Not to mention Strahd's summons, legendary actions, etc. Keeping level 1 characters alive is no small task, and "Death House" monsters have high armor classes and hit hard. " [] Reading through The Curse of Strahd was a thrilling visit to the tortured land of Barovia. As always, be prepared to tune your preparations to the needs, skills, and expectations of your playersand above all else, make sure that you and your players have fun. Is there such a thing as "right to be heard" by the authorities? A few things to consider when choosing: Plea for Help requires the player characters presence in a generic old tavern, which is simple enough to manage but doesnt lend itself well to the "Death House" introductory adventure. I'm looking for more ideas for bosses or minibosses to sprinkle through Barovia. Set in the realm of Barovia, a Domain Of Dread within Ravenloft, your players find themselves transported here and trapped. This adventure module is designed to take four to six player characters from 1st level to 10th level. Cookie Notice For more information, please see our Friendly Reminder: You can get 140+ pages of Curse of Strahd guides for free! Is this homebrew variant of Leomund's Tiny Hut a problem? Strahd freely uses his Charm ability when able and the PCs are unaware of or unwilling to employ any means to stop it, limiting them to limited post-Charm curatives (e.g., manacles to restrain charmed PCs or the single-use 5th-level spell dispel evil and good). "Dungeons & Dragons: Curse of Strahd Revamped Announced for October Release", "Curse of Strahd - RPGnet d20 RPG Game Index", "D&D's Ravenloft returns with the help of its original creators", "Curse Of Strahd Interview With Chris Perkins", "Curse of Strahd Revamped | Dungeons & Dragons", "One of Dungeons & Dragons' best campaigns is getting two extravagant new reprints", "Popular D&D tabletop campaign Curse of Strahd is being re-'vamped', "Exclusive: First Look at D&D's 'Curse of Strahd Revamped' Collector's Edition", "This Week's Bestsellers: March 28, 2016", "Best-selling Books List | Back issue 03/28/16", "Review: Dungeons & Dragons: Curse of Strahd", "Feel the Horror in 'The Curse of Strahd', "Dungeons & Dragons Promises To Make Its Adventures More Queer", "Dungeons, Dragons, and Vampires: Curse of Strahd Black Gate", "The Mary Sue Gift Guide for the Dungeons & Dragons Fan", "Dungeons & Dragons Returns to Ravenloft With Curse of Strahd Revamped", "D&D's Culturally Sensitive Strahd Revamp Is Here, But It'll Cost You [Updated]", Supplement IV: Gods, Demi-Gods, and Heroes, Against the Giants: The Liberation of Geoff, Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells, Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Curse_of_Strahd&oldid=1146122728, Role-playing game supplements introduced in 2016, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, The Creatures of Horror book, describing new monsters, A double-sided poster-sized map of Barovia and Castle Ravenloft, 12 postcards themed around locations in the adventure, This page was last edited on 22 March 2023, at 22:10. Strahd uses 2 legendary actions to bite a charmed or grappled enemy. Which ability is most related to insanity: Wisdom, Charisma, Constitution, or Intelligence? They tend to go [] in the hundreds of dollars. A Comprehensive Guide to Strahd's RAW Final Battle Tactics. If you choose this option, set Strahds default CR to 9. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. This module was designed to be inserted into the main Curse of Strahd campaign, in the centralized town of Vallaki. Use this option if you want to separate the character from their allies and tax their health and/or resources before they can reunite with the others. Its worth considering leveling up Strahds Enemy (the partys ally from the Tarokka reading) and any NPC tagalongs alongside the characters. The ghasts and the mound are tough, but certainly doable if the characters play smart. Each option is accompanied by a brief description, a proposed justification for its use, and its prospective impact on Strahds challenge rating. Strahd casts mirror image before entering combat. Strahd is unaffected by any PC taunts specifically regarding Sergei, King Barov, Queen Ravenovia, or Tatyana. Curse of Strahd is an adventure module for the 5th-edition of Dungeons & Dragons, published by Wizards of the Coast in 2016. Even if my 4 party members get to level 10 before they face him, 4 CR 8 T-rexes and a CR 15 Strahd is a hard fight. If you use this option, leave Strahds CR unchanged if employing No