rpg

3147 readers

12 users here now

This community is for meaningful discussions of tabletop/pen & paper RPGs

Rules (wip):

Do not distribute pirate content
Do not incite arguments/flamewars/gatekeeping.
Do not submit video game content unless the game is based on a tabletop RPG property and is newsworthy.
Image and video links MUST be TTRPG related and should be shared as self posts/text with context or discussion unless they fall under our specific case rules.
Do not submit posts looking for players, groups or games.
Do not advertise for livestreams
Limit Self-promotions. Active members may promote their own content once per week. Crowdfunding posts are limited to one announcement and one reminder across all users.
Comment respectfully. Refrain from personal attacks and discriminatory (racist, homophobic, transphobic, etc.) comments. Comments deemed abusive may be removed by moderators.
No Zak S content.
Off-Topic: Book trade, Boardgames, wargames, video games are generally off-topic.

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

D&D: High Level Combat + Spells (Help) (ttrpg.network)

submitted 9 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

9 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hope I'm right here with this, sorry if the question is too specific for this community.

Our long-term D&D campaign has reached PC level 17. Now's the time for implementing mechanics that fasten up combat (we all don't like how long it takes), as well as addressing spells that the GM (me) fears to be game-breaking (mostly 9th level spells, full list below).

Sooo... I'd be thankful for any helpful suggestions. My current ideas for the combat aspect include shock damage, Instinct and Morale checks from Worlds Without Number, but those probably don't suffice yet. And I'm having trouble conveying to the spellcasters that toning down some spells is necessary in order to maintain a functional game that doesn't tear apart hours of preparation every session. Feel free to point out any potential counter-arguments to my view on that as well.

I'm really determined to keep this game running. Thank you all so much in advance!

List of spells that require revision or more exact definition (in my opinion): Wish, Meteor Swarm, Invulnerability, Gate, True Polymorph, Leomund's Tiny Hut, Rope Trick

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 8 points 9 months ago (1 children)

The biggest challenge during Tier 4 is still resource attrition. Let them use their big spells, but don't let them rest. The best challenge you can give them at this point is to make a multi-session-spanning dungeon-like structure.

An example from my previous campaign: heroes needed to get to the lowest level of Hell, but they needed to transit through every one of them in process. Enemies were everywhere, and places for rest were virtually nonexisting. I think they had like 1 long rest in four months of play during T4, and it actually was hard for them.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Did one of your spellcasters know the Gate spell? If so, what stopped the PCs from pulling the BBEG out of their lair and beating them up from the comfort of their homes? I'm having trouble coming up with challenges that don't actively oppose the abilities of high-level PCs. Just saying 'no' and refusing to let a spell take normal effect would very likely seem unfair, no matter how logical the in-game explanation might seem.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago

Did one of your spellcasters know the Gate spell? If so, what stopped the PCs from pulling the BBEG out of their lair and beating them up from the comfort of their homes?

Anti-magic field?
The BBEG has taken great efforts to hide their true name?
Private Sanctum spell?
The fact that Gate is an inter-planar spell, and not an intra-planar spell?

As the GM, one of your jobs is to present challenges for the party to overcome. That means actively countering their abilities list just as often as it means giving them a bone and letting them shine. The big moments of flexing mean a hell of a lot less when all they do is flex.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

Our Sorcerer knew Wish, but the player knew better than to try something like wishing to get to the lowest level of Hell, because on the meta level they wanted to play through this adventure, not to cheese.