Monster Melee - Town Guards vs. Ettin

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  • Опубліковано 13 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 447

  • @luizaugusto6532
    @luizaugusto6532 4 місяці тому +472

    Seeing the common men overcoming impossible odds is just fucking heroic. I want to see the surviving guards comeback for more as seasoned veterans!

    • @BrutalOslaugh95
      @BrutalOslaugh95 4 місяці тому +32

      Level them up too!

    • @TheHighestNoon
      @TheHighestNoon 4 місяці тому +14

      So you... want to watch a game of D&D? Lol. I recommed Path of the Yeti.

    •  4 місяці тому +12

      @@TheHighestNoon
      You can choose to add extra hit dies to monsters when they become your companions as an option from tasha (sidekick rules).
      They could be strengthened in simmiliar way.

    • @skrumbleton3745
      @skrumbleton3745 4 місяці тому +8

      I think the original comment was just referring to the literal ‘veteran’ stat block, but the Tasha’s sidekicks are cool

    • @slimeboi1070
      @slimeboi1070 4 місяці тому +3

      Maybe you should put a spoiler warning

  • @salgarellius7434
    @salgarellius7434 4 місяці тому +289

    Elmar is a tank!!! He sustained 2 hits. And he is an older fella as esper said, I think he deserves a story video and a level in fighter

  • @sgtflintlock6904
    @sgtflintlock6904 4 місяці тому +164

    The named guards really made this for me. It took it from "oh the guards have this pretty easy just from an action economy standpoint" to "oh no! How many of them will survive? How many brothers will they lose to repel this menace?"

    • @EcoInstant
      @EcoInstant 4 місяці тому

      This is the beauty and the brilliance, agreed

  • @osvaldoprado9906
    @osvaldoprado9906 4 місяці тому +76

    Elmar managed to block the ettin's attack with his shield TWICE. What a legend, he deserves a surname like "Elmar strong-arm" or something like that.

  • @purplehaze2358
    @purplehaze2358 4 місяці тому +135

    I went into this thinking "these poor guards don't deserve this".
    I came out thinking "that damn ettin _absolutely_ deserved that".

    • @Gashren
      @Gashren 4 місяці тому +3

      That's what he gets for being too stupid to run when losing.

    • @mitchsch.1
      @mitchsch.1 4 місяці тому +3

      No matter how tough a single creature is (within reason), it is very difficult to fight against 10 actions... There's just way too many attacks per round coming at it. Without AOE, this was over before it started.

  • @yungminiwheat1406
    @yungminiwheat1406 4 місяці тому +172

    Blackguards led by a Death Knight vs War Priests led by a Planetar for a biblically awesome battle

    • @rememberstayangry2366
      @rememberstayangry2366 4 місяці тому +15

      Along that theme I would rather do a Death Knight riding a Nightmare vs a level appropriate group of 4 to 5 paladins.

    • @Houster1000
      @Houster1000 4 місяці тому +1

      This yes.

    • @josephvaccariello4181
      @josephvaccariello4181 4 місяці тому +1

      Tbh the planetar is a good bit stronger then the death knight the thing is blackgaurds are actually stupidly powerful for their cr whoever made them was out of their mind they have 18 ac with a 150 hp pool and attack 3 times a round + they remembered to give them a ranged attack as well as other abilites. In the 1v1 the planetar takes it easilly and tbh with cover and a lucky sneak they can prob just disarm grapple drag one of them away from the others or strait up while they look for it leaving them at its mercy and they die 2 rounds later from the multi

  • @Evulchair
    @Evulchair 4 місяці тому +131

    I love the naming for the guards, this is great!
    Edit: and the added lore, love it!

    • @esperthebard
      @esperthebard  4 місяці тому +26

      Thank you! Because of those small details, I actually ended up liking this one the best so far.

    • @Evulchair
      @Evulchair 4 місяці тому +3

      @@esperthebard I could tell you enjoyed it too, looking forward to the next one!
      Do you take homemade monsters as well?

