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Returning 35 results for 'designed instinct are battle'.
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Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
can be used in another steel predator. Battle damage can cause this instinct to fail, however, in which case the steel predator lingers in the area, hunting and killing other creatures that resemble
predator locates its prey by sight and smell.
Once battle is joined, the predator ignores every other threat to attack its target, unless other creatures prevent it from reaching the target. In that
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
a murder but doesn’t want to be found or identified.
2
An emerald dragon seeks heroes to participate in a dramatic reenactment of a legendary battle involving dragon riders.
3
An
a constant battle against deep gnome miners, who scour the tunnels of the dragon’s lair in search of emeralds.
2
An adult silver dragon tries to befriend and draw out a reclusive adult
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
doesn’t want to be found or identified.
2
An emerald dragon seeks heroes to participate in a dramatic reenactment of a legendary battle involving dragon riders.
3
An emerald dragon
’s lair is a maze of twisting tunnels, interconnected caverns, or crumbling ruins designed to disorient intruders. Circuitous routes within the lair provide the dragon with numerous ways to evade
Backgrounds
Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus
instinct proves a useful starting point when determining who might take a bribe, who might turn a blind eye to a crime, or who might have criminal connections. You can also use this sense to get a
.
5
Those who fight beside me are those worth dying for.
6
I fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.
d6
Flaw
1
The monstrous enemy we faced in battle still
Lizardfolk
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
Learn More
Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
. For example, humans confronted by an angry troll experience fear on a basic level. Their limbs shake, their thinking becomes panicked and jumbled, and they react by instinct. The emotion of fear takes
in the other humanoids and makes them less helpful in battle.
Utility and Survival
The lizardfolk mindset might seem unnecessarily cruel, but it helps them survive in a hostile environment. The
Backgrounds
Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
important than the gear and fighting style of its members, and so most of these orders aren’t limited to fighting types, but are open to all sorts of folk who are willing to battle and die for the
order’s cause.
The “Knightly Orders of Faerûn” sidebar details several of the orders that are active at present and is designed to help inform your decision about which group
Kobold
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
Learn More
Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
, designed to collapse under the weight of any creature heavier than a kobold. On occasion, the route through a kobold lair runs along a ledge that borders a cavern or a crevasse, and the kobolds might
populated areas, practice cannibalism, believing it is foolish to waste good meat.
In any case, kobolds that eat humanoids don’t simply start consuming corpses or prisoners right after a battle
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice & Errata
Can a non-Battle Master attempt to disarm someone? The Disarming Attack maneuver is designed for the Battle Master Fighter, but any character can try to disarm a foe. Such an attempt would fall under improvising an action not detailed by the rules and would be up to your DM to adjudicate.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
opponent, your best candidate for that foe is one of the game’s legendary creatures, which are designed to fill this need. If the battle involves multiple monsters, decide roughly how many creatures you want to use before continuing with step 3.
Step 2: Choose Encounter Size Determine whether you want to create a battle that pits one creature against the characters, or if you want to use multiple monsters. If the fight is against a single
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat
Developments This battle will likely be a challenge to run. It is designed to create an emotional low spot in the adventure, during which overall defeat for the forces of good looks like a real
possibility. Character death — even if temporary — can crush some players’ spirits. For those players, don’t make this battle just a relentless slog toward death. Give the adventurers opportunities to save
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons
Developments This battle will likely be a challenge to run. It is designed to create an emotional low spot in the adventure, during which overall defeat for the forces of good looks like a real
possibility. Character death—even if temporary—can crush some players’ spirits. For those players, don’t make this battle just a relentless slog toward death. Give the adventurers opportunities to save
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Unearthed Arcana
The Artificer December 17, 2024
In this new Unearthed Arcana document, we explore material designed for upcoming books, using rules from the 2024 Player’s Handbook. This playtest document presents
a revised Artificer, along with 4 revised subclasses: Alchemist, Armorer, Artillerist, and Battle Smith. It also presents a new spell and a number of new magic items.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
Level 14: Arcturiadoom Arcturiadoom is designed for four 13th-level characters, and adventurers who defeat the monsters on this level should gain enough XP to advance halfway to 14th level. The lich
her personal retreat (“doom” being an archaic term for a lord’s domain). Hidden on this level is Arcturia’s phylactery, and adventurers would be wise to find and destroy it before facing the lich in battle on level 23.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
river become less obtrusive. Eighteen troglodytes live in these caves and respond quickly to sounds of battle. These enslaved troglodytes can’t take reactions. When an enslaved troglodyte takes damage
, it can make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw to break free of the aboleth’s control. On a successful save, the troglodyte fights for its own survival, not the aboleth’s. Its first instinct is to flee if it
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
adventures for characters who did not participate in the missions. The Final Enemy is designed for four to six characters of 7th level. If you want to use story-based character advancement (see
final battle where the characters have a chance to lead a final, decisive assault on the sahuagin fortress.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Advancement Tyranny of Dragons: The Rise of Tiamat was designed around the milestone system of advancement. At the start of the adventure, the characters should be 7th or 8th level. Instead of
Attack) Chapter 15: Xonthal’s Tower Chapter 16: Mission to Thay (level gain at DM’s option) Chapter 13: The Cult Strikes Back (Third Attack) Leveling up after seven milestones should bring the characters to 14th or 15th level in time for the final battle at the Well of Dragons.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat
Advancement Tyranny of Dragons: The Rise of Tiamat was designed around the milestone system of advancement. At the start of the adventure, the characters should be 7th or 8th level. Instead of
