As for the arrows of dragon slaying, you could argue that she is a fiend (devil), and not a dragon. So you could rule that those do not score any additional "slaying" damage.
Alternatively, not knowing the backstory I'm not sure how it could work exactly. But this could be a lot of fun to pull off as well:
But you could say that the Staff of the Magi that each character possesses is actually a creation of the dragon queen herself. Maybe like each staff has a different colored gem for a head piece, etc. And she has the power to grant the items to mortal or not (kind of like a warlock's patron).
In short the whole gambit to break the various magic items does not work. The heroes open their expecting eyes wondering what happened, and the five headed tyrant is just smiling at them to proceed.
Some of the best experiences I've ever had at the table is when plans do not go off as expected and everyone has to improvise in the heat of the moment.
You've obviously been playing outside the published material... because level 9 scrolls and staves of the magi are definitely not in there. Any change you make to create a challenging encounter is as "legal" as the addition of those items. I have a hard time bringing a challenge/drama to my party that is also nearing this part of the game and they are not nearly so well equipped at 14th level. I have been researching this conundrum and here's what I have been looking at:
1. Red Wizards are smart. Perhaps they have pre-ritual prepared Walls of Force around each caster in the ritual. They certainly have intel on what the party brings to the table and would be prepared to counter many of the party's tactics. By this time, the band of heroes has proven to be a huge thorn in the cult's side... they should EXPECT that there will be a last-ditch attempt at interference. They have the use of the Thayan Resurrection... they have access to a cadre of Red Wizards who could assign a high level caster to each ritual member. These "bodyguards" have Greater Invisibility, Silence, Slow, and Counterspell and they aren't afraid to use them.
2. As the ritual progresses, describe the portal as starting small and growing. As it widens devils start flowing through every turn, heralding her arrival... smaller ones at first, and increasing in size/number as the ritual progresses. It begins with a flock of imps, "All hail the Dark Queen!!" Followed by bone devils "Behold the arrival of Tiamat and tremble in her gaze!!"... you get the idea. If you REALLY wanted to bump it, pick an Arch Devil and stat it out similarly to Tiamat... just as Asmodeus and Bel want to keep her in Avernus, there's another faction that would love to see her gone.
3. Start her at max HP instead of what's suggested in the book. Let her bust through instead of one head at a time.
4. The cult has ransacked the Sword Coast to the point that even the guide says if the party had the time (hours), they could find most any magic item in the treasure pile... but wouldn't it be reasonable to think that the cult has already identified many powerful items for their own use as well?
Overpower the encounter as much as you dare... it's much easier to pull back the reigns once if the tide shifts too far than it is to start trying to add things in the moment...
I don't know Rise of Tiamat. Can she fly? If she can fly, can they fly? I feel like this is the easiest solution to all your problems. Almost no spells or abilities give access to 120ft flying speed, which she has. With flight and a 90ft cone of ice, fire, and poison, she can literally fly circles around them, stay clear of all their major abilities, and murder them at her leisure. If she doesn't have room to fly, well... then it was a badly-designed encounter.
I agree with BayouFunk, though. How the hell did your players get your hands on all this crap in the first place?
As for the arrows of dragon slaying, you could argue that she is a fiend (devil), and not a dragon. So you could rule that those do not score any additional "slaying" damage.
Alternatively, not knowing the backstory I'm not sure how it could work exactly. But this could be a lot of fun to pull off as well:
But you could say that the Staff of the Magi that each character possesses is actually a creation of the dragon queen herself. Maybe like each staff has a different colored gem for a head piece, etc. And she has the power to grant the items to mortal or not (kind of like a warlock's patron).
In short the whole gambit to break the various magic items does not work. The heroes open their expecting eyes wondering what happened, and the five headed tyrant is just smiling at them to proceed.
Some of the best experiences I've ever had at the table is when plans do not go off as expected and everyone has to improvise in the heat of the moment.
You've obviously been playing outside the published material... because level 9 scrolls and staves of the magi are definitely not in there. Any change you make to create a challenging encounter is as "legal" as the addition of those items. I have a hard time bringing a challenge/drama to my party that is also nearing this part of the game and they are not nearly so well equipped at 14th level. I have been researching this conundrum and here's what I have been looking at:
1. Red Wizards are smart. Perhaps they have pre-ritual prepared Walls of Force around each caster in the ritual. They certainly have intel on what the party brings to the table and would be prepared to counter many of the party's tactics. By this time, the band of heroes has proven to be a huge thorn in the cult's side... they should EXPECT that there will be a last-ditch attempt at interference. They have the use of the Thayan Resurrection... they have access to a cadre of Red Wizards who could assign a high level caster to each ritual member. These "bodyguards" have Greater Invisibility, Silence, Slow, and Counterspell and they aren't afraid to use them.
2. As the ritual progresses, describe the portal as starting small and growing. As it widens devils start flowing through every turn, heralding her arrival... smaller ones at first, and increasing in size/number as the ritual progresses. It begins with a flock of imps, "All hail the Dark Queen!!" Followed by bone devils "Behold the arrival of Tiamat and tremble in her gaze!!"... you get the idea. If you REALLY wanted to bump it, pick an Arch Devil and stat it out similarly to Tiamat... just as Asmodeus and Bel want to keep her in Avernus, there's another faction that would love to see her gone.
3. Start her at max HP instead of what's suggested in the book. Let her bust through instead of one head at a time.
4. The cult has ransacked the Sword Coast to the point that even the guide says if the party had the time (hours), they could find most any magic item in the treasure pile... but wouldn't it be reasonable to think that the cult has already identified many powerful items for their own use as well?
Overpower the encounter as much as you dare... it's much easier to pull back the reigns once if the tide shifts too far than it is to start trying to add things in the moment...
The way to buff Tiamat is simple, do the following:
1) She has friends with her when they meet her. 5 Ancient Dragons, White, Blue, Red, Black and Green.
2) Her Divine word? Been switched out with Firestorm
3) Oh and an 20th level Drow Warlock, (She is the patron, using Fiend) is also serving her as a butler.
That's a bit overkill. I would say have one adult dragon as a consort and a few young dragons or wyrmlings as well.
There is no dawn after eternal night.
Homebrew: Magic items, Subclasses
I don't know Rise of Tiamat. Can she fly? If she can fly, can they fly? I feel like this is the easiest solution to all your problems. Almost no spells or abilities give access to 120ft flying speed, which she has. With flight and a 90ft cone of ice, fire, and poison, she can literally fly circles around them, stay clear of all their major abilities, and murder them at her leisure. If she doesn't have room to fly, well... then it was a badly-designed encounter.
I agree with BayouFunk, though. How the hell did your players get your hands on all this crap in the first place?
Considering that the original post was from one a year ago before this thread got neco'd, I'd guess they already figured it out.