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As a DM, how to design combat encounter in a stealth mission for a fighter?
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This happened in a multisession one-shot a while ago. It is advertised as a heist mission, thus generally you'll pick rogue and other utility spellcaster that deals with stealth and social interaction. I asked whether there will be combat, and the DM said yes, if you failed your stealth or if the situation calls for it, but all of them can be avoided.
I figured that there will be plenty utility character, but most will not be geared to combat. So, in case rolls gone wrong, I picked a champion fighter, mainly to add durability and as a frontliner. Note that the players picked their own characters without knowing the other characters. They picked all utility spells as wizard and sorcerer, and almost no combat spell or cantrip.
The game involves social interactions to gather information, scouting the treasure room, before finally executing the heist. There are bad rolls, but "fortunately" the heist went rather smoothly. Everyone is happy, but it leaves me slightly disappointed, like I've chosen a wrong character for this mission.
To be clear, I enjoy RP-ing my character during the sessions. However, upon knowing that the other characters are not combat geared, I can't ask my DM (between session) for combat when they roll badly.
I've talked to my DM about this after the game concludes, but he explained that the rest of the party are not suitable for combat, thus he tried to minimize (and actually remove) combat. He doesn't know how to create a combat scene without jeopardizing the rest of the group with TPK. I don't have suggestion either, so I let it slide because the game is already done.
However, I'd like to learn from this situation and prepare when I have such stealth mission with only one combat ready character.
How to design a combat encounter with only one combat ready character, that is a fighter or barbarian (no utility outside combat), without endangering the rest of the group in a stealth mission (like a heist)?
dnd-5e encounter-design
asked 1 hour ago
Vylix
6,51312391
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
This happened in a multisession one-shot a while ago. It is advertised as a heist mission, thus generally you'll pick rogue and other utility spellcaster that deals with stealth and social interaction. I asked whether there will be combat, and the DM said yes, if you failed your stealth or if the situation calls for it, but all of them can be avoided.
I figured that there will be plenty utility character, but most will not be geared to combat. So, in case rolls gone wrong, I picked a champion fighter, mainly to add durability and as a frontliner. Note that the players picked their own characters without knowing the other characters. They picked all utility spells as wizard and sorcerer, and almost no combat spell or cantrip.
The game involves social interactions to gather information, scouting the treasure room, before finally executing the heist. There are bad rolls, but "fortunately" the heist went rather smoothly. Everyone is happy, but it leaves me slightly disappointed, like I've chosen a wrong character for this mission.
To be clear, I enjoy RP-ing my character during the sessions. However, upon knowing that the other characters are not combat geared, I can't ask my DM (between session) for combat when they roll badly.
I've talked to my DM about this after the game concludes, but he explained that the rest of the party are not suitable for combat, thus he tried to minimize (and actually remove) combat. He doesn't know how to create a combat scene without jeopardizing the rest of the group with TPK. I don't have suggestion either, so I let it slide because the game is already done.
However, I'd like to learn from this situation and prepare when I have such stealth mission with only one combat ready character.
How to design a combat encounter with only one combat ready character, that is a fighter or barbarian (no utility outside combat), without endangering the rest of the group in a stealth mission (like a heist)?
dnd-5e encounter-design
asked 1 hour ago
Vylix
6,51312391
2
I would challenge that a Fighter or Barbarian has no utility outside of combat. Being Strong is hecka-useful. Hand them a Crowbar and they can open all sorts of things for you, oppose the party with a Very Heavy Door and the big guy gets called to move it, have isolated guards that need to be stuffed in a closet and your big guy does the tying and stuffing. Having a huge terrifying person looming over your shoulder is all kinds of useful when the Social Tank is trying to Intimidate someone. And so on...
– guildsbounty
40 mins ago
@guildsbounty yes, but brute-forcing usually means a lot of noise that is counterproductive to stealth.
– Vylix
16 mins ago
which is exactly why a smart fantasy vault builder will design the vault with parts that require significant force to bypass. So the 'we are super sneaky' team runs into this heavy stone door and can't budge it...while the actual owner has a couple burly thugs responsible for opening the door for him.