Phasing*, and increase Strahds CR by 1 if not*. Advanced Phasing. How can I prepare for DMing the Curse of Strahd adventure effectively? Much of their threat depends on the party composition and their ability to output magical damage. All rights reserved. Are there any overpowered race/class combinations for Curse of Strahd? Strahd casts the polymorph spell to turn a PC or NPC into a frog. The second fight, the majority of their spells are not terribly bad, and can be resisted if lucky. Use this option if you want to threaten a particular low-HP target and/or grapple a PC who you plan to separate from the party. If possible, Strahd never begins or ends his turn within 60 feet of the wielder of the Sunsword. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. The answer would certainly be improve by including an explanation of why it's the solution. Doesn't Use Charm. Why are players required to record the moves in World Championship Classical games? Curse of Strahd 5th Edition Levels 1-10 256 pages Under raging storm clouds, the vampire Count Strahd von Zarovich stands silhouetted against the ancient walls of Castle Ravenloft. With delightfully macabre props and thoughtful changes, Curse of Strahd Revamped is the definitive version of a classic. Locations in Barovia include. The short version is that he was a mortal warlord who murdered an entire valley full of people because of his unresolved daddy issues. On top of that, this is a horror campaign - it is not unreasonable that if the characters poke around the dark corners of Barovia whilst uninformed of what lies within, they may end up angering something much more powerful than themselves. I know that Zealot's radiant damage would be useful . It's a great adventure - but it can also be a bit overwhelming and hard to run, especially if it's your first time as a DM. Strahd is a bit problematic as a boss because his optimal combat style, while quite dangerous, is generally frustrating instead of fun; just sneak up on the party (Stealth +14), fight for one or two rounds, then use Lair Action (pass . Is it safe to publish research papers in cooperation with Russian academics? If you use this option, leave Strahds CR unchanged if employing Cant Use Charm (see above), and increase Strahds CR by 1 if not. Use this option if you want to run an unsatisfying, torturous fight. Personally, I find it MUCH easier to do milestone based leveling in custom adventures I write myself than to try to mind-meld with a published adventure series to that deep of a level and try to just guess its intentions toward specific milestones, but maybe that's just me. Curse of Strahd has a specific leveling style all its own. 1. Let me start off by saying that Curse of Strahd certainly has some very challenging encounters, many of which can be stumbled into at points when the party is woefully under-levelled. A Comprehensive Guide to Strahd's RAW Final Battle Tactics As a module, Curse of Strahd does a pretty good job of keeping the pressure on with very little work from the DM. Use this option if you want to allow Strahd to isolate a grappled PC or keep Strahd away from sources.of sunlight, out of sight of hostile spellcasters, and/or out of range of hostile melee enemies. Looking at the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind's description in Appendix C (p. 222), it looks like something that a group of adventures wanting to take down a powerful vampire would want to have. Use this option if you want to allow Strahd to isolate a grappled PC or keep Strahd away from sources.of sunlight, out of sight of hostile spellcasters, and/or out of range of hostile melee enemies. So far, my players have been most impressed/engaged when fighting a "boss," just a unique enemy they had not seen before who had enough health and hit super hard so they had to really consider their tactics as individuals and as a group. 28. Strahd is probably one of the most iconic villains in the Dungeons and Dragons universe. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Far below, yet not beyond his keen eyesight, a party of adventurers has just entered his domain. Strahd uses his Bite attack while he has a PC grappled. Mysterious Visitors assumes that your campaign is based in or near Daggerford, a town on the Sword Coast in the Forgotten Realms. Use of this option does not change Strahds CR. Strahd uses 1 legendary action to corner a vulnerable foe or escape a dangerous situation. Complete Curse of Strahd Map Pack Directory & Zip Files. Bumping up HP and AC are obvious first choices, but giving him access to a mythic action and regenerated health after initially being reduced to zero may be more fun for your players (and mimics the final form video game boss experience players may be familiar with from other Dracula-inspired vampires). For Dungeon Masters, Curse of Strahd is a wide-open expanse, full of possibilities and different stories to tell. [7], Chris Perkins, Dungeon & Dragons Principal Narrative Designer, in an interview with IGN said, "We don't do a tremendous number of box sets. Curse of Strahd was the first project I worked on as a Roll20 content conversion contractor in 2017 and the first Wizards of the Coast storyline I ever played (my ranger survived Death House in a particularly cutthroat way), so its a sentimental storyline for me. I rocked up late to the first session with an unread rulebook and a human bard called Nick Jugger. Use this option if you would like to allow your players to turn a difficult fight into an easy one by properly provoking Strahd. Even though there is not much detail about them in the book, they make great mini-bosses for the party to encounter. 4. Dancing With The Wolves (Combat Theme) - Curse Of Strahd Soundtrack Some things to keep in mind to make this work well: (*) I roll my dice in the open (when I can), my players know my monsters may kill the characters and I don't fudge the die for or against them. Attending dinner at Strahds invitation can be a fun and unsettling peek at horrors to come, but consider your players stamina and level before encouraging them to explore further. [] Play is easy, and intuitive, given youve familiarized yourself with the adventure ahead of time. Strahd uses his lair action to summon a specter, which attacks a single PC and then vanishes. Then, because the woman he wanted to creepily possess fell in love with his younger (well-adjusted) brother, he murdered his brother, chased his beloved Tatyana off a 1,000-foot cliff, and made a pact with the mysterious Dark Powers to become the unholy terror he is today. This is a great lead into Death House, with little additional work required. Also to note. Use this option if you would like to provide value to the Tome of Strahd and permit your PCs to win a moral and psychological victory over Strahd. Use this option if your players appear uninterested in using Strahds history against him. I think you need to add monsters if you aren't using milestones to ensure the PC's are of sufficient level to enter that area. A party of adventurers can begin the adventure either at 1st level (beginning with the notoriously lethal starter adventure. [15], In a review of Curse of Strahd in Black Gate, Andrew Zimmerman Jones said "Curse of Strahd is really a mix of setting manual and adventure module in one, with a storyline that is extremely open-ended, with endings that (assuming the players survive) allow for continued adventures centered around the consequences of the players' actions in Castle Ravenloft. Mirror Image. It's fairly easy to tweak encounters, although as a warning it is also not too hard for the PCs to wander off-track and bite off more than they can chew! What experiences have you had running Strahds RAW statblock in combat? While making their way through "Old BoneGrinder", they encountered the hags in the upper two floors. Passing negative parameters to a wolframscript, one or more moons orbitting around a double planet system. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. There were four characters + Esmerelda in the party at the end. The square grid maps will help your players navigate Castle Ravenloft on the virtual tabletop. Just in case someone or something tries to push them down the stairs. Note that this list assumes that Strahd will always save at least one legendary action use after for the turn immediately preceding his own in order to move out of sunlight before the start of his turn and ensure his continued regeneration. 2: The Lands of Barovia Lay of the Land Barovians Vistani 978-0786965984. Best Race/Class to play Curse of Strahd!! - D&D Beyond One thing I have noticed is that the challenge ratings seem very high for certain encounters. rCurseOfStrahd - YouTube $41.95 at Amazon $55.99 at Amazon $55.99 Pros + Gorgeous box and DM. [9], Publishers Weekly included the book in their "Best-selling Books Week Ending March 28, 2016", in which Curse of Strahd was #6 in "Hardcover Fiction". Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. In Curse of Strahd, as part of the Tarokka card reading, the party are told the locations of three "treasures"; the Sunsword, the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind, and the Tome of Strahd.. Note: u/JaeOnasi made a helpful CR calculator based on this guide here. Dynamic lighting and the Jukebox are your best friends in a horror game. Curse of Strahd Leveling Question - Dungeon Masters Only - D&D Beyond The Dark Powers are formidable entities that, even restrained in the Amber Temple, still influence the world around them. Use this option if you want Strahd to slowly chip away a single PC's hit points over a long period of time (e.g., 20 or more rounds of combat) from a position of near-absolute safety. A lightning flash rips through the darkness, but Strahd is gone. The party is his new toy, he does not want to break it too soon. Based on the classic Advanced Dungeons & Dragons adventure, I6 Ravenloft, released in 1983, Curse of Strahd expands the original adventure into an entire region complete with 13 adventuring locations, including the Village of Barovia and Castle Ravenloft. [5], In July 2020, Wizards of the Coast announced a new edition of the Curse of Strahd module, entitled Curse of Strahd: Revamped. Strahd pulls a grappled or incapacitated character to the Ravenloft drawbridge or overlook and pushes them over, letting them fall a thousand feet to their death below. The events of this module are referenced in the novel Death Masks by Ed Greenwood. Lets also assume that his preferred actions include unarmed strike, fireball, sleep, and polymorph (frog); that his preferred legendary actions include unarmed strike and move; that he cannot use charm (+1 CR); that he primarily uses his phasing lair action; that he prefers to isolate characters through imprisonment; that he prepares between consecutive combats by casting fog cloud; and that his responses to provocation are vengeful (-1 CR). In my many times through Curse of Strahd as a marathon, in one night, and as a long campaign, Ive had the most fun running and playing in games with pre-chosen rather than randomized Tarokka readings. Use this option if you want to transform a one-monster "boss fight" into a sprawling dungeon-crawl that occupies the bulk of one or more sessions, forcing your players into a punishing war of attrition and navigation that ends as soon as the PCs successfully grapple or incapacitate him. As a result, they defeated every mini-boss and side quest and advanced to level 11 in the first half of the castle before the final encounter with Strahd. Make notes on Strahd's abilities, tactics, and weaknesses. Fall damage: a creature takes 1d6 bludgeoning damage for every 10 feet fallen to a maximum of 20d6. You can read our full guide to Strahds history, his personality, and how to run him at the table HERE. Strahd casts the sleep spell, placing the sphere such that it will only impact a specific wounded target. It's not necessary to copy it word-for-word to explain how it solves the problem. The box set definitely will enhance your Curse of Strahd experience, and the box alone makes for a great display piece on top of your bookshelf or in the D&D corner of your room". I have one idea so far in that I home-brewed that the mongrelfolk are actually all afflicted with a disease that transforms them at different rates into beasts (hence the beast in the Abbey). Strahd always focuses his damage on a single target at a time, and prefers to target wounded enemies over healthy ones. Curse of Strahd - Wikipedia Which only now gets them level 5 but they have been fighting CR 5's most of the way, with the occasional CR 1-3. If run deficiently, Strahds CR effectively craters to 5; if run optimally, his CR easily surmounts 20. Even if they survive to the final basement battle and reveal, the chase upstairs and the houses own mechanisms may well kill them. I am however following the setup/plot within the actual setting exactly. [3] Charlie Hall, for Polygon, explained that "Instead of reinventing the wheel, principle [sic] designer Chris Perkins brought in the module's original writers the husband and wife team of Tracy and Laura Hickman to create the very best version of the famous module yet. View Cover Art Contents Foreword Introduction Running the Adventure Marks of Horror Ch. It is intended for 4 players, taking them from level 1 to 10. Aarakocra and Flying Players In addition to a softcover adventure book, the boxed set includes the following:[1], Curse of Strahd was written by Jeremy Crawford, Laura Hickman, Tracy Hickman, Adam Lee, Christopher Perkins, Richard Whitters, and was published by Wizards of the Coast in 2016.