Search Results
All Results
Characters
Compendium
Spells
Items
Monsters
Vehicles
Forums
Returning 35 results for 'both before during combat respond'.
Other Suggestions:
both before during combat response
both before daring combat resound
both before daring combat response
Ranger
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
Learn More
Classes
Basic Rules (2014)
hiding themselves in brush and rubble. Rangers focus their combat training on techniques that are particularly useful against their specific favored foes. Thanks to their familiarity with the wilds
, rangers acquire the ability to cast spells that harness nature’s power, much as a druid does. Their spells, like their combat abilities, emphasize speed, stealth, and the hunt. A ranger’s
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
Keeping Combat Moving Sometimes even the best-planned combat encounter can turn into a slog, where no one’s moving and neither side is hitting or dealing much damage to the other. When that happens
respond by putting things back to the way they were before. For example, if a character takes the Disengage action to move away from a group of monsters, don’t respond by having those same monsters
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
hesitate to respond to their aggressiveness with substantial difficulties as a consequence of their acting rashly and without thought. Conversely, reward the characters for careful planning
, consideration, and attempts to engage in actions that don’t involve combat. The lizardfolk’s greatest fear is the sahuagin, and the sooner the characters realize this fact, the better. The lizardfolk population
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Flee, Mortals! Rule Primer
can use only one villain action per round (as such, villain actions tend to be more powerful than legendary actions). Each villain action can only be used once during a combat encounter. Like
control. It typically fires after the heroes have had a chance to respond once or twice, get into position, and surround the villain. This second action helps the villain regain the upper hand. Like an
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder
one 500 gp gemstone in its gizzard, which can be retrieved once the creature is dead. Development The Uthgardt in area 15D can hear sounds of combat here. They respond by hurling spears at intruders from the top of the 30-foot-high ledge overlooking the cave.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
creature mimics the sound of a screaming child — its way of threatening to harm the boy unless the characters leave at once. The kenku doesn’t respond to verbal threats or attempts at persuasion, but
the kenku in the shin, causing it to release him, and hides under some old furniture. This act initiates combat as the kenku draws its sword. If he has a clear path to the stairs, Squiddly runs down
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lorwyn: First Light
, Neutral Good Commoner) has hired the characters as security. He offers each character 50 GP to respond to any incidents that arise during the event. Encounters During the Flying Machine Expo, the
crates and takes the Hide action during the combat. The Mastermind. If the characters followed Lile into area A3, he begins combat with them as soon as the scarecrows are defeated. If the characters
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
area M14 don’t attack characters dressed in Sacred Stone robes and masks. Other villains and monsters ignore the disguised characters unless they act suspiciously. Infiltration and Combat The denizens
raise the alarm. However, the cultists do respond aggressively to the sounds of fighting. When a fight begins in an area, check adjacent areas to see if any other monsters or villains are nearby. Then
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
to mount a mass attack against the party, the characters would be quickly overwhelmed. Your job here is to find a balance and respond to the party’s actions accordingly. If the characters try to
communicate with the lizardfolk, even during battle, consider halting the combat and allowing the characters to exercise their social skills. The queen needs allies in the coming war and prefers to avoid
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands
. Exploration is open-ended; the players don’t take turns moving around the dungeon the way they do in combat. As they explore, direct the players to freely move around on the map, but stop them when they reach
attitude toward the characters: Friendly, Hostile, or Indifferent (see the D&D Beyond Basic Rules). Regardless, creatures defend themselves in combat.
As an Influence action, a character can
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
turns. Vigilant Defender Starting at 18th level, you respond to danger with extraordinary vigilance. In combat, you get a special reaction that you can take once on every creature’s turn, except your
Cavalier The archetypal Cavalier excels at mounted combat. Usually born among the nobility and raised at court, a Cavalier is equally at home leading a cavalry charge or exchanging repartee at a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a5
marked with an asterisk on the map are empty. Combat in the courtyard alerts the inhabitants of the cells. They take 1d4 + 1 rounds to respond (roll for each one): Cell A. Lahnis (see area 30) uses these
courtyard to have disadvantage on Wisdom checks and saving throws. Being chained to the pillars causes hypnotic dreams that, after a period of weeks or months, improve combat skill and imbue most
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands
picture of the scene.