    • @jaydencrooks5064
      @jaydencrooks5064 4 місяці тому +1

      ​​@@esperthebardI would love to see Elmar in later vids maybe with a player level fighting against more giants

  • @josem.1811
    @josem.1811 4 місяці тому +57

    I absolutely love how this are battles that are totally posible in the Forgotten Realms, this is not just random creatures vs random creatures but fights between creatures that makes sense to be happening. I totally see a hungry Ettin being stopped by the guards in his way to devour all the cattle of a village

  • @markusnixon3156
    @markusnixon3156 4 місяці тому +54

    I love the idea of just "towns guards vs," it could be so fun to just roleplay a town that just keeps getting attacked by stranger and stranger monsters, my next recommendation is a Minotaur skeleton or two. 😄

    • @Thorngot
      @Thorngot 4 місяці тому +4

      Sounds like a good, reliable setting for weekly meetup one-shots, throw away characters, and casual D&D combat.

    • @poisonisFunguy182
      @poisonisFunguy182 4 місяці тому +1

      Yea, this video inspired me to boot up my own little private server where I have set up a regiment of guards defending a town. It won't always be the entire ensemble of, but if a guard manages to survive long enough or accomplishes a significant achievement I have them taken out of the town for a bit and then promoted as higher CR unit to rejoin the town. I also have events on certain defenses where if the guards manage to not only dispose of the threat, but defend someone that person may come back in the future to help the town, whether it is temporarily or permanently... For instance if the guards manage to defend an apprentice with commoner stats that apprentice may come back later as a spellcaster.
      Ultimately the goal is for things to get more and more dangerous and see how long the town survives

    • @hoglump-orcbutler1427
      @hoglump-orcbutler1427 4 місяці тому +1

      Town guard vs. Unending zombie horde, a desperate last stand feat. These surviving guards who've gained a level.

  • @singingcrow439
    @singingcrow439 4 місяці тому +28

    This is also a good example of action economy. Something every dm should keep in mind for both combat and story.

    • @BillyBasd
      @BillyBasd 4 місяці тому +6

      Hear hear!!
      Also how cr is broken. I'm probably calculating wrong but
      10 1/8 cr guards = 1 1/4 cr
      Vs
      1 5 cr ettin
      Leads one to believe the ettin wins
      Two attacks vs ten per round leads one to believe the more attacks win

    • @andrecosta8680
      @andrecosta8680 4 місяці тому +2

      I thought the same thing, action economy and bounded accuracy rule

    • @BuddhaMonkey7
      @BuddhaMonkey7 4 місяці тому

      @@BillyBasd Have to remember to multiply the CR based on the number of combatants. With that the guards come out to a CR 3. So the CR system does seem to underestimate the impact of numbers in this situation, but not by quite that much.

  • @JinZanmato
    @JinZanmato 4 місяці тому +46

    MVP Elmar! He most certainly gained one extra level after this. 👏

  • @RachDarastrix2
    @RachDarastrix2 4 місяці тому +21

    Police Officer: "My job sucks. I had to deal with the same guy 80 times in 1 year. Once he charged me with a machete, once he charged me with an axe, once he had a AK-47, and once he even had a flame thrower. I kept arresting him and they kept bailing him out!"
    Town Guard: "Ha! I fought an Ettin!"

  • @patrickowens4688
    @patrickowens4688 4 місяці тому +15

    What a fantastic video. Makes me feel like one of those guards could become a player character later in life. Being a survivor of an ettin attack, and part of the group that took it down, is a great backstory for a level 1 fighter.

  • @chazzle3459
    @chazzle3459 4 місяці тому +8

    The names and individual icons for the guards added a lot. I felt more invested in their struggle against an insurmountable foe.

  • @christopherhegarty1565
    @christopherhegarty1565 4 місяці тому +42

    This series gets me so hype everytime i see a new video posted

  • @NWLR-tv
    @NWLR-tv 4 місяці тому +56

    A pack of Gnolls vs a group of Orcs would be neat to see, maybe a 5v5

    • @alexinfinite7142
      @alexinfinite7142 4 місяці тому +3

      I feel like that'll get wild quick. Both have crazy speed in a fight

    • @Nemchick
      @Nemchick 4 місяці тому +1

      Do they have the same challenge rating?

