Registered User
Posts: 2492
(3/15/04 7:42 am) Reply
Bored and fishing for ideas
Level 1 D&D campaign. Very balanced and powerful party. However, I am having trouble thinking up fun level 1 encounters for them that they can survive. Thus far, they have successfully (if narrowly) defeated a young troll (16 hp, 16 ac, 1d3+1 dmg, regeneration 3, rend) and 1 wounded worg (18 hp instead of 31) as well as 2 young worgs (10 hp, only +3 to atk and +2 to dmg instead of +7 and +4, respectively). Still, although i toned down the HPs and Damage on these encounters, one party member still almost died (-4 hps), and another was down at 1hp. What are some slightly less challenging encounters for 1st level characters that are still interesting? Goblins have been done to death, and a good solid crit from one orc can kill the lower-hp players straight from full health to -10 or below. Anyone have any ideas?
I'd like to stick with monsters, if possible. NPC encounters get morally messy. I'm also trying to keep the encounters to relatively mundane monsters at this point - no outstandingly supernatural creatures, and definitely no troglodytes. Whoever thought up the CR on troglodytes was a terrible player-hater - that nausea effect with the temporary strength damage is a real killer.
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Registered User
Posts: 4624
(3/16/04 4:50 pm) Reply
Re: Bored and fishing for ideas
Demilich poets.
Vagabond Registered User
Posts: 348
(3/16/04 5:00 pm) Reply
Re: Bored and fishing for ideas
Low level undead, skels and zombies and such.
Low level orcs (yes yes, a crit will kill, but, thats life)
Kobolds.
crazed Animals.
hoodlums, pickpockets, enemy soldiers, etc (i.e. other 1st lvl humans)
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Cresch Registered User
Posts: 16
(3/17/04 1:12 pm) Reply
Re: Bored and fishing for ideas
In my campaigns the real storyline doesn't usually start until about mid-way through 2nd level (if we start at 1st). It's nice to give them monsters and situations to help flesh out the character first IMO.
Illusions are great fun at lower levels and can be really deadly at higher levels. Since they are illusions, you can technically have them 'hit' as 'hard or soft' as you like. Then again, I like to screw with my players a bit. Make them think i'm out to get them but in a fun way. Having them go against the really weak illusion of a Troll will see who are the scared ones in the group and how the party will work together on different levels.
Or situationally, Have them face an absolutely real and deadly foe, one that would kill them outright, that they know not to attack for any reason or just simply die, but give them exp for circumventing any combat rather than for killing the monster.
For instance, they must go retrieve something important but relatively mundane sounding from a seemingly easy dungeon/cave situation. Perfect sounding for a level 1 character. Have them expect nothing more than some bears or a den of wolves. Of course after they enter the dungeon, they find out that a sleeping giant basilisk, or something horrible like that, lies between them and the item. Fights with Rats, skeletons of something other than humans (maybe the dead wolves or bears, hehe), large spiders with poison that would kill a small animal like a squirrel but only makes a humanoid really drunk feeling and therefore louder or more clumsy, and a trap that would almost certainly cause enough commotion to wake a slumbering creature standing in their way. Of course the creature has been put to sleep magically and there is no real danger, even though the players don't know that. Also, Nothing too tough of course monster-wise (as nothing edible would still be around) And a way around and not directly through the sleeping monster's chamber through some tunnels. A 3rd alternate way through the chamber on a ledge high above the creature itself might give them the 3 options for travel and differing situations for you to play with.
Then again, I’m just spouting. From what I’ve read in this forum you have great ideas and were just looking for some mobs. Don’t mind me, just brain-farting since my regular group is shattered due to married-with-young-children-growing-up'edness, hehe.
Iscin Registered User
Posts: 702
(3/18/04 2:26 am) Reply
Re: Bored and fishing for ideas
Spice up the combat by an exotic or dangerous location. Rickety bridge, wet mossy steps leading to where they need to go.
Or throw em against a level one wimpy creature that's also very clever about making traps and such.
And remember you're the GM...don't let mere die rolls determine the outcome of players actions. If someone comes up with an inspired idea but rolls nothing but 1's in the execution, let them escape with their lives.
I might be an overly kind GM, but generally I will only let the dice kill a player if he did something stupid to begin with.
Registered User
Posts: 2496
(3/18/04 5:36 am) Reply
Re: Bored and fishing for ideas
wow, lots to respond to.
Cresch - some great ideas there. Illusions won't be optimal since it's a low-magic campaign, but definitely there. Animal skeletons are also interesting, but they wouldn't live long enough - 2 clerics in this group.
Iscin - the location idea is a good one that you've reminded me of. Unfortunately, the game is over IRC, so it's a little bit harder to do tactical movement. As to letting die rolls determine the outcome of the game, my one hard and fast rule is that unless it would ruin a player's experience, I always let the dice decide everything. Now, players in my campaign won't die easily, since I'm giving them 1 free get-out-of-death free card each, and all the players can go to -30 hps without dying when I deem it appropriate, but having them all get knocked out by a single monster would be ugly.
On a side note, I was looking through a friend's 2nd edition monster compendium and found a few low-level monsters that never got converted to 3rd, such as the Needleman and Mudman. Does anyone know of any other low-level 2nd or 1st edition monsters that haven't been converted to 3rd edition yet? This is a 3.0 game, so stat conversions are pretty easy.
Re: Bored and fishing for ideas
Bhaergalas... freaky dog-lion-ish critters that can talk and use a bit of tactics. Good fer a few 2nd level characters. When they hit level three you can toss several at them fer a MAJOR challenge.
Re: Bored and fishing for ideas
Ain't really sure how ta convert 'em...
Just make 'em sorta like normal wolves with a lion's mane and tail poof, maybe 8 intelligence... and make sure to remember that they exude a smell of baked bread.
Wolves that use tactics pretty much. not as bad as worgs tho...
Registered User
Posts: 2506
(3/23/04 12:40 pm) Reply
Re: Bored and fishing for ideas
most of those are aquatic. The players are level 2, now, so they can handle a bit beefier things - they're tough little sons-of-bitches, I tell you! They took out seven gibberlings and a dekanter goblin all at once at level 1 - very impressive. Then, with half the party at low hps and completely out of spells, they defeated a CR 3 Meenlock, still at level 1. What should I torment them with next?
but in a fun way. Having them go against the really weak illusion of a Troll will see who are the scared ones in the group 
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