– guildsbounty
10 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
This happened in a multisession one-shot a while ago. It is advertised as a heist mission, thus generally you'll pick rogue and other utility spellcaster that deals with stealth and social interaction. I asked whether there will be combat, and the DM said yes, if you failed your stealth or if the situation calls for it, but all of them can be avoided.
I figured that there will be plenty utility character, but most will not be geared to combat. So, in case rolls gone wrong, I picked a champion fighter, mainly to add durability and as a frontliner. Note that the players picked their own characters without knowing the other characters. They picked all utility spells as wizard and sorcerer, and almost no combat spell or cantrip.
The game involves social interactions to gather information, scouting the treasure room, before finally executing the heist. There are bad rolls, but "fortunately" the heist went rather smoothly. Everyone is happy, but it leaves me slightly disappointed, like I've chosen a wrong character for this mission.
To be clear, I enjoy RP-ing my character during the sessions. However, upon knowing that the other characters are not combat geared, I can't ask my DM (between session) for combat when they roll badly.
I've talked to my DM about this after the game concludes, but he explained that the rest of the party are not suitable for combat, thus he tried to minimize (and actually remove) combat. He doesn't know how to create a combat scene without jeopardizing the rest of the group with TPK. I don't have suggestion either, so I let it slide because the game is already done.
However, I'd like to learn from this situation and prepare when I have such stealth mission with only one combat ready character.
How to design a combat encounter with only one combat ready character, that is a fighter or barbarian (no utility outside combat), without endangering the rest of the group in a stealth mission (like a heist)?
dnd-5e encounter-design
asked 1 hour ago
Vylix
6,51312391
This happened in a multisession one-shot a while ago. It is advertised as a heist mission, thus generally you'll pick rogue and other utility spellcaster that deals with stealth and social interaction. I asked whether there will be combat, and the DM said yes, if you failed your stealth or if the situation calls for it, but all of them can be avoided.
I figured that there will be plenty utility character, but most will not be geared to combat. So, in case rolls gone wrong, I picked a champion fighter, mainly to add durability and as a frontliner. Note that the players picked their own characters without knowing the other characters. They picked all utility spells as wizard and sorcerer, and almost no combat spell or cantrip.
The game involves social interactions to gather information, scouting the treasure room, before finally executing the heist. There are bad rolls, but "fortunately" the heist went rather smoothly. Everyone is happy, but it leaves me slightly disappointed, like I've chosen a wrong character for this mission.
To be clear, I enjoy RP-ing my character during the sessions. However, upon knowing that the other characters are not combat geared, I can't ask my DM (between session) for combat when they roll badly.
I've talked to my DM about this after the game concludes, but he explained that the rest of the party are not suitable for combat, thus he tried to minimize (and actually remove) combat. He doesn't know how to create a combat scene without jeopardizing the rest of the group with TPK. I don't have suggestion either, so I let it slide because the game is already done.
However, I'd like to learn from this situation and prepare when I have such stealth mission with only one combat ready character.
How to design a combat encounter with only one combat ready character, that is a fighter or barbarian (no utility outside combat), without endangering the rest of the group in a stealth mission (like a heist)?
dnd-5e encounter-design
dnd-5e encounter-design
asked 1 hour ago
Vylix
6,51312391
asked 1 hour ago
Vylix
6,51312391
edited 18 mins ago
asked 1 hour ago
Vylix
6,51312391
asked 1 hour ago
Vylix
6,51312391
asked 1 hour ago
Vylix
6,51312391
6,51312391
2
I would challenge that a Fighter or Barbarian has no utility outside of combat. Being Strong is hecka-useful. Hand them a Crowbar and they can open all sorts of things for you, oppose the party with a Very Heavy Door and the big guy gets called to move it, have isolated guards that need to be stuffed in a closet and your big guy does the tying and stuffing. Having a huge terrifying person looming over your shoulder is all kinds of useful when the Social Tank is trying to Intimidate someone. And so on...
– guildsbounty
40 mins ago
@guildsbounty yes, but brute-forcing usually means a lot of noise that is counterproductive to stealth.