    • @rowanfroese8577
      @rowanfroese8577 4 місяці тому +2

      All different types

    • @Mordring
      @Mordring 4 місяці тому +1

      @@Nemchick
      Basic gnoll: CR 1/2, AC 15, HP 22, speed 30', spear (+4 to hit, 1d6+2 or 1d8+2 if held with both hands, but that would drop AC to 13, losing the 2 from the shield) and longbow (range 150/600 +3 to hit, 1d8+1), Rampage (bonus action extra 15' movement followed by bite attack: +4 to hit, 1d4+2 after dropping someone to 0HP)
      Basic orc: CR 1/2, AC 13, HP 15, speed 30', greataxe (+5 to hit, 1d12+3) and javelin (range 30/120 +5 to hit, 1d6+3), Aggressive (extra dash towards a hostile creature as bonus action).
      From that comparison, gnolls have the advantage of range. At the typical distance of these battles (60') they could move back full 30' and still shoot their longbows without disadvantage. Orcs, if they wanted to attack without disadvantage, would have to charge in and throw their javelins, then they could potentially close the distance in their next turn. Alternatively, they could forfeit the throw and just use full 90' to close the gap immediately. In melee orcs have offensive superiority (slightly bigger hit chance and massive damage with greataxes: average of 9) but are less tanky with lower AC (unless a gnoll is still holding a bow or forfeits the shield for stronger attack) and HP. Also, every fallen orc is a potential 1d4+2 extra damage as a BA for a gnoll.
      That fight really would be quite even and interesting to witness. A lot would depend on the initiative. If the orcs go first, they can immediately close the distance and start chopping in their first turn. On the other hand, should gnolls go first, they could delay the connection by moving back and shooting, which, with 5 average and 9 maximum longbow damage, could take down an orc in 2-3 good shots.

    • @AbstractTraitorHero
      @AbstractTraitorHero 4 місяці тому

      @@Mordring I feel thats not the first thought of most gnolls doh.

  • @markusnixon3156
    @markusnixon3156 4 місяці тому +18

    Elmar for new Guard Captain of Fjarlstead! o7

  • @dizzykincade7831
    @dizzykincade7831 4 місяці тому +6

    Esper, you’re such a good dude, and I guarantee that we’re polar opposites in so many ways, but you have a kind soul and it blows my mind that you don’t have at least 500k subs. I love DnD content and your at the tops of all my “heroes”
    👊

  • @lilbroomstick8141
    @lilbroomstick8141 4 місяці тому +10

    Hail to our fallen heroes. Andre, Magnus, Sebastian, and Timo fought bravely to protect their home and its people. May they be honored in the afterlife.

  • @badideagenerator2315
    @badideagenerator2315 4 місяці тому +9

    Thugs vs bandits and their captain, 2 rival Thieve's guilds skirmishing in the streets to secure their hold over a city.

  • @josephstrassfield7921
    @josephstrassfield7921 4 місяці тому +10

    Favorite fight so far!

  • @Stratplayer05
    @Stratplayer05 4 місяці тому +3

    This one was the best in a lot of ways. It had a nice asymmetric quality to it, and the built-in lore really made it more of a story to get invested in.

  • @TwoKnowingRavens
    @TwoKnowingRavens 4 місяці тому +12

    I think I played out this exact scenario as a hook for my players to assist the guards (only 6 guards acting as a highway patrol from the nearby town) and my players just stood by and watched them all get splattered then killed the weakened Ettin and stole all the guards armor and weapons as well as the meager Ettin loot.
    I got revenge on the players for their evil deeds by having the smith in the next town over recognize the armor and weapons when they tried to pawn it. (It was the smith who made the guards armor and weapons). The party ended up in jail and one of them got his fingers bitten off by the smiths dog when he pulled a knife on him.

  • @nonemo138
    @nonemo138 4 місяці тому +5

    Loved this! Those guards are never gonna pay for a beer again in their lives.

  • @spyclops6160
    @spyclops6160 4 місяці тому +8

    I really like this series, it helps me as a dm to understand combat situations from the side of NPC's

    • @valiantgm
      @valiantgm 3 місяці тому

      Same! I’m getting really inspired by this!

