Ok, it's not the bbeg, its the bbeg's lieutenant, but whatever. So here's the deal. The party is chasing an assassin, they'll catch up to her pretty soon. Your restraints are as follows:
1. Must wield Kopesh as weapon. Bow as secondary weapon is acceptable.
2. Must be cat-like. Catfolk would be easy, but any cat-ish monster races would be okay.
3. Must provide reasonable- hard challenge for party.
On that note, our party is level 7. It consists of a dwarf fighter with a gretaxe, a uber-buffer/controller Oracle (and occasional healer), and two more warrior types, one with a schythe and the other with Rapier + bufferfly sting.
With Butterfly sting and a scythe and greataxe wielder, the party has some serious 1-shotting potential. I'd like that not to happen.
Notes: The combat doesn't have to be just party vs assassin. Multiple monsters are quite permissible. Fun with terrain is permissible. It's quite possible this combat *could* take place on a ship (but not required). You don't have to use the assassin class, that's just flavor, but it would be nice if the character felt stealthy, sneaky, and able to kill quickly.
I don't use 3rd party stuff, other than that, this isn't PFS so pretty much no holds are barred. Oh, and keep in mind that although I want it to be a hard fight, I also want the PCs to win at the end of the day.
Rakshasas may be what you're looking for, you'd just have to switch their kukri for a kopesh.
Problem is, they're CR 10, IIRC. So it might be a bit much for your players.
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Which spells does the Oracle knows and what are his revelations ?
This is IMO what will decide which tactics to use.
Catfolk ninja are great I think for the whole stealthy efficient killer theme (but mostly with their natural weapons).
What level must the assassin be ?
Also it seems that you have no ranged attacker. How do they fight an opponent that does not come into melee range ?
I'd toss in a bunch of 1-hit point mooks/minions (like 4E) to wear them down a bit. They will feel pretty powerful when they take them all out, but they are just fodder to wear the party down a bit and make them use resources that will make the fight a little harder when they finally take on the lieutenant. I'd also use terrain and traps if possible.
As far as the build goes, I'd probably go with a catfollk assassin/shadowdancer of some sort. Give some gear (level appropriate) to stealth and then you have the NPC attacking from the shadows.
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Rakshasas may be what you're looking for, you'd just have to switch their kukri for a kopesh.
Problem is, they're CR 10, IIRC. So it might be a bit much for your players.
I think it's perfect, really. If the party is experienced, they should be able to handle an APL+3 encounter...exactly what a 10 is. Keep in mind, they have all the actions...sure, it'll cause plenty of trouble...that's the idea. :p
If they can't do it alone, maybe it has slaves that are competent, and would turn against it?
Rakshasas may be what you're looking for, you'd just have to switch their kukri for a kopesh.
Problem is, they're CR 10, IIRC. So it might be a bit much for your players.
I think it's perfect, really. If the party is experienced, they should be able to handle an APL+3 encounter...exactly what a 10 is. Keep in mind, they have all the actions...sure, it'll cause plenty of trouble...that's the idea. :p
If they can't do it alone, maybe it has slaves that are competent, and would turn against it?
Well, yeah, if it's all by itself... And if they player are in fact, experienced.
But I'm assuming the OP is willing to give the BBEG a few minions, otherwise, action economy will be its doom! And those few minions can easily increase the CR to APL+4 or even +5. That's a big deal.
All the players are experienced gamers, all of them have solid characters. APL+3 shouldn't be an issue. I think a raksahsa might well do the trick. Now I need a few reasonably weak minions, i can probably figure that out on my own. thanks!
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All the players are experienced gamers, all of them have solid characters. APL+3 shouldn't be an issue. I think a raksahsa might well do the trick. Now I need a few reasonably weak minions, i can probably figure that out on my own. thanks!
They tend to like slaves...that can go either way, depending on how things play out. They give you...flexibility. :)
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Rakshasas may be what you're looking for, you'd just have to switch their kukri for a kopesh.
Problem is, they're CR 10, IIRC. So it might be a bit much for your players.
I think it's perfect, really. If the party is experienced, they should be able to handle an APL+3 encounter...exactly what a 10 is. Keep in mind, they have all the actions...sure, it'll cause plenty of trouble...that's the idea. :p
If they can't do it alone, maybe it has slaves that are competent, and would turn against it?
Well, yeah, if it's all by itself... And if they player are in fact, experienced.
But I'm assuming the OP is willing to give the BBEG a few minions, otherwise, action economy will be its doom! And those few minions can easily increase the CR to APL+4 or even +5. That's a big deal.
Hush, you, and take credit. :P
It's a great idea, right on target. :)
Hush, you, and take credit. :P
It's a great idea, right on target. :)
Okay, then. ^^
All the players are experienced gamers, all of them have solid characters. APL+3 shouldn't be an issue. I think a raksahsa might well do the trick. Now I need a few reasonably weak minions, I can probably figure that out on my own. thanks!
Glad you like it! Raksashas are master manipulators and even have some mind control spells, IIRC, give it some cool guards with stylish weapons and armor.
Oh, and give it a weird accent... That's always fun! Bonus points if it occasionaly speaks in its own language instead of common. Just say some gibberish and make players and characters wonder what the hell that means. lol