– Vylix
16 mins ago
which is exactly why a smart fantasy vault builder will design the vault with parts that require significant force to bypass. So the 'we are super sneaky' team runs into this heavy stone door and can't budge it...while the actual owner has a couple burly thugs responsible for opening the door for him.
– guildsbounty
10 mins ago
add a comment |Â
2
I would challenge that a Fighter or Barbarian has no utility outside of combat. Being Strong is hecka-useful. Hand them a Crowbar and they can open all sorts of things for you, oppose the party with a Very Heavy Door and the big guy gets called to move it, have isolated guards that need to be stuffed in a closet and your big guy does the tying and stuffing. Having a huge terrifying person looming over your shoulder is all kinds of useful when the Social Tank is trying to Intimidate someone. And so on...
– guildsbounty
40 mins ago
@guildsbounty yes, but brute-forcing usually means a lot of noise that is counterproductive to stealth.
– Vylix
16 mins ago
which is exactly why a smart fantasy vault builder will design the vault with parts that require significant force to bypass. So the 'we are super sneaky' team runs into this heavy stone door and can't budge it...while the actual owner has a couple burly thugs responsible for opening the door for him.
– guildsbounty
10 mins ago
2
2
I would challenge that a Fighter or Barbarian has no utility outside of combat. Being Strong is hecka-useful. Hand them a Crowbar and they can open all sorts of things for you, oppose the party with a Very Heavy Door and the big guy gets called to move it, have isolated guards that need to be stuffed in a closet and your big guy does the tying and stuffing. Having a huge terrifying person looming over your shoulder is all kinds of useful when the Social Tank is trying to Intimidate someone. And so on...
– guildsbounty
40 mins ago
I would challenge that a Fighter or Barbarian has no utility outside of combat. Being Strong is hecka-useful. Hand them a Crowbar and they can open all sorts of things for you, oppose the party with a Very Heavy Door and the big guy gets called to move it, have isolated guards that need to be stuffed in a closet and your big guy does the tying and stuffing. Having a huge terrifying person looming over your shoulder is all kinds of useful when the Social Tank is trying to Intimidate someone. And so on...
– guildsbounty
40 mins ago
@guildsbounty yes, but brute-forcing usually means a lot of noise that is counterproductive to stealth.
– Vylix
16 mins ago
@guildsbounty yes, but brute-forcing usually means a lot of noise that is counterproductive to stealth.
– Vylix
16 mins ago
which is exactly why a smart fantasy vault builder will design the vault with parts that require significant force to bypass. So the 'we are super sneaky' team runs into this heavy stone door and can't budge it...while the actual owner has a couple burly thugs responsible for opening the door for him.
– guildsbounty
10 mins ago
which is exactly why a smart fantasy vault builder will design the vault with parts that require significant force to bypass. So the 'we are super sneaky' team runs into this heavy stone door and can't budge it...while the actual owner has a couple burly thugs responsible for opening the door for him.
– guildsbounty
10 mins ago
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
There's a problem in that the fighter can't be up-front without compromising party stealth. Possible ways to handle that include:
Suggest that the players should bring a multi-classed fighter, who can be stealthy, although he'll be limited in what armour he can use on the mission.
A mission where the fighter has a legitimate reason for being openly present, and only starts helping the rest of the party if they get spotted.
A mission where the best way to make the intrusion easy is to have a very loud distraction nearby. Many players will enjoy the need to be loud and obvious, probably drunken, maybe riotous. Just don't kill or cripple anyone, and try not to get thrown in the drunk tank, because people may well figure out afterwards that you were a deliberate distraction.
answered 47 mins ago
John Dallman
9,63712952
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Dexterity-Based Fighters are Viable
Breastplate is a type of medium armor that is highly protective and does not cause disadvantage on Stealth Checks- The Fighter can get proficiency in Stealth from their background, making them almost as good as a Rogue at being sneaky
- Finesse Weapons like Shortswords or Rapiers will allow them to remain competitive in their damage output, even if not quite as good as a Strength-based Fighter
- You can still give them a high Strength Score if you think it will be useful
- An Eldritch Knight will have the ability to turn Invisible after level 7, if they swap out their non-school-restricted spell at that time into Invisibility.
