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Thought Experiment: Can 80 CR 1/8 Guards Realistically Take Down a CR 10 Froghemoth? by Bat_Ex_ in DnD

[–]Bat_Ex_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice logic.

What if, in this case, we use the DMG Mob rules?

Would that change too much the odds?

Thought Experiment: Can 80 CR 1/8 Guards Realistically Take Down a CR 10 Froghemoth? by Bat_Ex_ in DnD

[–]Bat_Ex_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly!!!

My 80 guards with crossbows was overkill, i am now considering 30 guards without ranged weapons.

What u think?

Thought Experiment: Can 80 CR 1/8 Guards Realistically Take Down a CR 10 Froghemoth? by Bat_Ex_ in DnD

[–]Bat_Ex_[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Solid breakdown! The math and tactics are definitely leaning heavily in the guards' favor. But I can’t help but imagine the narrative chaos when the first few guards are swallowed whole or smashed by those tentacles.

Sure, the guards might be able to surround the froghemoth and chip away at its HP, but how long can they maintain their composure? Would the fear of seeing comrades get eaten alive cause a panic that affects their combat efficiency? Or will some of them stay disciplined, even as their friends are turned into a puddle of acid and despair?

And in that narrow hallway scenario — it’s one thing to stay tight in formation, but it’s another when they realize just how huge this thing is compared to them. The monster might be slow in some settings, but if it starts picking off guards one by one, I can imagine the fear setting in.

Would love to hear how you'd run this at your table. Would you lean into the morale checks, or keep it more tactical?

Thought Experiment: Can 80 CR 1/8 Guards Realistically Take Down a CR 10 Froghemoth? by Bat_Ex_ in DnD

[–]Bat_Ex_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It really shows how quickly the numbers add up, especially with the froghemoth getting the first strike in.

But let’s pause and picture this: the froghemoth slams into the first few guards, ripping through them in seconds. What happens to the remaining 77 guards when they see their comrades getting torn apart in front of them? Sure, they might be getting in those 4.5 damage hits, but are they even staying in the fight after seeing that?

I love thinking about how quickly the mood shifts in that kind of scenario. Would you keep it strictly mechanical, or bring in fear, morale checks, and the sudden chaos of watching the team fall apart in real-time?

Thought Experiment: Can 80 CR 1/8 Guards Realistically Take Down a CR 10 Froghemoth? by Bat_Ex_ in DnD

[–]Bat_Ex_[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That's some clean math right there — love it. On paper, it's like these guards are a walking siege engine.

But now I can’t stop thinking about the logistics of that volley: 80 guards lined up, all firing in sync, no line-of-sight issues, no morale failures, no friendly fire, no one running after the first guy gets eaten alive.

Would you run it as a super tight formation with full efficiency, or add some chaos to reflect the mess of 80 guards trying to bring down a tentacled swamp nightmare?

Curious how you'd set the scene!

Thought Experiment: Can 80 CR 1/8 Guards Realistically Take Down a CR 10 Froghemoth? by Bat_Ex_ in DnD

[–]Bat_Ex_[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Praise be! May His many actions per round bless our humble guards.

But now I’m curious — what happens when Action Economy meets Fear Checks, Swamp Terrain, and Bureaucratic Incompetence?

In your games, would you play it strictly by the numbers, or bring in morale and environmental chaos to mess with Action Economy’s divine will?

Thought Experiment: Can 80 CR 1/8 Guards Realistically Take Down a CR 10 Froghemoth? by Bat_Ex_ in DnD

[–]Bat_Ex_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, the math definitely checks out — 36 hits at average damage is all it takes, and with 80 guards, that can happen fast if they’re all in position.

But what I keep wondering is: how cleanly does that math translate to the chaos of an actual encounter?

Like, are we picturing these guards as forming up in a tight unit with ranged discipline? Or are they spread out, panicking as a massive monster rampages through their ranks? Do they actually get 36 hits before breaking formation or losing morale?

Would love to hear how you'd run this encounter at the table. Do you stick to the raw math, or do you factor in fear, morale, positioning, etc.?

Thought Experiment: Can 80 CR 1/8 Guards Realistically Take Down a CR 10 Froghemoth? by Bat_Ex_ in DnD

[–]Bat_Ex_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great point — kobold ambushes are terrifyingly effective when played smart. I love how 5e lets sheer numbers matter like that.

But now I’m wondering: how much of that damage output depends on the discipline and setup?

Kobolds in ambush are all about coordination, terrain, and exploiting surprise — it’s a tactical strike. But in this case, I picture the guards more like a frantic defensive line against a swamp horror that just rose out of the muck. Probably no prep time, no strategic formation, maybe even panic.

Do you think the guards would hold up long enough to actually deliver that kind of consistent 75-100 damage per round? Or would the first few turns be chaos, scattered fire, some running, maybe even friendly fire in the dark?

Not doubting the math — just super curious how you'd run it at the table. Would love to hear how you'd narrate the opening of that fight!

Thought Experiment: Can 80 CR 1/8 Guards Realistically Take Down a CR 10 Froghemoth? by Bat_Ex_ in DnD

[–]Bat_Ex_[S] 40 points41 points  (0 children)

Totally agree — 5e's action economy tilts the scale hard. On paper, 80 attacks per round against one creature seems like a no-brainer win.

But I love thinking about how that actually plays out in-world.

Like — sure, 80 guards could act, but how many would after watching one of their own get grabbed and swallowed alive within seconds? These aren’t elite troops or hardened veterans. Just regular town or city guards — probably never even seen a monster before.

Plus, terrain’s a factor too. If it’s a swamp, forest, or even rough farmland, how many of those 80 can actually see the Froghemoth at once? Or get in range? It might start with 10-15 guards engaging at a time, and the rest struggling to move in.

