Hello! I'm writing the conclusion to Chapter 1 of my campaign. The character's are seeking out a coven of hags that recently turned the bad weather into a storm on the island where the campaign takes place. Originally the plan was for only 2 of the hags to be present as the "boss battle" which would be a Green Hag and a Sea Hag. The third member, an Annis Hag would be elsewhere. Now I'm considering including all three without minions and are wondering how I could balance this encounter?
The party consists of 5 level 4 characters (Sorc, Warpriest, Unchained Rogue, Paladin, Barbarian), the players are decently smart and I like to challenge the players with a combination of hard monsters/NPCs, many actions and environments that restrict or offer options for the players. I tend to base encounters using the total XP the characters are worth but I feel that with just their basic attacks those hags will shred the players.
Two ideas:
-The hags are arguing, enabling the players to ambush them and get an easy ambush.
-The hags will combine their actions to use things like Baleful Polymorph using their coven powers. Only when one hag has been taken out will they resort to physical battle. Sure Baleful Polymorph is strong, but chances are they will only cast it once or twice, reducing the number of actions for the encounter.
Ideas or any comments regarding hag encounters or sources on similar encounters are most welcome!
When I've run Hag Encounters for early levels I generally forgo the Baleful Polymorphs as they are tough to remove for lower level parties. Instead using Deep Slumber and other nasty 1 Round cast time spells.
Gives you that ritual feeling while also giving your party time to break concentration.
Obviously don't do this ad nauseum but it helps set the mood that they're tough.
Thanks a lot! I think in conjunction all these ideas will make this a much better encounter.