Attack) Chapter 15: Xonthal’s Tower Chapter 16: Mission to Thay (level gain at DM’s option) Chapter 13: The Cult Strikes Back (Third Attack) Leveling up after seven milestones should bring the characters to 14th or 15th level in time for the final battle at the Well of Dragons.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer Academy
Wildspace Battle As your ship steers clear of the asteroids, another ship appears. Its sleek frame is painted in a wild shade of pink and is designed to resemble an immense squid. Starlight reflects
battle. Hammerhead Ship The following statistics are for the characters’ training ship and appear in handout 1. The ship is equipped with one ballista and two mangonels, each on a rotating mount. The
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons
Advancement Tyranny of Dragons: The Rise of Tiamat was designed around the milestone system of advancement. At the start of the adventure, the characters should be 7th or 8th level. Instead of
Chapter 16: Mission to Thay (level gain at DM’s option) Chapter 13: The Cult Strikes Back (Third Attack) Leveling up after seven milestones should bring the characters to 14th or 15th level in time for the final battle at the Well of Dragons.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
, or even pieces of candy if miniatures are unavailable. Many software tools designed to facilitate online D&D play provide a battle grid. Even without such tools, though, many online D&D games use
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
than the gear and fighting style of its members, and so most of these orders aren’t limited to fighting types, but are open to all sorts of folk who are willing to battle and die for the order’s cause
. The “Knightly Orders of Faerûn” sidebar details several of the orders that are active at present and is designed to help inform your decision about which group you owe allegiance to. Skill
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monsters of the Multiverse
steel predator slays its target and then voluntarily returns to Sigil, where it’s broken down into parts that can be used in another steel predator. Battle damage can cause this instinct to fail, however
boundaries, but such detection is accurate only to within a thousand yards; to close the remaining distance, the steel predator locates its prey by sight and smell. Once battle is joined, the predator
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
, or even pieces of candy if miniatures are unavailable.
Many software tools designed to facilitate online D&D play provide a battle grid. Even without such tools, though, many online D&D games use
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
predator. Battle damage can cause this instinct to fail, however, causing the steel predator to linger in the area, hunting and killing other creatures that resemble its target, that fit the target’s
and smell. Once battle is joined, the predator ignores every other threat to attack its target, unless other creatures prevent it from reaching the target. In that case, it does what it must to fulfill
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)
hobgoblin warlords or bugbear chiefs. “Bree-Yark!”
— Goblin for “We surrender!” (or so they say)
Challenging Lairs. Goblins festoon their lairs with alarms designed to signal the arrival of intruders
. Maglubiyet the Mighty One, the Lord of Depths and Darkness, is the greater god of goblinoids. Envisioned by most goblins as an eleven-foot-tall battle-scarred goblin with black skin and fire erupting
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat
(fearing that an all-out battle would likely destroy the village too), they’re interested in talking of little else besides who could be inside. The most popular theories are that Xonthal has returned or has
by brilliantly crafted wishes cast by Xonthal. The tower is impervious to all scrying and divination, and invulnerable against all forms of attack and alteration. Approaching through the maze and overcoming the puzzles designed by Xonthal is the only way to get inside.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons
(fearing that an all-out battle would likely destroy the village too), they’re interested in talking of little else besides who could be inside. The most popular theories are that Xonthal has returned or has
by brilliantly crafted wishes cast by Xonthal. The tower is impervious to all scrying and divination, and invulnerable against all forms of attack and alteration. Approaching through the maze and overcoming the puzzles designed by Xonthal is the only way to get inside.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
a villain and a group of minions in a battle to the finish. 2 The adventurers chase a villain while dodging obstacles designed to thwart them, leading to a final confrontation in the villain’s refuge
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
whiteboard on a wall or propped up nearby A battle mat you use for miniatures Folded index cards for each character and each group of identical monsters, placed like tents in Initiative order across the top of
your DM screen A virtual tabletop program you’re using or a group text chat Magnets, clothespins, or an accessory designed to represent the Initiative order spatially An open list makes everyone
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
build a battle that is potentially deadly, though still not likely to be an automatic defeat. A party of four characters facing an encounter designed for six characters would fall into this category
rating (CR) to use for a legendary creature opposing a party of four to six characters, creating a satisfying but difficult battle. For example, for a party of five 9th-level characters, a CR 12
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things
Hulgaz in your campaign. You can run the following encounters to introduce Hulgaz to the party. These encounters are designed to occur in the order presented over the course of several game sessions, as
the exchange is over. Time of Need During an especially harrowing fight, Hulgaz appears to the party. She teleports to the most hard-pressed character and casually offers to help in the battle. All she
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
mount often means securing an egg and raising the creature yourself, making a bargain with a powerful entity, or negotiating with the mount itself. Barding. Barding is armor designed to protect an
. Saddles. A military saddle braces the rider, helping you keep your seat on an active mount in battle. It gives you advantage on any check you make to remain mounted. An exotic saddle is required for
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things
Adjusting for Party Level Harrowhall is designed to be a challenge for four 8th-level characters who explore the keep in a single session. Decrease the challenge for characters lower than 8th level
a clay golem, a shield guardian, or another weaker Construct. Ghostly Allies. When the characters battle the behir, their ghostly allies harry and distract the creature, giving it disadvantage on
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
. Their instinct for pack structure has made these dinosaurs a traditional war mount for the halflings of the Talenta Plains, with clawfoots quickly and eagerly responding to training and control
rather than fight. However, even though not trained for battle, they can deliver a vicious bite if pressed. Fastieth
Medium beast, unaligned
Armor Class 14
Hit Points 9 (2d8)
Speed 50 ft.
STR
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
encountered in a blizzard, whereas perytons almost never are. Some the random encounters are designed to test the characters in battle, while others encourage roleplaying. All of them paint a picture of