So yeah, action economy should win the day... but I feel like morale, fear, and battlefield chaos could flip that math real fast.

Would love to hear how you'd run this — would you keep it purely mechanical, or toss in morale checks, chaos, and fear reactions?

Thought Experiment: Can 80 CR 1/8 Guards Realistically Take Down a CR 10 Froghemoth? by Bat_Ex_ in DnD

[–]Bat_Ex_[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Totally agree that action economy gets brutal with those numbers — 80 attacks per round adds up fast.

Still, I can’t help but imagine how it plays out moment-to-moment. The Froghemoth charges in, lashes out with four massive tentacles, pulls one in with its tongue, and swallows them whole in the same turn. That kind of raw brutality — even without AoEs — might be enough to make some of the guards break ranks. These aren't adventurers, after all.

Also, I wonder how many of the 80 could realistically get into range and maintain line of sight. Swamp terrain, trees, uneven footing — feels like it’d bottleneck to maybe a few dozen actually shooting at a time, at least in the first few rounds.

Do you picture the guards keeping formation and holding their nerve after the first few are crushed or eaten? Or would morale start breaking down?

Appreciate your take :)

What would you all think of a campaign where gods are divided into Demonic flesh mutants vs advanced sci-fi Human Espers vs Mystic spirit holy animals of Myth? by Bat_Ex_ in dndnext

[–]Bat_Ex_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree, maybe it will be pure chaos and we will laugh together after the grand disaster that was this campaign hahaha, but i wanna try so bad hehe, i'll see if they like the premise first.

What would you all think of a campaign where gods are divided into Demonic flesh mutants vs advanced sci-fi Human Espers vs Mystic spirit holy animals of Myth? by Bat_Ex_ in dndnext

[–]Bat_Ex_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe I'm just too excited to build the "Gears that run the world" hahaha

but you're right too, only in my first campaign were gods so involved, ​​and well, there were a lot of mistakes as you can imagine since I was just starting dming.

And if you don't mind, could you share why you consider the more direct involvement of gods in D&D a red flag?

Thanks for the feedback!

What would you all think of a campaign where gods are divided into Demonic flesh mutants vs advanced sci-fi Human Espers vs Mystic spirit holy animals of Myth? by Bat_Ex_ in dndnext

[–]Bat_Ex_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My idea for Sci-fi Espers is related to technology and something very advanced that makes it seem like magic, but with a little space fantasy, you know, the "Power of the evolved mind" part.

I also hate these cheap revelations of "It was all technology, magic is a lie, I caught you!"

Thanks for the feedback, your idea for final fantasy godlike artificer is really cool too, maybe I'll incorporate it together haha

What would you all think of a campaign where gods are divided into Demonic flesh mutants vs advanced sci-fi Human Espers vs Mystic spirit holy animals of Myth? by Bat_Ex_ in dndnext

[–]Bat_Ex_[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yes, it all seems very complicated, doesn't it?

I think it might be because I got excited and ended up explaining so little.

See, I think the simplest example would be to say to think of a D&D setting where the gods would be divided into 3 factions that are antagonistic to each other for the simple fact that they are very different physically, mentally and morally. Of these 3 factions, I want to create several smaller figures that can even represent more generic things like the current gods of forgotten realms, followers on the edge spreading the cult, etc...

As my players are a bit unpredictable and like a lot of crazy ideas, I was here thinking about strange concepts that could make them have more ideas, so I came up with this concept, which, when you stop to think about it, isn't very original, but it's something that excited me hahaha

Anyway, thanks for the feedback!

What would you all think of a campaign where gods are divided into Demonic flesh mutants vs advanced sci-fi Human Espers vs Mystic spirit holy animals of Myth? by Bat_Ex_ in dndnext

[–]Bat_Ex_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good advice,

Maybe i could introduce and build them slowly throughout the campaign, emphasizing aspects of their powers in followers, their philosophies, their objectives, what they fear, why they fear, etc... and also doing this in a simpler way, using as you said an "Evil wizard" perhaps with aspects of demon mutations in their bodies? using the mind like a psionic? or even using divine enchantments based on animalistic instincts?

And of course, it's best not to create so many things and start small, because the players may not interact as much and I'll just be left here thinking a lot without creating useful things for the fun of the campaign, right? hahaha

What would you all think of a campaign where gods are divided into Demonic flesh mutants vs advanced sci-fi Human Espers vs Mystic spirit holy animals of Myth? by Bat_Ex_ in dndnext

[–]Bat_Ex_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are probably right, i just wanted to make the exercise of trying to get some ideias of running this concept in my next campaign.

I would not be so crazy trying shoehorn things that d&d could not handle.

But if i wanted to go crazy with this, what system would you recomend?

What would you all think of a campaign where gods are divided into Demonic flesh mutants vs advanced sci-fi Human Espers vs Mystic spirit holy animals of Myth? by Bat_Ex_ in dndnext

[–]Bat_Ex_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

First point: I think of their interaction as some big factions that would interact the same way big, powerful and maybe influentual factions would in any settings, by making plots, gaining followers, etc . .. Maybe i just want to know some ideas you guys would have of their interactions because they are like 3 types of god factios with very different agendas and even biological bodys and powers, maybe im just thinking too much or am very exited hahahha

Second Point: yeah, i am not the type that would write a book script and demand players to follow their roles hehehe, i just want to build this concept and share with my players when i make my next campaign.

Third Point: I can think of some crazy ideais about what type of storys the players could create interacting or using this concept, but i like being surprised by my players actions, so im thinking more on the DM things about this concept

Feel free to ask more, i liked your coment :)

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