So you definitely have options if you want to be a Fighter participating meaningfully in a Stealth Mission.
answered 29 mins ago
Xirema
7,3951955
The question asks from the DM side, rather than from the player (designing a combat encounter). Could you tweak your answer to include suggestion for the DM?
– Vylix
15 mins ago
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
There's a problem in that the fighter can't be up-front without compromising party stealth. Possible ways to handle that include:
Suggest that the players should bring a multi-classed fighter, who can be stealthy, although he'll be limited in what armour he can use on the mission.
A mission where the fighter has a legitimate reason for being openly present, and only starts helping the rest of the party if they get spotted.
A mission where the best way to make the intrusion easy is to have a very loud distraction nearby. Many players will enjoy the need to be loud and obvious, probably drunken, maybe riotous. Just don't kill or cripple anyone, and try not to get thrown in the drunk tank, because people may well figure out afterwards that you were a deliberate distraction.
answered 47 mins ago
John Dallman
9,63712952
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
There's a problem in that the fighter can't be up-front without compromising party stealth. Possible ways to handle that include:
Suggest that the players should bring a multi-classed fighter, who can be stealthy, although he'll be limited in what armour he can use on the mission.
A mission where the fighter has a legitimate reason for being openly present, and only starts helping the rest of the party if they get spotted.
A mission where the best way to make the intrusion easy is to have a very loud distraction nearby. Many players will enjoy the need to be loud and obvious, probably drunken, maybe riotous. Just don't kill or cripple anyone, and try not to get thrown in the drunk tank, because people may well figure out afterwards that you were a deliberate distraction.
answered 47 mins ago
John Dallman
9,63712952
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
There's a problem in that the fighter can't be up-front without compromising party stealth. Possible ways to handle that include:
Suggest that the players should bring a multi-classed fighter, who can be stealthy, although he'll be limited in what armour he can use on the mission.
A mission where the fighter has a legitimate reason for being openly present, and only starts helping the rest of the party if they get spotted.
A mission where the best way to make the intrusion easy is to have a very loud distraction nearby. Many players will enjoy the need to be loud and obvious, probably drunken, maybe riotous. Just don't kill or cripple anyone, and try not to get thrown in the drunk tank, because people may well figure out afterwards that you were a deliberate distraction.
answered 47 mins ago
John Dallman
9,63712952
There's a problem in that the fighter can't be up-front without compromising party stealth. Possible ways to handle that include:
Suggest that the players should bring a multi-classed fighter, who can be stealthy, although he'll be limited in what armour he can use on the mission.
A mission where the fighter has a legitimate reason for being openly present, and only starts helping the rest of the party if they get spotted.
A mission where the best way to make the intrusion easy is to have a very loud distraction nearby. Many players will enjoy the need to be loud and obvious, probably drunken, maybe riotous. Just don't kill or cripple anyone, and try not to get thrown in the drunk tank, because people may well figure out afterwards that you were a deliberate distraction.
answered 47 mins ago
John Dallman
9,63712952
edited 40 mins ago
answered 47 mins ago
John Dallman
9,63712952
answered 47 mins ago
John Dallman
9,63712952
answered 47 mins ago
John Dallman
9,63712952
9,63712952
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Dexterity-Based Fighters are Viable
Breastplate is a type of medium armor that is highly protective and does not cause disadvantage on Stealth Checks- The Fighter can get proficiency in Stealth from their background, making them almost as good as a Rogue at being sneaky
- Finesse Weapons like Shortswords or Rapiers will allow them to remain competitive in their damage output, even if not quite as good as a Strength-based Fighter
- You can still give them a high Strength Score if you think it will be useful
- An Eldritch Knight will have the ability to turn Invisible after level 7, if they swap out their non-school-restricted spell at that time into Invisibility.
So you definitely have options if you want to be a Fighter participating meaningfully in a Stealth Mission.
answered 29 mins ago
Xirema
7,3951955
The question asks from the DM side, rather than from the player (designing a combat encounter). Could you tweak your answer to include suggestion for the DM?
