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I would greatly benefit from PAIZO making "Layered-encounter-tables". The encounter tables provided in the Pathfinder materials mirror 1st/2nd edition style with creatures listed alone or as 1d6 of them, etc. But we need more layered groupings to effectively plan out a good combat. 1d8 minotaurs doesn't cut it any more, due to the nature of CR balancing and party balancing in the adventure design to provide a richer more interesting, better played combat event.
3.5 and Pathfinder place the party against BBEGs at the end of stories, or at various places through the adventure path.
Do you think we could, as a community create one? It would greatly help GMs who GM often (weekly) prepare good layered encounters.
Again, the d%, encounter, and average CR shown here isn't useful. I can easily handle this stuff:
23–30 2d6 hobgoblins CR4
31–36 1d4 giant eagles CR5
37–42 1d6 ogres CR6
43–44 1 white dragon (young) CR6
In fact, if PAIZO, or AEG or Louis Porter JR Design etc., or any 3pp makes a book full of this -----consider it SOLD, I'll buy it. It would save me lots of time assembling good layers.
But here's what it needs to have:
The BBEG & Book It's In
The Guards (strong guardsmen of the bbeg; middle layer of creatures)
The Minions (things smaller but not too many that muddle up combat)
Are you up to creating a list here as a community?
What to jump in with your favorite, awesome layered-encounter group?
Place your stuff here, and I'll contribute too!!!
Do you mean something like this?
1 unnaturally intelligent Crag Linnorm named Slag who's been terrorizing the nearby city of (Insert city name here) CR14. He's been sleeping near the top of an active volcano. Cool enough where he is, but hot if you go much higher. The seismic activity woke him and he was not pleased.
3 Fire giant bodyguards who love to throw rocks. CR10 each. They more or less worship the linnorm as a sign from their God, one who can spew forth lava and fly above.
5 Advanced Ogres, CR4 each. The ogres join in the raids because they simply love chaos and killing.
This would probably be a level 15 party taking this on. 14 if the GM likes to try and kill his players.
You've got all the elements:
- Bbeg & context
- Guards & context
- Lackeys & context
- Overall CR rating
Absolutely perfect, especially with the context provided. So helpful to GMs! Let's make 1000 more in this thread.
Its a very interesting thought and something I might consider for the 101 Series.
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I just ran this encounter
Sir Raxus, charged with raiding some ruins on the outskirts of town in search of a certain tomb(level 3 human fighter). Has amix of offense and defensive feats and uses sword and shield. CR2
Felterrin, a 2nd level human cleric. part of the same raiding party, assigned to control any undead encountered and confirm the right tomb (cr1)
5 Sell swords (level 1 human warriors) under Raxus command, these lackeys are armed as archers, 2 handed weapon or sword and shield. feats vary to accomidate fighting style. (cr 1/3 each)
3 zombies - fell beasts that Felterrin was able to create with a scroll (cr 1/2 each).
The whole party can be found camped/digging in a more or less intact ruin, with the zombies 'playing dead' near the entrance, awaiting command to stand up and attack.
This is about a CR5 encounter, or a weak cr 6.
Responses have been great! 999 more to go...
I will be doing this for the 101 Series I have the question out to our subscribers asking which they want me to do first Urban environment (like Ptolus or The Great City) or Forest/Wilderness (think Kingmaker).
Responses have been great! 999 more to go...I will be doing this for the 101 Series I have the question out to our subscribers asking which they want me to do first Urban environment (like Ptolus or The Great City) or Forest/Wilderness (think Kingmaker).
I don't want this to hinder you RP, because I WILL absolutely buy your 101 book as soon as it comes out, but...
There are some things on the market already that kind of address this need.
Purple Duck Games has:
Random Encounters Remastered
More Random Encounters Remastered
and Even More Random Encounters Remastered
Responses have been great! 999 more to go...I will be doing this for the 101 Series I have the question out to our subscribers asking which they want me to do first Urban environment (like Ptolus or The Great City) or Forest/Wilderness (think Kingmaker).I don't want this to hinder you RP, because I WILL absolutely buy your 101 book as soon as it comes out, but...
There are some things on the market already that kind of address this need.
Purple Duck Games has:
Random Encounters Remastered
More Random Encounters Remastered
and Even More Random Encounters Remastered
Do they provide Stated out enemy NPCs? I would love a book of random NPCs (note: Not monsters, but Humanoids with class levels) that could be thrown into any campaign setting. 3.0 had Enemies and Allies which was close to what I'm looking for. Would be a great DM tool for throwing something out in a pinch.