(This is a multi-faceted problem, FYI.)
I am new to Pathfinder though I am a long-time GM with a lot of 3.5 experience. I'm currently preparing for a 6-8 sessions mini-campaign. The encounter with the chief antagonist at the end of this story arc will put the party (4-5 players) at level 4. I'd like the encounter to be with a human oracle geared for battle and his orcish bodyguards.
So, a few questions:
1. With an average group of players (two are very experienced roleplayers with lots of interest in building statistically strong characters, the other three are varying levels of experience and interest), at what EL should I pit this encounter?
2. I want the antagonist (the oracle) to be difficult to defeat, but I don't want it to be a "single monster" encounter. So how many/what type of orc bodyguards would you suggest to make this an interesting encounter?
Thanks in advance for your assistance--just looking for good ideas from other folks and a bit of advice on how difficult this encounter should be.)
(This is a multi-faceted problem, FYI.)
I am new to Pathfinder though I am a long-time GM with a lot of 3.5 experience. I'm currently preparing for a 6-8 sessions mini-campaign. The encounter with the chief antagonist at the end of this story arc will put the party (4-5 players) at level 4. I'd like the encounter to be with a human oracle geared for battle and his orcish bodyguards.
So, a few questions:
1. With an average group of players (two are very experienced roleplayers with lots of interest in building statistically strong characters, the other three are varying levels of experience and interest), at what EL should I pit this encounter?
2. I want the antagonist (the oracle) to be difficult to defeat, but I don't want it to be a "single monster" encounter. So how many/what type of orc bodyguards would you suggest to make this an interesting encounter?
Thanks in advance for your assistance--just looking for good ideas from other folks and a bit of advice on how difficult this encounter should be.)
Dwarven defender (it's called something else now I forget, plus I dont think its dwarf specific anymore) bodyguards standing at the 4 cardinal points around the oracle.
WesF, is it possible to have four stalwart defenders surrounding the oracle without moving this encounter impossibly far out of the characters' range? The minimum level for a stalwart defender is 7, which means four eighth level bodyguards at the least...
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(4-5 players) at level 4. I'd like the encounter to be with a human oracle geared for battle and his orcish bodyguards.
So, a few questions:
1. With an average group of players (two are very experienced roleplayers with lots of interest in building statistically strong characters, the other three are varying levels of experience and interest), at what EL should I pit this encounter?
2. I want the antagonist (the oracle) to be difficult to defeat, but I don't want it to be a "single monster" encounter. So how many/what type of orc bodyguards would you suggest to make this an interesting encounter?
As the culminating fight against the BBEG Human Oracle of Battle & his Orcs?
EL 7-8 range.
If the party is well-designed & contains 5 players, I'd err on the high side for the "APL+3 Boss Fight" range. You could jack it up to 9 or so, but with a high likelihood of PC death.
Here's my take.
EL 8 Encounter:
Elite Array Human Oracle 7 (CR 6, 2400 XP)
4x Orc Barbarian 3 (CR 2 600 XP each)
Preferably use a fairly large arena, with decent cover between both sides. A large natural caverns with stalagmites, or the classic "heard combat several rooms away" dungeon scenario both serve nicely. If Battle Oracle can get a few rounds of unmolested casting, the party faces a very tough foe.
Stat Blocks for Battle Oracle & his bodyguards in Google Docs
Great stuff, PsionicHamster! This will really help.
One last question: if I switch the oracle to a Bone mystery, will any skeletons he summons with his mysteries be considered an addition to the EL, or are those types of summons already factored in?
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Summons & Undead minions created by the NPC's active "Spells Prepared" or "Spell-Like Abilities" per day do not increase the CR values for a given encounter.
If they had prepared, say, Fireball, instead of Animate Dead, you wouldn't increase the CR of a wizard, would you?
The same logic follows with summons.