  • @Nom2421
    @Nom2421 4 місяці тому +10

    Interesting to see how scaling goes with low AC and high health vs a high number of attack roles.
    I also assumed this battle would be close, but it ended up feeling like the Ettin would have needed almost double its current health or a barbarian's resistance to have any hope of success. I guess the AC of 12 means it is essentially 8d6(28average) worth of damage every round until at least 3 guardsmen are dead (the math checks out exactly once the soldiers no longer roll with disadvantage)... Actually yeah this creature had no chance at all, crazy how stats can deceive until seen in practice.

    • @esperthebard
      @esperthebard  4 місяці тому +8

      The guards rolled really good on their attacks, even when they had disadvantage. They were filled with fierceness from having to defend their home!

    • @Nom2421
      @Nom2421 4 місяці тому +4

      @@esperthebard The night-watch strikes true!

    • @BillyBasd
      @BillyBasd 4 місяці тому +2

      The guards need a 9 to hit, so average 5.5 hits per round. That's about 25 damage per round.
      The ettin was less likely to hit, I think +5 to hit against ac16. That's 45% chance to hit each attack,
      Action economy and ac gives it to the guards
      Very entertaining

  • @christopherkimseyjr7424
    @christopherkimseyjr7424 4 місяці тому +25

    I would absolutely love to see a lich fight another powerful spellcaster, or even some demon lords make an appearance

    • @esperthebard
      @esperthebard  4 місяці тому +8

      Those are on the to-do list ;)

    • @MrDavidKord
      @MrDavidKord 4 місяці тому +1

      Two Archmages vs a Lich would be wild.

    • @czeslawpi
      @czeslawpi 4 місяці тому

      @@MrDavidKordit would be a squash match. One mage attacks and the other just counters anything the Lich does.

    • @MrDavidKord
      @MrDavidKord 4 місяці тому

      @@czeslawpi The Lich has multiple legendary actions and attacks that aren't spell-based. It would keep up in action economy.

  • @navarrjenkinz
    @navarrjenkinz 4 місяці тому +11

    I think these surviving guards need to be promoted to knights for a future video👀

  • @Samaru163
    @Samaru163 4 місяці тому +6

    These surviving guards definitely neeed to come back as stronger NPCs. Like, Elmar's age and skill at avoiding attacks makes him perfect material for a Veteran, and Isaak could make for a sick knight.

  • @GeneBrodeJr
    @GeneBrodeJr 4 місяці тому +1

    I almost spewed my tea onto my monitor when Isaak cried out, "Noooo Sebastian!" I love your sound effects man. Good stuff.

  • @tqbrowne
    @tqbrowne 4 місяці тому +1

    This is so cool, Esper. It has that very approachable, casual-friendly appeal that works so well for UA-cam!

  • @Daves_Not_Here_Man_76
    @Daves_Not_Here_Man_76 4 місяці тому +11

    40 Tucker's Kobolds vs. 4 level 20 standard party.

  • @maxime2445
    @maxime2445 4 місяці тому +2

    I think it'd be cool to have tougher guards in these matches. Like maybe big towns guard, that may have a veteran or knight as the guard captain, or maybe a city guard having a gladiator or something

  • @ArcadianHobGob
    @ArcadianHobGob 4 місяці тому +5

    I just wish there was 100 hours of this to listen to 😢

  • @fjs7655
    @fjs7655 4 місяці тому +3

    This is my favorite thing on UA-cam right now.

  • @hansel57
    @hansel57 4 місяці тому +2

    Remember the fallen! This sort of stories are what's behind that one grizzly guard that seems more hardened than the rest. Love it!

  • @jinxtheunluckypony
    @jinxtheunluckypony 4 місяці тому +4

    I love the bit of narrative that you put into this.

  • @adventurer3288
    @adventurer3288 4 місяці тому +17

    Let it be known, the survivors are getting class levels (or maybe only Isaak)

    • @caninehat6589
      @caninehat6589 4 місяці тому

      Elmar certainly deserves something as well

  • @jcmadcat82
    @jcmadcat82 4 місяці тому +1

    Thanks for this series. My son is just getting into d&d, and we're really enjoying them

    • @esperthebard
      @esperthebard  4 місяці тому +1

      Thank you! I'm glad you two are enjoying the videos!

  • @GrimHeaperThe
    @GrimHeaperThe 4 місяці тому +3

    Action economy and bounded accuracy showing itself this match.

