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I have a party of no less than 8 PCs going through savage tide. We are currently in Kraken's cove. While there have been no PC deaths yet, there have been several very close calls.

I've been adjusting some of the antagonists and combats up a little in order to handle a party of this size. I've been prepping in advance to make things a bit easier down the road.

I'm looking at the final battle in Tides of Dread against Vanthus. I don't really like the way he is constructed (two weapon fighting is meh) and have re-done him as a Sorcadin. This fits with what I have been doing as the party "knew" him as a paladin in an intro adventure I ran prior to starting "There is no Honor". Only now, he has transitioned to a Paladin of Slaughter. :)

The printed incarnation is a CR 14 (11 levels +3 for half fiend. The aristocrat level doesn't count I guess). Since my party consists of 8 PC's I have added 1 to his CR by making him 12th level (Paladin 2, Sorcerer 4, Spellsword 1, Abjurant Champion 5, +3 from half fiend = CR 15).

I have given him very similar equipment to what is in the module (Lucern Hammer +3, Chain Shirt +3, Ring of Protection +2, Cloak of Resistance +2, Boots of Speed). However, with some choice spell effects he ends up with

AC 38 (Shield, Draconic Might, Haste, etc)
Init + 13 (nerveskitter, dex, improved init)
+21/+21/+16 for 4d6 + 13 (Greater Mighty Wallop increases dice from 2d4 to 4d6)
Fort: +22, Ref: +17, Wil: +19

Under the effects of: Draconic Might(12 minutes), Shield(24 rounds), Haste(10 rounds max), Greater Mighty Wallop(12 hours), Heart of Air(12 hours), Heart of Stone(12 hours), Displacement(12 rounds, assume 6 left when the fight starts) and mirror image(12 minutes).

Plus he has the Wings of Cover spell, which kills an attack, but prevents him from using Wraithstrike.

1st round: Evards Black tentacles on those on the ground, activate haste
2nd round: Move up and whack or cast Scorching Ray
3rd Round: Full Attack or repeat

One strike will easily do:
4d6 + 13 + 20 + 5d4(arcane strike) == 59.5 damage

If he ever gets off a full attack action, whatever he hits is DEAD.

I'm worried that perhaps I have over optimized this and made him an easy TPK. A 10th level fighter will have +10 BaB, +1 weapon, +6 from str is +17 to hit. Against a 38 AC, he would need a 20! Then throw in displacement and mirror image and its OVERKILL.

How much should I cut back on this? any ideas/suggestions?

I am running Savage tide for around 7-8 PC's (yes, its large, but that's the size of the group)

I am not happy with Rowyn Kellani in either of her two appearances or Vanthus when he invades Farshore.

I think both are woefully under powered for what the PCs will bring to bear.

=====================================================
1. Rowyn
I would like to keep her as a Bard/Rogue, maybe add a level or two, Give her melodic casting,

two Gut Tuggers and perhaps a few rogues/thugs.

Increase the size of the room, and maybe add in a Rhogodesha via some escape mechanism near the treasure room for when she makes her exit....

Of course, her chambers would have to be greatly increased in size. Which may not fit thematically? I think someone suggested doing it in the training room?

2. Rowyn on the Sea Wyvern
I need a lot of help changing this one and ideas on her build. Rogue/Bard/Assassin seems like it would fit, BUT, I'm not sure how bad arse she would be... and I want her to be BAD arse

3. Vanthus at Farshore
He is pretty pathetic in my opinion. I was considering either making him

- Pal/Sorc/SpellSword/AbjurantChamp
He can then be buffed up when he comes down, and as he has wings from the half fiend template, he could try to stay away and deal dmg from afar / single out targets. Basically try to divide and conquer.

or
- Warlock
With the grappling tentacles, vorascious dispelling, and Eldritch chain, plus a fell crucible, he could lock down some party members, keep his distance, dispel anyone that flies up, and keep doing ranged damage. He does the divide and conquer better I think.

Either way, he will need some minions to help prevent him from being killed in 1-2 rounds by the party. But I am at a loss of what minions to use, since I plan on having him fly down to them...

Hi everyone,

I am starting a 3.5 Savage Tide campaign in the near future for 7 or 8 players.

Is there anything available like Redhand of Doom DM Handbook for Savage Tide? (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171284)

I am trying to find advice, tips, where things need to be re-worked, etc. I was looking for any threads that have some detailed perspectives; basically as a way to reduce my total prep time and/or help me avoid pitfalls that I may not see until too late.

I checked out this board, but there are so many posts, its a little difficult to sift through them all. (I did go through about 10 pages of "A Madman GM's the Savage Tide" as it seems to be the best I have found so far).