Search Results
All Results
Characters
Compendium
Spells
Items
Monsters
Vehicles
Forums
Returning 35 results for 'before battle diffusing cutting retreats'.
Other Suggestions:
before battle diffusing cunning retreats
Classes
Xanathar's Guide to Everything
incompetent combatant who proves frustrating to engage. The drunken master’s erratic stumbles conceal a carefully executed dance of blocks, parries, advances, attacks, and retreats.
A drunken
master often enjoys playing the fool to bring gladness to the despondent or to demonstrate humility to the arrogant, but when battle is joined, the drunken master can be a maddening, masterful foe.
Way
Classes
Xanathar's Guide to Everything
incompetent combatant who proves frustrating to engage. The drunken master’s erratic stumbles conceal a carefully executed dance of blocks, parries, advances, attacks, and retreats.
A drunken
master often enjoys playing the fool to bring gladness to the despondent or to demonstrate humility to the arrogant, but when battle is joined, the drunken master can be a maddening, masterful foe.
Way
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
wizard’s spell. The sharp tang of blood in the air, cutting through the stench of vile monsters. Roars of fury, shouts of triumph, cries of pain. Combat in D&D can be chaotic, deadly, and thrilling. This
chapter provides the rules you need for your characters and monsters to engage in combat, whether it is a brief skirmish or an extended conflict in a dungeon or on a field of battle. Throughout this
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
wizard’s spell. The sharp tang of blood in the air, cutting through the stench of vile monsters. Roars of fury, shouts of triumph, cries of pain. Combat in D&D can be chaotic, deadly, and thrilling
. This section provides the rules you need for your characters and monsters to engage in combat, whether it is a brief skirmish or an extended conflict in a dungeon or on a field of battle. Throughout this
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss
battle to the death, with the only restriction being that they can’t withdraw from the combat. Brief tactical retreats are permissible, but Vizeran’s ritual has filled the demon lords with the rage
where they wait out the battle, attacking at once. Roll a d4 to determine the demons involved. Demon Sortie Force d4 Demon Sortie 1 4 barlguras 2 4 chasmes 3 2 hezrous 4 3 vrocks Demon Thief An
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
war campaign isn’t generally concerned with the specifics of troop movements, but instead focuses on the heroes whose actions turn the tide of battle. The characters carry out specific missions
larger army by holding a strategic location until reinforcements arrive, killing enemy scouts before they can report, or cutting off supply lines. Information gathering and diplomatic missions can
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention
Random Encounters Each time the group undertakes a new challenge on the Battle Flowchart, roll a d12 on the Random Encounters table. Try to incorporate the resulting event into the scene when it
fear and look to the characters for inspiration.
12 One of the enemies goes berserk and starts cutting down enemy and ally alike.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
Mercenary Interrogation Unless the characters previously spared the life of a specific mercenary (such as Gragonis), the mercenary captured during the Battle of High Hill is a low-ranking guard of
anyone harm the captive. Cudgel initially tries to lead the interrogation, but she struggles to contain her anger at her betrayal. She soon retreats to watch from a distance as the characters lead
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
products, but many DMs (and players) find them to be exciting additions to the game. Battle Grid and Miniatures Some DMs use a battle grid and miniatures to run combat encounters, which helps players
visualize scenes when playing in person. A vinyl wet-erase mat with a printed grid, a gridded whiteboard, a cutting mat, a large sheet of gridded paper, or a printed poster map—any of these can serve as a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
products, but many DMs (and players) find them to be exciting additions to the game. Battle Grid and Miniatures Some DMs use a battle grid and miniatures to run combat encounters, which helps players
visualize scenes when playing in person. A vinyl wet-erase mat with a printed grid, a gridded whiteboard, a cutting mat, a large sheet of gridded paper, or a printed poster map—any of these can serve as a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention
than once, it retreats into the clouds. If the dragon retreats, the defenders are inspired to turn the tide of battle against their enemies. The party drives off the dragon. Mark one victory and go to
Battlefield Events The following events correspond to boxes marked on the Battle Flowchart. Event 1. Dawn of the Dead The battle begins when Ularan Mortus orders his ghoulish army to attack the south
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
two sections. The riotous din of the battle taking place far below the city is louder here, echoing up and through the jagged open chasm.