Ask the Players, “What Do You Do?” If the players aren’t sure how to respond, suggest ways they could glean more information, like looking for tracks.
Narrate the Results
, or Indifferent (see the D&D Beyond Basic Rules). Regardless, creatures defend themselves in combat.
Game Trail
You spot a regal elk on the trail beside a dense thicket. Startled by your
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
following techniques to make combat feel more menacing: Feature monsters that are immune to tactics characters often use but that are vulnerable to other strategies the characters could employ. Have foes
spend combat actions doing things that are fundamentally creepy, like chanting to sinister gods or regurgitating their last meal. Use another creature as the opening act for the true threat. A
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Borderlands Quest: Goblin Trouble
to speak to you, publicly or privately, if something in the game upsets them. Then respond appropriately. For instance, you can move past upsetting topics by quickly narrating a resolution to a scene
game can spark great storytelling and acting moments.
Remember, though, that part of the DM’s job is to keep the game’s story moving forward. If describing every single attack roll in a long combat gets boring, just say how much damage the attack deals and get to the next exciting moment.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss
different combatants to maneuver. The giant moves in the characters’ direction and lashes out. Two duergar guards and two duergar xarrorn (see appendix C) respond to the giant’s roaring, racing in to join
with the giant’s threat, but they attempt to arrest them again after the combat is over. Once the crazed giant is put down, another stone giant comes through the shattered gate, but this one looks
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
, combat, and other types of encounters to create interesting and engaging pacing. Ensure that scenes are always somehow relevant to your story and move characters toward their goals. Logistics You often
thing that could happen right now. Describe feelings of being watched. Hint that the characters are being hunted. Let characters respond to these stray thoughts. Sometimes these impressions should
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
characters you need to create, as well as how much detail you need to generate for each one. NPCs unlikely to become involved in combat don’t need full combat statistics, for example, just as characters
this chapter). 5. Anticipate the Villain’s Reactions As the adventurers pursue their goals and foil the villain’s plans, how does the villain respond? Does it lash out in violence or send dire warnings
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands
first arrive at a location or under a specific circumstance, as described in the text.
The guards are Bartho and Gala. The characters must respond to the guards and say whether they mean well or
lend their services to the keep.
Exploration and Movement. Exploration is open-ended; the players don’t take turns moving around the keep the way they do in combat. Instead, players simply say
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
four duergar start as Medium creatures. In the first 2 rounds of combat, each uses the Enlarge action after pulling out a bottle filled with phosphorescent green liquid and drinking it. (The liquid
Enclave, but they otherwise don’t respond to any attempts at conversation. Development. The duergar are quite mad, having been poisoned by the stream and stricken with gambling fever in Lottie’s Palace
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
suddenly stirs to life. It extends long purple tendrils toward you and moves slowly across the cave floor on root-like tendrils.
