Hi, guys!
I want to change my boss fights something like dark souls/devil may cry series. I want to change how battle works. And I'm sorry for my poor grammar!
For example, let's take large monster with 10 reach with spear I will use in Reign of Winter. Moss troll
I write for him 5 different attack animation and almost all of them are AoE. I make the boss fighter with AoE attacks hitting everyone's AC.
Here comes my thought how to balance and how to dodge those attack.
I will always give almost obvious hint what next attack my boss will use. No attacks of opportunity made by the boss. I will force my PCs move around him who are in melee.
So I tell to my group that moss troll is about to hit in left direction in the end of his turn. So moss troll waves with spear 10ft cone hitting anyone's AC on his next turn.
I tell my players the troll realeses left hand and threathnes area to the left of him. Moss troll hitting 15ft cone with claw and then bites target he managed to hit 10ft attack.
I can make not that obvious full-round attack by saying that the troll is about to bite PC, but he also attacks 10ft line on right after bit attack.
Moss troll can surprise my ranged PCs with semi-charge attack that will cause attack of opportunity from PCs but the troll will hit everyone in line while he runs.
5th attack is placed if critical score is made with spear of Manhunting. I just full-round with available attacks.
And please remember that all AoE attacks are claimed by me round before. So this is really debatable kind of topic. And I really need your opinion and help. And I really hope non of my players uses reddit.
Maybe PCs will get all troll's moves and will avoid them easily. So there is distraction placed by paizo in encounter. Atomie oracle and difficult terrain - 1 squares cost 4 squares of movement.
And again please excuse my language skills,
Misha