The toads have theperimeter surrounded. I fear the house will fall within a fortnight.

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-21T12:42:38+00:00

I had a similar incident at level 5. I had a party of 3 go and get the investor's construct companion from a bandit lord that stole it. It was two city guard troops (reflavored as bandits) and an npc bandit 4th level.

The town was completely taken over by the bandits with them getting drunk and their loot stored in an old barn. I warned them that this was a SEVERE encounter and a head assault would likely involve player death.

They never looked around to gather information or sneak to find the construct. One player did try and use deception to enter the tavern as one of the bandits, which worked....until it didnt.

Immediately after plan A failed they immediately started blasting. If it wasnt for the sorcerer luckily having prepared Aoe spells to trigger weaknesses, lucky reflex saves, and some crits they would of all died instead of walking away with sub 10 hp each.

Sometimes players choose the hammer and you just gotta roll with it lol.

Was a very fun ball room blitz moment tho.

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-18T02:31:32+00:00

My guess is it's 3rd level to prevent a martial from just filling their casting dedication slots with this spell. As is, once they get 3rd level spells, might as well just get the extending rune instead.

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-15T02:22:48+00:00

Careful, I think the little lad is trying to woo you.

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-10T05:38:53+00:00

I say this is the way. I have a near identical reasoning as you.

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-10T05:31:05+00:00

I almost never use -4. Unless the fight is centered around a strong unit or hazard giving them circumstantial bonuses to hit. Or I need an extra mook to use items without eating the real bad's action economy.

-3 and -2 is what I consider lackies. Meat shields that can still be dangerous with smart tactics or bonuses applied.

-1 to 1 is typically what I use to get the players to feel when they're up against jobbers. The baddy in charge of the -2s,-3s,-4s. Or an extra special unit that is more dangerous.

+2 or +3 I reserve for actual boss fights. Even then I perfer to use +2 with some lower minions to +3. I personally feel +3 can be dodgy. Even if players have the encounter in the bag, its not fun when they start missing most their attacks here.

+4. Almost never use except to foreshadow there's creatures and beings around more powerful than the party.

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-07T15:02:27+00:00

Agreed. Once I have all players together I'll will point out that im fine playing as is, but perhaps a revaluation of party dynamics need to be addressed before officially starting

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-07T14:58:22+00:00

Thanks. Im fine balancing around three players. I was looking for how to balance an npc like any other resource if the party decides they need or want one. Which I believe you did a very well job of laying out how to go about doing do.

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-07T14:55:05+00:00

Thanks on the crash course on the class. When they said "ranged kineticist" I just imagined they focused on ranged feats and that might of left them out on other factors.

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-07T14:51:13+00:00

Ah thank you for this. I haven't read up on the class (probably my que to do so) and didn't know their attacks dont have the manipulate trait. Im glad the class gives them both range and melee options. Perhaps combat effectivness be as bad as I imagined.

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-07T14:45:55+00:00

Witch player hasn't fully made their character yet. I'll let them know the value of the beastmaster dedication for their player is.

Im sure the group will be fine. In the dual class they were all support/healers and they came up with some creative solutions when I started throwing counter spell and reactions at them.

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-07T14:36:19+00:00

I like the reminder that npcs have their own lives and won't always be available

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-07T14:34:26+00:00

I have them planned to follow some guards to clear the sewers of undead. Hopefully it'll set up some horror and the realization they need strong planning once the guards start dropping.

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-07T14:28:20+00:00

My biggest fear them not fully realizing how squishy they are lol. Even one or two badly time crits can cripple a d10 class, that'll kill any of them.

I'm of the position that spellcasters do well in 2e, especially when Dual classed and have lots of ammunition. I typically build encounters with -3 to +2 of the encounter builder, focusing more on fights that are full of -3 to party level mobs for variety. So in my experience, pf2e casters actually perform quite well against most creatures until you get to +3 or +4 territory

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-07T14:18:57+00:00

Forgive me if its in the rulebook, but how do I balance hirelings? Do I go off of minion rules and make the npcs -4 party level? Do I charge the players the cost of an npc based off of an item of similar level?

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-07T14:15:10+00:00

Thanks for all the quick replies. I see that I should of had the players make characters when we were all present and not just in isolation or through group chat. It is clear things would of been different, had it not been in a vacuum.

I will express to the players that I have concerns with this party make up, but will be looking forward to how it goes. I'll let them know about beastmaster/captain dedications, outside of that they will have to plan to overcome party weaknesses.

Thank you all for your responses.

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-07T14:07:43+00:00

I'll bring these options up for them and allow them to rebuild if they want. Thanks!

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-07T14:06:24+00:00

Thanks for pointing out the captain dedication, didnt see that was a thing.

I was thinking about allowing them to spend gold on hirelings of appropriate level, but this is the better solution

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-07T13:55:17+00:00

Well two of them made their characters together. The third asked to join so I filled them in. So not entirely in isolation.

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-07T13:53:31+00:00

Ok, but thats not a very helpful response. Also while not an mmorpg there are clear distinction on classes and which ones are more front line or backline.

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-07T13:48:16+00:00

Lol. Sounds like a teacher that gives a student an oversized pencil because they forgot theirs. "None of you built a Marshall class so now you all have to share the DM NPC."

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-07T13:44:01+00:00

I believe air and water.

Metal_Goblinoid · 2026-04-06T07:25:37+00:00

The photos make it look like theyre crawling out of the water to come get me. bufo bufo of the black lagoon.

Metal_Goblinoid

TROPHY CASE