Running the Combat. Because the violet fungi move so slowly, it’s
fungi. If the adults become aware of danger through the noise of combat (or the sprouts’ Distress Spores), they move as quickly as they can to protect the sprouts. If the characters defeat the violet
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase
Constitution saving throw, taking 7 (2d6) fire damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. Parleying with the Kagu-Svirfneblin. If the characters respond peacefully, one of the
the Kagu-Svirfneblin. Combat with the kagu-svirfneblin and their maschin-i-bozorgs is likely to end poorly for the characters, and any characters who fought the maschin-i-bozorg in area F3 recognize
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase
simple workrooms contain one combat robot and three worker robots programmed to haul, manage, and protect cargo in the adjacent cargo holds (see area S33). The robots are inactive and indifferent
toward entrants unless disturbed, at which point they activate and attack. Aphelion’s Aid. If the characters have completed at least one task for Aphelion and face combat in a cargo hold on this level
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
available from alchemists in the Styes, being one of the district’s more popular exports. Before running this final part of the adventure, make sure you’re familiar with the rules on underwater combat
Sgothgah — or, better yet, that they have killed the rogue aboleth — they can engage these aboleths in diplomacy regarding their desire to kill or enslave the kraken. The aboleths might respond to a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase
dismembered combat robot clutter a workbench in this workshop. 6 The last page of a crew member’s journal mentions a brush with an “escaped specimen” on one of the lower decks. 7 1d4 Humanoid skeletons
. At the start of the third round of combat, a combat robot appears in the eastern hallway, sirens blaring. If the cloaker is still alive, the robot quickly moves to slay it. If the characters defeat
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention
. Use your judgement to resolve any plans that the players devise and award them appropriately (see “Narrative Combat”). If the gate is demolished, the players must hold the line alongside the defenders
that the enemy has breached the town square and the defenders are in dire need of aid. As you prepare to respond, you hear war drums beating from just outside town. Suddenly a bolt of lightning blasts a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
talk their way past the hobgoblins, two hobgoblins escort the party to area E2. Reinforcements. Sounds of combat here attract the guards in area E2. Treasure The hobgoblin captain has a belt pouch
battle attract attention from areas E6, E8, and E9. The ogres in area E9 are particularly slow to respond, however. E8. Priests’ Room Three beds, each with a footlocker, take up most of this room. Sets of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a1
or disturbance in the main area draws all the monsters, although those in the northwest chamber respond most slowly. Investigating. The containers on the small tables in the main area hold mashed
dispatched in area 54, are spread about the grove. After moving 50 feet into the cavern, the characters come upon 1d4 of the hostile creatures. Any significant noise, such as from combat or clearing the briars
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
the characters unless they see the sahuagin prisoner traveling with them. If they hear combat in either area 50 or area 52, they respond and help defend their potential allies. In this case, they leave
they hear combat in either area 50 or area 51, they respond and help defend their potential allies. Treasure. The merfolk salvager carries a leather purse containing 20 gp.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
-dead builder) is the only approach to the temple’s entrance. The skum lurking in the ship’s prow (area T3) keep an eye on the bridge and respond to any intruders. T2. Galley Pier The main deck of the
their attack. Think about the type of combat the players might enjoy and choose one of the following: The chuuls can pull down the floor of area T4 from below, so that all creatures in the corridor fall
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk
are always getting into fights, they don’t pay attention to noise in areas C2 or area C3. However, they’re quick to defend their tower if any intruders appear, or to respond to an alarm raised by the
(Religion) check to identify the deities that were once revered here: Oghma (god of knowledge), Mystra (god of magic), Lathander (god of dawn), and Tymora (god of luck). Development. If combat erupts
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Turn of Fortune’s Wheel
this chapter, consider adding the following additional challenges after a round or two of combat: Additional Foes. If an encounter features several of the same creature, have one more of that creature or
respond. Xabash can provide general details from the “Tyrant’s Spiral” section earlier in this chapter. Once the characters are done conversing with Xabash or if they attack it, the beholder drifts
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
griffons perched on the nearby slopes; these reinforcements arrive on the third round of combat. Like the other members of her clan, Rahi is distrusting of strangers and doesn’t abide intrusions. A
members who show great wisdom. The goliaths don’t ride the griffons; rather, they train them to hunt like falcons. The griffons are taught to respond to goliath whistles and never stray too far from their
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a5
appendix B) guard the apprentices. All the Thayans attack as soon as they notice intruders. Each round of combat, the Thayans direct one giant spider and one giant centipede to join the fight
eggs of various colors and textures.
Creatures. A Red Wizard enchanter (see appendix B), one dread warrior (see appendix B), and six skeletons oversee the eggs. If combat breaks out, the wizard sends
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver
tower if any intruders appear, or to respond to an alarm raised by the goblin sentries.
Treasure Mounted to the walls are five spears, four longswords, three morningstars, two greatswords, and a fine
knowledge), Mystra (goddess of magic), Lathander (god of dawn), and Tymora (goddess of luck). This is an obvious sign that the builders of the castle were human. Developments If combat erupts here, the