I have a small problem. I am giving my players cool mounts based on their class and personality (this is late campaign by the way, these people are level 16). The Paladin is getting a Dragonel, The Ranger is getting a giant squire that has a climb speed but lower walk speed. The Cleric is getting a Unicorn, the Wizard will get something NYD, the Fighter will get a Pegasus or some strong beast. And the list goes on. But my problem is this. How do I balance these creatures when it comes to combat? The Players are just using their beasts to hide from everything, and then go full ranged, whilst the enemies dont all have +2 long bows and spells and what not. So does anyone know of any system, like an ambush system, or a trap system, or something besides giving the enemies full range. Thanks so much!
BTW: The poll is just a random thing not related at all.
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Fighter: We need to get out of here! The Goblins are overwhelming us!
Wizard: Time to use that sketchy item the DM never stops grinning about *rolls a nat one*
Barbarian(in rage as usual): Aw Hellllllll Naw . . .
Put the enemies inside, or under some trees, or in a cave or otherwise under cover. And giving the enemies something me range is a good idea. Have them fight other airborne enemies. Sleet storm can be fun, knock the mount prone and both it and rider take fall damage. Not every time, but you do it once and it makes them think about it.
Really, though, what they’re doing is pretty rational. Even these tougher mounts won’t last long in T4 combats. Keeping them away from the fight makes a lot of sense. So let them have the tactic work sometimes, but move most of the rest of the fights inside. It takes away this tactic, but secretly, you’re also helping keep the mounts alive by keeping them out of fights where they’d die pretty quickly.
Put the enemies inside, or under some trees, or in a cave or otherwise under cover. And giving the enemies something me range is a good idea. Have them fight other airborne enemies. Sleet storm can be fun, knock the mount prone and both it and rider take fall damage. Not every time, but you do it once and it makes them think about it.
Really, though, what they’re doing is pretty rational. Even these tougher mounts won’t last long in T4 combats. Keeping them away from the fight makes a lot of sense. So let them have the tactic work sometimes, but move most of the rest of the fights inside. It takes away this tactic, but secretly, you’re also helping keep the mounts alive by keeping them out of fights where they’d die pretty quickly.
Thank you so much! This is a great tip!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Fighter: We need to get out of here! The Goblins are overwhelming us!
Wizard: Time to use that sketchy item the DM never stops grinning about *rolls a nat one*
Barbarian(in rage as usual): Aw Hellllllll Naw . . .
[...]The Players...go full ranged, whilst the enemies dont all have +2 long bows and spells and what not...
Why not?
I mean, as Xalthu said, don't make every encounter deadly because you have to let the tactic worknandnbe fruitful, but don't be afraid of altering monster's statblocks to keep them relevant. Are they a big beast like a Tarrasque? Let them pick up boulders and hurl them at the party. Look at the monster's other attacks (and the stats of ranged attacks of similar CR monsters) to work out an appropriate to hit and damage stats, and you're good. You don't even have to hit the party - force a near miss, narrate how the boulder smites the mountainside behind them, and they'll poo themselves while they reconsider their tactics. If they're a caster (or caster analogue), then use a similar process to give them a ranged spell (or spell analogue).
Again, don't do it for every encounter, but you want to remove the "we're untouchable" feeling that will otherwise stagnate the game. The principle I'm getting across here is that you're the DM, not a player. You have the ability and responsibility to alter the game to make it more fun the players. You've done it by giving them awesome mounts, now do it again to keep the enemies relevant. Altering statblocks is something I do most sessions to adjust how the encounter is going.
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If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Mounts are large creatures and the flying ones are going to be skittish going into a cave, especially a Pegasus or griffin. Then you are going to have the noise they make in caves screwing up stealth.
Most mounts should be used outside for travel and outdoors combat. There are some mounts made for indoors, you could try the wolf family or lizards for intsance.
I have a small problem. I am giving my players cool mounts based on their class and personality (this is late campaign by the way, these people are level 16). The Paladin is getting a Dragonel, The Ranger is getting a giant squire that has a climb speed but lower walk speed. The Cleric is getting a Unicorn, the Wizard will get something NYD, the Fighter will get a Pegasus or some strong beast. And the list goes on. But my problem is this. How do I balance these creatures when it comes to combat? The Players are just using their beasts to hide from everything, and then go full ranged, whilst the enemies dont all have +2 long bows and spells and what not. So does anyone know of any system, like an ambush system, or a trap system, or something besides giving the enemies full range. Thanks so much!
BTW: The poll is just a random thing not related at all.
Fighter: We need to get out of here! The Goblins are overwhelming us!
Wizard: Time to use that sketchy item the DM never stops grinning about *rolls a nat one*
Barbarian(in rage as usual): Aw Hellllllll Naw . . .
Put the enemies inside, or under some trees, or in a cave or otherwise under cover.
And giving the enemies something me range is a good idea.
Have them fight other airborne enemies.
Sleet storm can be fun, knock the mount prone and both it and rider take fall damage.
Not every time, but you do it once and it makes them think about it.
Really, though, what they’re doing is pretty rational. Even these tougher mounts won’t last long in T4 combats. Keeping them away from the fight makes a lot of sense. So let them have the tactic work sometimes, but move most of the rest of the fights inside. It takes away this tactic, but secretly, you’re also helping keep the mounts alive by keeping them out of fights where they’d die pretty quickly.
Thank you so much! This is a great tip!
Fighter: We need to get out of here! The Goblins are overwhelming us!
Wizard: Time to use that sketchy item the DM never stops grinning about *rolls a nat one*
Barbarian(in rage as usual): Aw Hellllllll Naw . . .
Why not?
I mean, as Xalthu said, don't make every encounter deadly because you have to let the tactic worknandnbe fruitful, but don't be afraid of altering monster's statblocks to keep them relevant. Are they a big beast like a Tarrasque? Let them pick up boulders and hurl them at the party. Look at the monster's other attacks (and the stats of ranged attacks of similar CR monsters) to work out an appropriate to hit and damage stats, and you're good. You don't even have to hit the party - force a near miss, narrate how the boulder smites the mountainside behind them, and they'll poo themselves while they reconsider their tactics. If they're a caster (or caster analogue), then use a similar process to give them a ranged spell (or spell analogue).
Again, don't do it for every encounter, but you want to remove the "we're untouchable" feeling that will otherwise stagnate the game. The principle I'm getting across here is that you're the DM, not a player. You have the ability and responsibility to alter the game to make it more fun the players. You've done it by giving them awesome mounts, now do it again to keep the enemies relevant. Altering statblocks is something I do most sessions to adjust how the encounter is going.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Don't forget the scarier spells for this particular thing.
DM: "The goblin shaman steps forwards and screeches "kill them". Paladin, please can you make a Wisdom saving throw..."
Paladin, picking up dice: "Dominate eh? This should be easy..."
DM: "...for your mount?"
Paladin: "Oh... Oh no..."
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Mounts are large creatures and the flying ones are going to be skittish going into a cave, especially a Pegasus or griffin. Then you are going to have the noise they make in caves screwing up stealth.
Most mounts should be used outside for travel and outdoors combat. There are some mounts made for indoors, you could try the wolf family or lizards for intsance.