  • @mcdylster6678
    @mcdylster6678 4 місяці тому +3

    This is such a fun series. Idk why I haven't seen anyone else doing stuff like this.
    You should do the classic Vampire versus a pack of werewolves. I'm curious how a Vampire would manage to take on a pack.

    • @thurismundbotheric7598
      @thurismundbotheric7598 4 місяці тому

      I wanna see a good stat block for an alpha first, but I definitely agree that we should see some classic rivalries like this

    • @LoarvicLoarvic
      @LoarvicLoarvic 4 місяці тому

      Vampire's attacks aren't magical. Even if they were, he'll be torn apart, unless...unless he grapples a werewolf and flies high in the air, vertically, then drops his rivalry.

  • @raytheerudite5252
    @raytheerudite5252 4 місяці тому +3

    I really like the story element being developed a bit.

  • @ChuckingDice
    @ChuckingDice 4 місяці тому +4

    This combat reminds me of a Dungeon Crawl Classic battle. Many deaths, but lower level characters coming out on top to see another day.

  • @phrikaphrak40k
    @phrikaphrak40k 3 місяці тому +1

    “And with a sickening crack, Isaak’s mace turns the Ettin’s patella into bonemeal, crumpling the beast to the ground!”

    • @redfaux74
      @redfaux74 Місяць тому

      I'd like to see Isaak transform into a Ranger.
      His courage is growing.

  • @thurismundbotheric7598
    @thurismundbotheric7598 4 місяці тому +3

    There are 2 battles I wanna see personally...
    1. A squad of Bearded Devils vs a small horde of lesser demons. Since we already say two high-end fiends go at it, I wanna see the other end to show a more typical Blood War Encounter.
    2. The Ultimate Familiar Battle Royale between Imp, Quasit, Sprite, Pseudodragon, and Gazer to see who stands at the top as the ultimate familiar.

  • @m3w
    @m3w 4 місяці тому +3

    This is your best series ever.

  • @saxypirate9414
    @saxypirate9414 4 місяці тому +2

    This series is the best, keep it going my dude! I'd love a 3v3 dragon battle

  • @briceking669
    @briceking669 4 місяці тому +6

    Guard would be like "yeah, I don't get paid enough for this shit"

  • @Braley21
    @Braley21 4 місяці тому +2

    I dont even play dnd and now i gotta go learn about monsters to suggest because these videos rock!

  • @Thyme2GreenHorn
    @Thyme2GreenHorn 4 місяці тому +1

    It would be fun seeing all the different characters in a village forced to band together for their survival e.g) An adventurer staying in the tavern, farmers, inn keeper, laborer's, guards, ruffians, women, children, village wise man, village white witch, a beggar, travelling entertainers etc. There could be a traitor from the village who works with the evil boss for the promise of greater power, let's the monsters in and then joins them in battle.

  • @jakewarman7277
    @jakewarman7277 4 місяці тому +2

    Love the concept makes me think 100 cobalts can take down an ancient dragon with slings, a note about the sound in the video, at the end the music was very loud I like rock music but it was a major surprise as it was about one and a half to two times you're speaking voices volume and was abruptly after you speaking. Over another great video just a small critique.

  • @deepspaghett6446
    @deepspaghett6446 4 місяці тому +3

    Awesome battle. Loving this series and would love to see more. I thought it would be cool to see something like a battle between a Minotaur and a Knight or a group of lower cr people like in this video. A battle akin to Theseus and the Labyrinth, where the hero/heroes have to try to either slay the monster or escape from its lair.

  • @RexiousX
    @RexiousX 4 місяці тому +1

    This is excellent. Really enjoying these battles.
    Some Suggestions:
    1) Minotaur vs Lizardmen
    2) Dwarves vs Goblins
    3) Giant Eagle vs Stirges
    4) Troll vs Fire Imps
    5) Lich (& army) vs Paladins & Clerics

  • @manusauce2754
    @manusauce2754 4 місяці тому +1

    Mounted Goblin Raiders VS Kobold Trappers
    P.S. Awesome music choices as always Esper !

  • @McHappyface
    @McHappyface 4 місяці тому +2

    Congratulations to the survivors! As a bonus reward in addition to keeping their lives they get the honor of cleaning up the battlefield so the town can return to normal functions!

