More Xanesha help

[Shik]

I know Xanesha has been the topic of much conversation but I am having difficulty tracking down the info I need and it is further complicated by the differences between the anniversary edition and the original.

In the anniversary edition (which I am running) "before combat" buffs are typically stated to be included in the stat blocks. This is not the case for Xanesha. She already has a 25 AC so throwing just mage armor would bump that up to 29.

Does anyone know if it is included or not? Would it be wise to just assume all Bosses have their pre-combat spell buffs in their stat blocks already?

Thanks!

[Githzilla]

Since the detail on her AC in her stat block has +1 from armor, you can assume mage armor is NOT included yet. My guess is if she casts mage armor it boosts her AC to 28.

[Shik]

Githzilla wrote:

Since the detail on her AC in her stat block has +1 from armor, you can assume mage armor is NOT included yet. My guess is if she casts mage armor it boosts her AC to 28.

An excellent point. Many thanks.

[Dathus Tomar]

I'm looking at the Anniversary edition right now at work, and I do not see "Mage Armor" as one of her spells. Do you mean Mirror Image? It says, and I quote:
"Before Combat: If she realizes the PCs are near(as is the case if the faceless stalker drops a bell), Xanesha casts invisibility and mirror image on herself. She also activates her Sihedron medallion's false life ability."

No mention of Mage Armor anywhere on her character block.

[Githzilla]

My guess is Shik is taking some of the original Xanesha abilities and thinking the new Xanesha has them, since it looks like Mage Armor is on the original version (but not the Anniversary edition).

[Dathus Tomar]

Which is weird since he mentioned he was using the AE version of her, so thus my confusion.

Though if she DID have Mage Armor I could see why that would make her more of a pain.

[M0bious]

So after all this time..is Xanesha (AE) difficult enough? Without bull rushing at her tactics and the like?? I am asking because my party will probably reach at her tower next time and i am still wondering how to play her...They are not really good in tactics but they got high ability scores and that increased their survivability so far..

[Dathus Tomar]

Maybe you could use Xanesha as a method of trying to teach them tactics? The only ones my group is using is Rogue and Paladin Flank, Monk do whatever, Ranger from mixed distance, and Alchemist running around trying to poison and spamming CLW when not Mutagening.

[Shik]

Githzilla wrote:

My guess is Shik is taking some of the original Xanesha abilities and thinking the new Xanesha has them, since it looks like Mage Armor is on the original version (but not the Anniversary edition).

After running this encounter over the weekend, I realized I did exactly this. lol.

M0bious wrote:

So after all this time..is Xanesha (AE) difficult enough? Without bull rushing at her tactics and the like?? I am asking because my party will probably reach at her tower next time and i am still wondering how to play her...They are not really good in tactics but they got high ability scores and that increased their survivability so far..

I believe she still is. Even without the absurdly high AC. She still does some pretty decent damage and the impaler of thorns can apply a pretty dangerous effect. The Medusa's Mask is also really effective.

The only reason my players managed to defeat her without too much damage to themselves is due to an enlarged paladin who made some epic hits...

[Landon Winkler]

If you're worried Xanesha won't be powerful enough, I'd suggest buffing something other then her AC. Give her max HP or let her cast Bear's Endurance on herself or somesuch. Spending the whole fight missing makes the fight as annoying as it is challenging.

My group's Xanesha fight was pretty challenging because they went in from the top of the clocktower with fly, so the rest of the inhabitants showed up as the battle progressed.

The cool part:

What I'd definitely do again is have the Scarecrow burst in through the clockface after a few rounds in combat. So, they're fighting Xanesha right behind the clock and as soon as someone gets close to the face, the flesh golem bursts through and grabs them.

Fair warning, that was touch and go for my group. It was also totally awesome.

Cheers!
Landon

[Shik]

Landon Winkler wrote:

If you're worried Xanesha won't be powerful enough, I'd suggest buffing something other then her AC.

Landon

I very much agree with this. It is high enough already. I don't like it when my players feel like true strike is the only viable option.