A bridge twenty feet wide and more than a hundred feet long
guard at the center of the bridge, scanning in all directions.
Each bridge is guarded by an infernal force tasked with cutting off any assistance between the east and west sides of the city. Each
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
retreats. A drunken master often enjoys playing the fool to bring gladness to the despondent or to demonstrate humility to the arrogant, but when battle is joined, the drunken master can be a maddening
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
easy to transfer your map to a battle grid. Mapping Principles As you draw your map, keep the following in mind. Asymmetry. Asymmetrical rooms and map layouts make a dungeon interesting and unpredictable
the players. Wear and Tear. If you’d like to show wear and tear caused by time or the elements, collapsed passages can be commonplace, cutting off formerly connected sections of the dungeon from each
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
of bizarre sea creatures and a complete megalodon skeleton. Olzanik. This family of metalworkers obsesses over war. To them, every success is a conquest, but no Olzanik has ever seen battle in
and their ashes scattered in the wastelands. Ritter. The shear-wielding Ritters define the cutting edge of fashion. Their coveted designs change seasonally, and any who create reproductions meet
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons
Weakening the Dragon Queen The actions of the heroes in and prior to this final battle can reduce Tiamat’s power before she appears. Make a note if any of the following events occurs: The count of
have been previously accomplished by attacking the dragons or by cutting off the flow of prisoners to the area. When any of the previous events occur, the following penalties are applied to Tiamat, in
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Battle Prawn Challenge Jagged Koi Prawns are just one unexpected danger of the games at the Dyn Singh Night market Sid Squid’s Trusty Leek sponsors Battle Prawns: The Shrimpening. Sid’s shrimp cakes
invite visitors to participate in Battle Prawns. If characters ask, Sid explains the challenge is simple: assist in making a gigantic shrimp cake in record time. Participants must rapidly prepare prawn
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat
Weakening the Dragon Queen The actions of the heroes in and prior to this final battle can reduce Tiamat’s power before she appears. Make a note if any of the following events occurs: The count of
stopped. This might have been previously accomplished by attacking the dragons or by cutting off the flow of prisoners to the area. When any of the previous events occurs, the following penalties are
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
has an initiative score, which is a passive Dexterity check: 10 + Dexterity modifier. By cutting down on die rolls, math done on the fly, and the process of asking for and recording totals, you can
completed their turns. If more than two sides take part in a battle, each side rolls for initiative. Sides act from the highest roll to lowest. Combat continues in the initiative order until the battle
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)
by evil gods. An evil empyrean can’t survive long on the Upper Planes and usually retreats to the Material Plane, where it can rule over a kingdom of mortals as an indomitable tyrant. Immortal Titans
. Empyreans don’t age but can be slain. Because few empyreans can imagine their own demise, they fight fearlessly when drawn into battle, refusing to believe that the end is upon them even when
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things
out orders in the heat of battle. This is especially useful for allies who serve as the bodyguard for a wizard character or who partner with a rogue character to help the rogue perform sneak attacks. In
. The important thing is that the ally is available when the characters want them and retreats into the background when the characters don’t want or need the help. Consider ways the ally could help the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
12 in exchange for his freedom. If he is treated with respect, Zaztorrl might befriend the characters and help them in battle. A successful dispel magic spell (DC 18) cast on the troll renders it
visible for 1 minute. The troll attacks any creature it sees, but retreats to area 10a (through area 9d) the first time it takes acid or fire damage. 9b. Drow Staging Area This 20-foot-high cavern is
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
Gnoll Tactics Gnolls might seem to throw themselves into battle mindlessly, driven only by fury and hunger, but they do possess a rudimentary form of cunning that is borne out by several tactics they
slaughter as they devour the corpses of both their victims and the gnolls killed in battle. During this time, the hyenas that follow a pack of gnolls feast until they become bloated, then burst open
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation
to the shrine stand ajar. If the tide of battle turns against Chief Yorb, he retreats into the shrine with his elite guards and bars the doors. A character can force open the barred doors with a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
the ballistae to attack the approaching dragonnels. A dragonnel struck by a ballista bolt panics and retreats with its two riders. Highmaster’s Message This encounter occurs while the characters are
forth in the form of a massive skeletal dragon.