  • @MazarRackham
    @MazarRackham 4 місяці тому +2

    Hell yeah, another Monster Melee!

  • @Rexir2
    @Rexir2 4 місяці тому +2

    It's the case of "Would you rather fight a horse-sized duck or a bunch of duck-sized horses?"
    Ngl, though, I wish players would hire NPCs more. What you can't smash with a maul can oft still be crushed under the weight of the action economy

  • @brailleeulogy120
    @brailleeulogy120 4 місяці тому +2

    Liked and comment for engagement. - can’t wait to see more big creature battles like Lich, more beholder variants, things like that.

  • @welcome_to_the_own_zone
    @welcome_to_the_own_zone 4 місяці тому +1

    These are awesome man. Love it!

  • @theblueflame2221
    @theblueflame2221 4 місяці тому +2

    That was a favorite, maybe seeing a bunch of fairly regular dudes teaming up and take down a big one is what it is.
    How about a centaur with a bow(?) fighting some slow moving thing with a powerful melee attack?
    See how long it can dance around its opponent. Could be interesting to include repetitive charges.
    Or some aerial creature that can dive bomb and get out against a spellcaster.
    Thx for the videos.

  • @orcdong
    @orcdong 4 місяці тому +1

    I wanna see another blood war battle with a large group of Manes against a large group of Lemures

  • @Spiceodog
    @Spiceodog 4 місяці тому +1

    The standard guard being weaker then a standard goblin has always been weird

  • @josephhenry3867
    @josephhenry3867 4 місяці тому +2

    Great video concept really enjoyed. Suggestion for a longer Vid - Warlocks decide to take a Druid grove due to it being on a powerful land. Big war

  • @gigition2405
    @gigition2405 4 місяці тому +1

    It would be cool if you had some thematic fights. Like all four cr 10 eladrin vs a drow matron mother cr 20. As the wood elf leaders vs their ancient drow enemies. the npc stat blocks for a knight, mage, archer, assassin, druid,and priest vs adult red dragon: this one might be a bit too long. Thanks for your videos though they’re very fun.

  • @mrmiyagi5398
    @mrmiyagi5398 4 місяці тому

    This was so good! Because you made up some context that made us all root for the brave town guards. Please always give us a background stories why they are fighting and whats at stake. Love it!

  • @keonprs5800
    @keonprs5800 4 місяці тому +3

    Baphomet vs Yeenoghu, a group of gnolls vs a group of Minotaurs, or a large groupe of gnolls and Yeenoghu spicific demon vs a Goristro and mabye a few Bulezau. that sounds like an epic monster melee to me

  • @starcrafter13terran
    @starcrafter13terran 4 місяці тому +1

    Idea: (This is inspired by a picture from the 1e dm's guide I think) Fleeing arcane trickster on a horse versus, say, the town watch.

  • @spottedslash4256
    @spottedslash4256 4 місяці тому +2

    Elmar deserves a promotion.

  • @BeatchBall
    @BeatchBall 4 місяці тому +4

    Got an email informing me that my copy of Monstrous Heros is on the way! 😁

  • @JonathanVucic
    @JonathanVucic 4 місяці тому +1

    I played a thief back in 2nd edition that died in a scout ahead scenario, long story short I was reincarnated into an ettin and it was hilarious gameplay until the DM insisted that the character retire and become an NPC about 4 sessions later. Really appreciate the content. Keep it up

  • @ramondejesus65
    @ramondejesus65 4 місяці тому +1

    Gotta love the sound effects 🤜💢💥✊

  • @kylevidauri4869
    @kylevidauri4869 4 місяці тому +1

    A Gnoll Pack led by a Flind go to battle against an Orc raiding party with a trained Ogre.

