This is an idea I originally put forward in the Kronos Super-solo monster. Basically, it adds extra monsters to an encounter WITHOUT increasing the Encounter Level. How do you do this – simple. Instead of using the base EXP for an encounter Level, you use as much EXP as possible without going to the next level.
For example:
- A Level 30 Encounter is worth 95,000 EXP.
- A Level 31 Encounter is worth 115,000 EXP
The difference is 20,000 EXP, so if we add 19,999 EXP to a Level 30 encounter then its still a Level 30 encounter.
So what does the typical difference (between levels) get us.
Same Level as the encounter
- 4 Minions
- or
- 1 Standard Monster
-1 Level of the Encounter
- 5 Minions
- or
- 1 Standard Monster + 1 Minion
-2 Levels of the Encounter
- 6 Minions
- or
- 1 Standard monster + 2 Minions
-3 Levels of the Encounter
- 7 Minions
- or
- 1 Standard Monster + 3 Minions
-4 Levels of the Encounter
- 8 Minions
- or
- 2 Standard Monsters
- or
- 1 Standard Monster + 4 Minions
- or
- 1 Elite Monster
So what is the point of these expendable auxiliary forces? Well there are a few benefits to using this rule. Firstly that epic encounters in general are often too weak. Secondly, elite (leaders) and solo monsters in particular can always do with some added support, even just acting as a defensive buffer for a round to draw some fire.
One drawback is of course that the DM has a few more monsters to run. But that should only be a minor problem (especially given how fast they will likely fall).
Eternity Publishing 
Dave
December 10, 2012
That should work – I could see a battle with Tiamat and 5 elder dragon minions (lvl 32 white, lvl 33 black, lvl 34 green, lvl 35 blue and lvl 37 red). That sounds about right for a lvl 35 fight. Technically that goes over the budget for a lvl 35 encounter, but I think minions are worth to much XP anyway – so I think that would be about right.
Upper_Krust
December 10, 2012
Yes I was wondering how that Tiamat and her ‘gang’ battle could work in 4E. While the minion dragons are accurate by level, they probably undervalue any significance (also the consorts are probably meant to be Ancient Dragons anyway) of the consorts in the first place. A better fight would probably be a Super-solo version of Tiamat at L30 and the five (Ancient) consorts converted into Elites.
Dave
December 11, 2012
Yes, they should be ancients, but as you note that didn’t work with the minions. I like your idea, but I must say that that seems like a tougher than level 35 encounter to me. In fact, unless my math is wrong that would be a lvl 39 encounter (ifsuper solo = solo x 2 XP)
S'mon
December 10, 2012
Generally I recommend using lower level standard monsters rather than minions; standards act as effective damage soaks and are satisfying to kill, whereas minions normally all die in one round. Also players like seeing monster attacks miss occasionally!
Upper_Krust
December 10, 2012
I agree that standard monsters will be more durable. But at the same time I think that there is still a lot you can do with the design of minions. So I often try and think of ways to prolong minions. Here are two minions showing up in future books:
Blood Acolyte (of Kali): These acolytes are trained to detach their mind from pain. As such they die the round after they are killed (DM’s discretion – obviously if one was disintegrated or decapitated this ability wouldn’t apply).
Strigoi Mortis: These vampire-zombies have two hearts and actually need to be killed twice. Ensuring they last at least 2 rounds.
Upper_Krust
December 14, 2012
Hey Dave,
it always seemed silly to me that the end boss fight in some god’s or demon prince’s realm would simply be with the god themselves. Far more likely it would be with the God + Key Henchmen + some tough Cannon Fodder…all this would be after a wave or two had been thrown at the invaders (PCs) to soften them up a bit.
Dave
December 16, 2012
Yes, I agree, the whole notion of a “solo” god seems a bit silly.
Maxon Adams
July 26, 2020
Dear, Craig Cochrane. If you can read this i belive im your biggest fan of your immortals besitary and treasure it deeply please contact me through comment and what not for i want to know whatbit would take for you to make the other two editions.
Upper_Krust
July 27, 2020
Hey Maxon,
thank you so much for the kind words. I’m currently working on an ‘Adventure Bestiary’ for 5th Edition. Which is basically an epic bestiary but with a strong adventure theme shaping the included monsters. This is still at the early stages of development but if I can get a few of these books written they would eventually include all the monsters I was going to have in later Epic Bestiary volumes.
Not sure if that helps. I know some people still love the 3.5E Epic Bestiary and would like to see a direct sequel.