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Good morning all. I haven't done one of these rambles in a while, so be warned.. :P
Spoilered to save space:
The 'boss-fights' so far have been challenging, but my PCs have managed to win the day each time. With this last battle looming, I'm considering doing what I've done to all of the major foes in PF2 - giving the gestalt treatment to Xanesha.
I've been using Joey Virtue's excellent notes for changing the AP to fit a six-person party (it works quite well for a five person gestalt party too, BTW), and have made these changes to the encounter:
1) The Scarecrow was at the Sawmill instead of the Shadow Clock, so he will not be present;
2) I have four faceless stalkers at the Shadow Clock instead of three, and they are gestalt-modified with 5 levels of PF Rogue (the PCs already fought three of these things at Aldern's townhouse, so will know what to expect when they see them again).
I've read the horror stories of what Xanesha has done to parties, so I was initially hesitant to modify her. Having seen the improving tactics of my party, though, I think they can handle it (and know when to cut and run if things start to go bad for them).
With that in mind, I'm fishing for some ideas on what to add to Xanesha. Here's what's rattling around in my head right now:
- Adding levels in Rogue (which is what I've done to most of the foes the PCs have fought in PF2 so far) could work, though Bard (or Beguiler) might make better thematic sense, given her mission in Magnimar;
- I think Fighter would make her just too strong to beat, though an Urban Ranger variant would fit her 'predator' vibe nicely;
- Since she already has 8th-level spellcasting ability, I don't think I want to give her levels in a casting class (but a prestige class could work). I also need to settle on a bloodline for her;
- I've also been considering just using a template to modify her. Apart from skimming the Advanced Bestiary last night, I have no firm candidates here yet.
I wanted to get some outside perspective on this to see if I'm missing any other potential ideas, or if I'm signing my party's death certificates. I have until Saturday to hammer out the details, so any constructive thoughts are welcome.
As always, thanks in advance! :)
Your Friendly Neighborhood Dalesman
"Bringing Big D**n Justice to the Bad Guys Since 1369 DR"
My party did this combat last weekend
They took her out pretty well because of a Wand of Dispel Magic I put into the treasure of Iron Briar cause first three rounds the players were like WTF I cant even hit her except on a crit
I didnt kill anyone or drop anyone but it was a fun encounter our damm paladin has a 32 AC so it was a battle for me to hit also
Drat - no gestalt ideas at all?
In hindsight, I guess I did time the question poorly, what with PF's Launch Day approaching and all... :D
To quickly update: we stopped our last session as the PCs found the Shadow Clock, so I still have a few days to get Xanesha 'modified'.
As of right now, I've just given her the Inveigler template from Advanced Bestiary. It makes sense, given her mission, and gives her a little bump to her sorcerer abilities as well. I may just leave it at that and see how the party does.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Dalesman
"Bringing Big D**n Justice to the Bad Guys Since 1369 DR"
Well, it's done. My PCs actually bested the Wanton of Nature's Pagan Forms, but it was a close thing...
Xanesha targeted the main 'tank' of the party, and brought him down to single digits and managed to keep him there. He spent the whole fight trying to heal himself. Tank #2 kept rolling badly and couldn't get into a good position to do much damage either.
Her AC was pretty hard to get past, but they were able to land a few hits on her. The party's big stroke of luck came when their druid pierced her spell resistance and slapped an infestation of maggots spell on her for two rounds (before she dispelled it). They then started soaking her with a holy rain spell for some persistent damage.
They got her down to around 30 hit points and she tried to withdraw, flying out of the rain and straight up to the underside of the Irespan, her goal to dimension doorout next round. Luckily for the party, one who could still act had a flying spell on them, and took off after her (which I thought would end very badly). That PC had luck on her side, though, because she was able to land a critical hit with her ranseur and finally shut her down.
A decent fight, and a great victory for the PCs. Explaining all the hubbub to the hellknights afterward was a bit less enjoyable for them, though... ;P
Your Friendly Neighborhood Dalesman
"Bringing Big D**n Justice to the Bad Guys Since 1369 DR"
Glad to hear all went well with the encounter. If you don't mind, what bloodline did you choose for her?
To be honest, I forgot to write it in for her. :)
If I remember correctly, though, I was going to give her the Destined bloodline.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Dalesman
"Bringing Big D**n Justice to the Bad Guys Since 1369 DR"