  • @CarrowMind
    @CarrowMind 4 місяці тому +1

    The MM guards are a great representitive of raw recruits, fresh from a few weeks of training. Wheras a well season guard should be a tad tougher, I like to make a seasoned guardsman (at least 5 years of experience) a level 1 fighter, and the more seasoned they are they gain more levels, culminating in a veteran guardsman in his early 50's who is a level 6 Battle Master fighter. A quick and dirty formula for levels is one level per 5 years of active duty. Give any guard level 3-4 half-plate and a level 5 guard full plate, with or without shields.
    To increase their threat even further, give a seasoned guardsman 8 points to spend on their stats, distribute them how you like but prioritise str and con, with dex and wis as a secondary. Levelling them up does include ASI's. Consider giving a level 6 veteran guardsman a +1 magic weapon.
    You might also consider creating certain specialised regiments, especially in big cities, such as an anti-mage squadron with the Mage Slayer feat and some sort of magic item that helps them resist spells and detect their use.
    Some guards are so well trained, that even at a younger age they start off as level 3 fighters. These are guards who have been chosen to protect royals, or equally important people or places, such as an Archmage, or a vault containing powerful and dangerous relics. These guys not only get elite training (a +10 bump to their stats to distribute) but also elite gear, starting out with Half-Plate, progressing to full plate at level 5 and ending up with +1 plate at level 7 and above. An elite veteran guardsman ends his or her career at level 10 at age 50+ and has a +2 magical weapon, +1 armour and some sort of other magical item that is Rare, a Mantle of Spell Resistance is a common choice for obvious reasons.
    This way, guards are *always* a challenge for any party, even at high levels since they operate in squadrons of 5, and if the threat is severe enough, multiple squadrons can be called in for backup, meaning that even a level 20 party might think twice against breaking the king's peace.

  • @BillyBasd
    @BillyBasd 4 місяці тому +2

    Please do more town guards/relatable npcs vs monsters, this was great.
    Maybe a sequel with the survivors level up or get better equipment. Like d8/d10 melee and more ammo

  • @primeemperor9196
    @primeemperor9196 4 місяці тому +2

    Elmar: Not the hero we expected, but the hero we needed.

  • @mammonclarke
    @mammonclarke 4 місяці тому +1

    Definitely enjoying these.

  • @CarpeDiem-rm2vm
    @CarpeDiem-rm2vm 4 місяці тому +3

    A small Regiment supported by some wizards against a Dwarven Shieldwall with a Dwarven Artillery Company.

  • @JinZanmato
    @JinZanmato 4 місяці тому +3

    How about a Vampire Lord with 2 Vampire spawns vs a Mummy Lord with mummies or something like that? Would love to see an undead battle.

  • @justdamon25
    @justdamon25 4 місяці тому +3

    I would have wanted Ettin vs Troll personally. Also if I recall correctly there was in fact an Ettin-Troll hybrid in the kingmaker campaign for pathfinder 1st edition and now that I think about it, there is also an Ettin-Green Dragon hybrid that is the son(s) of Claugiyliamatar. Crazy but very unique individuals I must say.

    • @digieykid6096
      @digieykid6096 4 місяці тому +1

      Wouldn’t the troll just win because of regen? I don’t think the Ettin would try using fire or acid. I don’t think they’d even be capable of starting a fire.

    • @justdamon25
      @justdamon25 4 місяці тому +2

      @@digieykid6096 The Troll does have regen and higher AC, but the Ettin has higher damage and speed. Theoretically you could kill a Troll without acid or fire damage if you are keeping track of negative hit points so like -10 or higher to put down (albeit not for good). I would rule it as a beheading.

    • @digieykid6096
      @digieykid6096 4 місяці тому +2

      @@justdamon25 I don’t think negative hit points are a thing in the official rules and also I’m pretty sure trolls can canonically survive having their heads cut off.

    • @justdamon25
      @justdamon25 4 місяці тому +2

      @@digieykid6096 keeping track of negative hit points is definitely more of a house rule but is one that makes sense for monsters that have regen for a scenario like this. And I allude to it not being truly dead after the beheading it would just be unable to continue the fight. Minor correction on my part the damage output of both Ettin and Troll are actually comparable just like their Hit Points.

    • @digieykid6096
      @digieykid6096 4 місяці тому +1

      @@justdamon25 hmmmm. That’s definitely a house rule that would be fair and make sense if you want the fight to happen. My brain just thinks the regen should just happen like normal and the fight shouldn’t happen because of it but to each their own, what your suggesting would be a good way of doing it and it could be an interesting match up😁

  • @ShadowmarkReturns
    @ShadowmarkReturns 4 місяці тому +2

    I think we're learning that action economy is important lol

  • @Link_eats_mayonnaise
    @Link_eats_mayonnaise 4 місяці тому +1

    I ran a one shot where the players played as randomly generated commoners and they had to kill a troll.