This lesser death dragon (see appendix B) has come specifically for the characters. After its dramatic crash landing, it starts the battle with 160
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
of battle as they traverse the hall leading to this 10-foot-high room, which has partially collapsed and contains the following: Light. The room is lit by a single lantern resting in the middle of the
floor.
Equipment. Mine carts about the room contain glittering heaps of copper ore.
Battle. A wounded warrior named Rex the Hammer (LE male Illuskan human champion with 22 hit points remaining
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
such as ankhegs or bulettes, normally too stupid and ravenous to be trained, submit to the will of the Black Earth. The monsters allow themselves to be herded or ridden into battle against the enemies of
common courtesy as a way for the weak to put limits on the behavior of the strong, and they scorn empathy or friendship as weakness. In battle, Black Earth cultists are brutal and straightforward. They
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin
participate in the fight; it feigns injury and stays out of the way. If the characters look like they’re winning the battle, Rachazz tries to slip out of the tower and report back to the Ruinous Citadel
to protect its disguise. Cutting the Webs. Four web anchors support the walls: two in the southwest and two in the southeast. The webs are tough but, except where they meet the walls, aren’t sticky
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
and enslavement of the weak as necessary steps in bringing about the chaos they intend to unleash on the world. In battle, fire cultists launch sudden, overwhelming assaults. They throw themselves into
Flame cultists detest the followers of the Crushing Wave. They see the water cultists as slippery and untrustworthy, perhaps even cowardly — after all, the Crushing Wave retreats quickly from opposition
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder
carrying is invisible as long as it is on the creature’s person. The effect on the creature ends if it attacks, deals any damage, or casts a spell. Development If a battle erupts between the characters
tower while he considers their offer. He then retreats to the second floor and casts contact other plane to determine the best course of action. If he fails the spell’s Intelligence saving throw, he
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder
thunderstorm is the dragon’s work — a regional effect (see the blue dragon entry in the Monster Manual) that stretches for 6 miles in every direction. The storm has no effect on the battle as it
they can hurl chunks of sandstone torn from Iymrith’s own amphitheater. If Iymrith is drawn to the surface and reduced to 240 hit points or fewer, she retreats to the dungeon level and makes her final
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands
Restrained by the trap can free itself by cutting the rope or by slipping out with a successful DC 15 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. If the trap is triggered, the noise alerts the ogre in area E2, who
room were taken from travelers and adventurers who crossed paths with Cindertooth. All the equipment here was ruined beyond repair in battle. Amid the dragon’s spoils are 50 GP and one magic item; roll
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
face, Agorn is cutting loose his old family ties and embracing his new family: the Zhentarim. The characters can stop him from committing matricide by pulling him away from his mother before she
Haventree (see appendix B) appear on the scene. Their names are Salazar Lorrance (CG male Tethyrian human) and Mavia Oxlander (NG female Chondathan human). If the battle doesn’t turn quickly in the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook
they can expose corruption, unravel lies, and poke fun at self-important figures of authority. Level 3: Bonus Proficiencies You gain proficiency with three skills of your choice. Level 3: Cutting Words
. Level 3: Combat Inspiration You can use your wit to turn the tide of battle. A creature that has a Bardic Inspiration die from you can use it for one of the following effects. Defense. When the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
settles over the land. The characters can battle the giants living there or try to broker a lasting peace. Supernatural Horror If you want to put a horror spin on your campaign, the Monster Manual is
heroes whose actions turn the tide of battle. The characters carry out specific missions: capture a magical standard that empowers undead armies, gather reinforcements to break a siege, or cut through






