meaning that the highest it would have to roll is 13+ to save against ANY spell your party could cast (not many spells have Int saving throws - save for Mystic abilities, so you're actually looking at 11+ for Dex-based spells). Which, is slightly over the average roll, BUT Dracoliches get Magic Resistance, which gives them advantage on saving throws against spells and magical effects. Meaning double the chance to succeed. But, let's say you DO succeed at casting a spell. Well, it is immune to lightning and poison. It's also immune to charm, fear, and paralysis. So, basically load up your two 3rd level spell slots with fireball and hope for the best. Oh, and even if it fails the saving throw, it can just CHOOSE not to 3x/day.
As for straight up attacking it: 19 AC and it can fly, so you're gonna have to roll 11+ to hit it (if you can reach it). Also, for melee, its bite attack has reach of 10 feet, so you're probably getting hit before you get there (assuming you CAN get there if it is flying).
There's a reason dragons are the uber bosses of the game (Terrasque aside). And a dracolich version of such a creature makes it even more difficult.
As far as traps go: 16 Int and 15 Wis means he's not stupid and will fight tactically (arguably better than most of your characters would) and a +12 Perception, 50 feet blindsight, and 120 feet darkvision, means it will probably see your traps before you do.
So yeah... Run away and don't ever look back if you are level 5-6 going up against a true dracolich. Now, if your DM is nerfing the hell out of it (like 2/3 of it's CR levels worth of nerfing), then you're probably ok and won't need to worry about it. But from a true dracolich standpoint, you're screwed.
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“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.