A quick question about Drathar's Dominate ability. Even if the barbarian makes his Will save, can't he just try it again on his next turn? With a Will save of +0 (Wisdom of 8), it seems like it's only a matter of time before the barbarian becomes Drakthar's flunky.Oh, did I mention that the party doesn't have a cleric? Ouchy...
Watch out for wizards with Command Undead.
It could be anything from a cake walk to a TPK depending on one Will save.
Likely that he'll get two saves. The first to resist the Domination and a *second* save if Drakthar commands the barbarian to do something against his nature.
IMC, Drakthar dominated the party rogue (failed save), then immediately commanded him to kill the wizard (another failed save, even with a +2 that I decide to give him). The rogue was quickly knocked unconscious by the party barbarian, so no harm no foul.
If Drakthar commands YOUR groups' barbarian, and he fails his save twice, then it would definitely be Ugly, capital "U". Better, then, for you (the DM) to head off such a disaster by having Drakthar target a fringe PC.
Perhaps (as in my campaign) while the rest of the group are up to their necks with Goblins, Drakthar approaches from the rear, dominates the rogue or mage, and then leaves, communicating telepathically from that point on.
shade
Does anyone know why Drakthar's attack bonus with his slam attack is so poor compared to his morningstar?
I'm having difficulty understanding why there is a difference in the two attack bonuses. Please, help.
OK. Sorry, I think I understand, now.
OK. Sorry, I think I understand, now.
** spoiler omitted **Is that correct?
That is correct. Interestingly, his statblock lists him as carrying a shield, so it seems kind of odd to me that he gets 2 attacks.
My party fought Drakthar twice. The first time they encountered him, they had just been ambushed by a dozen goblins. He emerged from the darkness, inadvertantly revealed some interesting information (he mentioned that he thought the PCs were assassins sent by the "Cage Makers" as he called them) and quite politely told them he was going to kill them.
Since I gathered he was going to face them at least one more time, in the first fight I deliberately had him underestimate them. Since he was carrying his shield, he just got the 1 Morningstar attack - I was counting on his high AC, DR and Fast Healing to carry him through a few rounds. After smacking the Swordsage for max damage (even at 4th level, 13 points leaves a mark), he was promptly tripped by the Enlarged Spiked Chain Wielding Psychic Warrior, smacked with Burning Blade by the Swordsage, and finished off by a near-max damage Smite Evil by the party's (18 STR) Paladin. This forced Drakthar to turn into mist, and he led them on a merry chase through a section of the dungeon they had not yet explored. Adventurer's paranoia set in, and they slowed down to let the rogue search thoroughly, which allowed Drakthar time to slowly wafte out of sight.
By the time the party fought Drakthar again, he had had enough time to regenerate in his coffin, and was waiting for them at the top of the ladder in his treasure room. He summoned the children of the night, but I rolled REALLY badly - a paltry 2 bat swarms would arrive in 12 rounds. Luckily, the Dire Bat was there to put some hurt on the party. As the party tried to beat on the bat, Drakthar attempted to Dominate the Psychic Warrior who tripped him earlier. He rolled a 13 (the DC is 12), BARELY shaking off the vampire's influence. The cleric then cast Magic Weapon on his Silver Chain... and things went predictably from there. Drakthar turned to mist to attempt to float down to start melee, but he suffered an AoO from the enlarged Psychic Warrior - without all that armor it hit easily and did 15 damage, knocking Drakthar to 4 hp. Drakthar was going to close for melee anyway, this time dropping his morningstar and shield with a flourish and wading in with both slams firing, but the Cleric knocked him out of the fight with a Spiritual Weapon spell (Which he apparently prepared 3 of). This time the party was able to locate the coffin and staked him.
Total damage done by Drakthar over the course of 2 fights: 13 points.
I have GOT to stop underestimating my players. :)
Eric "Critic of the Dawn"
Very good.
I asked about the slam because Drakthar hasn't been successful in connecting with it, yet.
My group has encountered him 3 times, so far. I've allowed him to re-supply his goblins as needed and given him a few extra goblin adepts with the shocker lizards (which freaked my players out because they weren't expecting anything like that... they're now very afraid of shocker lizards).
The group has reduced Drakthar to a mist once, but got too scarred to follow him. They were sure he was leading them into a trap (which he was).
The group has still failed to discover how to kill a vampire. Though, they were creative in using potions of healing as offensive weapons to deal damage to him. They didn't even think of buying holy water, before. But, I don't think any of them expected to be facing a vampire, either.
Interestingly, his statblock lists him as carrying a shield, so it seems kind of odd to me that he gets 2 attacks.
Slap or Slam
The creature batters opponents with an appendage, dealing bludgeoning damage.
A slam can just as easily be a headbutt or a kick, just like an unarmed attack.
In my group of players, the Cleric of Pelor tried his greater turning (Sun domain), rolled a twenty, got enough damage dice, and evaporated Drathkar right after Drathkar said, "I will drink you all dry!"
It was sort of anticlimactic. Funny, but anticlimactic.
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In my group of players, the Cleric of Pelor tried his greater turning (Sun domain), rolled a twenty, got enough damage dice, and evaporated Drathkar right after Drathkar said, "I will drink you all dry!"
It was sort of anticlimactic. Funny, but anticlimactic.
My party's cleric unleashed a double light of Mercuria at Drakthar just as he rounded a corner on them. 8d6 against his measly hit points spelt doom for the poor vamp.
Interestingly, his statblock lists him as carrying a shield, so it seems kind of odd to me that he gets 2 attacks.A slam can just as easily be a headbutt or a kick, just like an unarmed attack.Slap or Slam
The creature batters opponents with an appendage, dealing bludgeoning damage.
Granted, but if that is the case why does he not get a morningstar attack and 2 slam attacks?
Eric "Critic of the Dawn"