  • @sancoribero
    @sancoribero 4 місяці тому +3

    A Pack of Advanced Rust Monsters vs. A Chain Devil

  • @tengenuzui5899
    @tengenuzui5899 4 місяці тому +3

    This is great! Where do you simulate these battles?

  • @robertnilsson1988
    @robertnilsson1988 4 місяці тому +5

    I feel like town gaurds should be in a town with some form of fortification, like a wall, gate, maybe more depending on town size :D give them some cred for being semi intelligent.

    • @ayyvengo1216
      @ayyvengo1216 4 місяці тому +3

      The giants are attacking the town, thats why all the rubble is there. I think it is safe to assume they have destroyed the fortifications.

    • @Thorngot
      @Thorngot 4 місяці тому +1

      Aye, the last line doesn't have the luxury of outer walls, and filing out of narrow alleys two-by-two in the town proper would only make things worse. Kiting and ranged weapons could work with their numbers, but doing so would give the ettin time to tear apart the very town they were trying to protect.

  • @iramoser6136
    @iramoser6136 4 місяці тому +1

    I'm enjoying this series very much!

  • @chrismiller9292
    @chrismiller9292 Місяць тому

    Nice! I've been doing the same, running low level npcs vs various groups of monsters. I find it so much fun and I've actually run the same scenarios on multiple occasions as there can be so much variance in the outcomes depending upon good/bad rolls.

  • @Commanderthebarbarian
    @Commanderthebarbarian 4 місяці тому +1

    Elevate these gards to the rank of captain and give them pikes. After the hard fought battle, they deserve promotions and better gear.

  • @Watchin4story
    @Watchin4story 4 місяці тому +1

    A drink to Andre, Magnus, Sebastian, and Timo!

  • @angelog5482
    @angelog5482 4 місяці тому +1

    Maybe a fun match up would be, and however you think to balance, but a minotaur vs centaur.

  • @adventurer3288
    @adventurer3288 4 місяці тому +2

    I'd love some knights vs undead, maybe a spawn of kyuss or vampire spawns

  • @dantealivieri5390
    @dantealivieri5390 4 місяці тому +1

    I like the basically normal people agajnst kick ass monsters. Kinda relatable and inspiring

  • @theonewhowins47
    @theonewhowins47 4 місяці тому +1

    I’m interested to see who would win if a marilith and a planetar were to fight. Angel vs. demon

  • @minkinomics3002
    @minkinomics3002 4 місяці тому +2

    An orc captain and 6 orcs against 2 knights would be a fun battle. CR 6 either way. Or add a knight to get some reactivity.

  • @ethankly12
    @ethankly12 4 місяці тому +1

    Elmar deserves a fuckin' promotion for this one boys.

  • @DigitalReplicaOfAPerson
    @DigitalReplicaOfAPerson 4 місяці тому

    I fucking love this series! An awesome, gruesome battle worthy of remembrance in the village songs for all time. That bloody ettin picked the wrong squad to mess with and quite rightly paid the ultimate price.

  • @ThatDemonOverThere
    @ThatDemonOverThere 4 місяці тому

    an "adventurer" party made of 4 npcs from the appendix of volo's guide to monsters vs an appropriate leveled dragon

  • @elifrancis1093
    @elifrancis1093 3 місяці тому

    Totally awesome video! I’m freaking out how fun it was to watch!!!

  • @spectrumsucks1607
    @spectrumsucks1607 4 місяці тому +1

    You could have the surviving guards come back as veterans or knights from the monster manual!

  • @John-fc5ic
    @John-fc5ic 4 місяці тому +1

    Maybe a drow hunting party (like a drow mage, a few warriors) vs either something big like a purple worm or umbrer hulk. Or another group of underdark creatures like the druegar.
    Small schimish between 12v12 low cr creatures
    or a hunting party vs something big

  • @IllIllIIIllIll
    @IllIllIIIllIll 4 місяці тому +8

    Yay love this series