– Vylix
15 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Dexterity-Based Fighters are Viable
Breastplate is a type of medium armor that is highly protective and does not cause disadvantage on Stealth Checks- The Fighter can get proficiency in Stealth from their background, making them almost as good as a Rogue at being sneaky
- Finesse Weapons like Shortswords or Rapiers will allow them to remain competitive in their damage output, even if not quite as good as a Strength-based Fighter
- You can still give them a high Strength Score if you think it will be useful
- An Eldritch Knight will have the ability to turn Invisible after level 7, if they swap out their non-school-restricted spell at that time into Invisibility.
So you definitely have options if you want to be a Fighter participating meaningfully in a Stealth Mission.
answered 29 mins ago
Xirema
7,3951955
The question asks from the DM side, rather than from the player (designing a combat encounter). Could you tweak your answer to include suggestion for the DM?
– Vylix
15 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Dexterity-Based Fighters are Viable
Breastplate is a type of medium armor that is highly protective and does not cause disadvantage on Stealth Checks- The Fighter can get proficiency in Stealth from their background, making them almost as good as a Rogue at being sneaky
- Finesse Weapons like Shortswords or Rapiers will allow them to remain competitive in their damage output, even if not quite as good as a Strength-based Fighter
- You can still give them a high Strength Score if you think it will be useful
- An Eldritch Knight will have the ability to turn Invisible after level 7, if they swap out their non-school-restricted spell at that time into Invisibility.
So you definitely have options if you want to be a Fighter participating meaningfully in a Stealth Mission.
answered 29 mins ago
Xirema
7,3951955
Dexterity-Based Fighters are Viable
Breastplate is a type of medium armor that is highly protective and does not cause disadvantage on Stealth Checks- The Fighter can get proficiency in Stealth from their background, making them almost as good as a Rogue at being sneaky
- Finesse Weapons like Shortswords or Rapiers will allow them to remain competitive in their damage output, even if not quite as good as a Strength-based Fighter
- You can still give them a high Strength Score if you think it will be useful
- An Eldritch Knight will have the ability to turn Invisible after level 7, if they swap out their non-school-restricted spell at that time into Invisibility.
So you definitely have options if you want to be a Fighter participating meaningfully in a Stealth Mission.
answered 29 mins ago
Xirema
7,3951955
answered 29 mins ago
Xirema
7,3951955
answered 29 mins ago
Xirema
7,3951955
answered 29 mins ago
Xirema
7,3951955
7,3951955
The question asks from the DM side, rather than from the player (designing a combat encounter). Could you tweak your answer to include suggestion for the DM?
– Vylix
15 mins ago
add a comment |Â
The question asks from the DM side, rather than from the player (designing a combat encounter). Could you tweak your answer to include suggestion for the DM?
– Vylix
15 mins ago
The question asks from the DM side, rather than from the player (designing a combat encounter). Could you tweak your answer to include suggestion for the DM?
– Vylix
15 mins ago
The question asks from the DM side, rather than from the player (designing a combat encounter). Could you tweak your answer to include suggestion for the DM?
– Vylix
15 mins ago
add a comment |Â
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2
I would challenge that a Fighter or Barbarian has no utility outside of combat. Being Strong is hecka-useful. Hand them a Crowbar and they can open all sorts of things for you, oppose the party with a Very Heavy Door and the big guy gets called to move it, have isolated guards that need to be stuffed in a closet and your big guy does the tying and stuffing. Having a huge terrifying person looming over your shoulder is all kinds of useful when the Social Tank is trying to Intimidate someone. And so on...
– guildsbounty
40 mins ago
@guildsbounty yes, but brute-forcing usually means a lot of noise that is counterproductive to stealth.
– Vylix
16 mins ago
which is exactly why a smart fantasy vault builder will design the vault with parts that require significant force to bypass. So the 'we are super sneaky' team runs into this heavy stone door and can't budge it...while the actual owner has a couple burly thugs responsible for opening the door for him.
– guildsbounty
10 mins ago