As players move up in levels it becomes more and more difficult to provide them the challenges that make combat fun. I’m not looking to kill characters, but I think it is entertaining and fulfilling to at least have the fear of death now and then. 🙂

Players in my campaigns usually learn from previous battles and lean into tactics that work and deliver ongoing and significant damage to whatever opponents they face. My recent party has leaned into Spike Growth, Cloud of Daggers, and Spirit Guardians to strategically decimate opponents.

As I mentioned in earlier Blog posts, I seek out new monsters in other publications to further customize for new challenges. But even with that, the challenges can still be easily overcome once the players reach level 10 and above.

Now the quandry is to not take away from player agency by removing levels, feats, powers, spells, or magic items. The real challenge for a Dungeon Master is to create new challenges that can test players – especially since players love to reach level 10+. I have heard from many players that they never get to play higher level characters and they enjoy the new feats and powers they get to use. (not to mention the awesome magic items)

I present to you, the Frost Ice Giant Troll that combines the damage dealing potential of a Frost Giant, with the regenerative powers of an Ice Troll. These creations also have the benefit of the Dungeon Master being able to add novel powers/effects that players are not aware of. I am sure we all have had players who know the monsters as well as the Dungeon Master. What better way to throw a curveball at the players to provide a new challenge with unexpected actions?

I’ve only started to use this, but I am likely to continue with our campaign continuing and the players likely reaching level 20 and above.

It probably goes without saying that my BBEG will be a custom creation combining multiple monsters and novel ideas to make that final challenge lasting and memorable.