[RPG] How hard is too hard for monster tactics

combatdnd-5emonsterstactics

Fairly straight-forward question: How good should you make your monsters' combat tactics?

I recently came across a situation similar to this…

  • Party attacked by monsters.
  • Party is taken off guard, and as such the only healer is in melee combat.
  • Monster has parry.
  • I choose not to use parry and instead held the reaction for when the healer attempted to run away.
  • Player (rightfully) chose to disengage, and I was left to use my parry on a later attack during the round.

My players complained that monsters would not likely have the understanding of tactics at this level, to play the meta game properly. I settled into a couple of solid arguments of my own, but am not sure if the proper conclusion has been reached:

  1. Regardless of the monsters intellect, they would always have decent
    knowledge of the weapons/features available to them. As such
    arguments regarding the proper use of these (even very low intellect
    creatures) is void.

  2. Since the "meta" game is only attempting to bring clarity to
    situation and provide proper guidance, using it to the fullest (as a
    monster) should not be against the rules. Especially considering
    most players will attempt to do the same typically.

  3. Since the players overall skill level is generally quite high (all
    10+ year veteran players, with a few exceptions) having more
    difficult encounters keeps the campaign from being boring and easy
    to win.

Is there a correct way to play NPC/monsters in D&D according to RAW? I am specifically looking for instances where tactics are detailed from an official source, regarding generic rules which can be applied to any encounter (such as the affect of intelligence on combat).

Best Answer

RAW, tactics are broadly determined by monster type.

There are no generic rules for how a monster behaves in combat. However, the monster manual does detail specific tactics for specific types of monsters. For example, the Hobgoblin (MM 185):

Hobgoblins have a strong grasp of tactics and discipline, and can carry out sophisticated battle plans under the direction of a strategically minded leader. However, they hate elves and attack them first in battle over any other opponents, even if doing so would be a tactical error.

or the Marilith (MM 53):

These demons possess keen minds and a finely honed sense of tactics, and they are able to lead and unite other demons in common cause. Mariliths are often encountered as captains at the head of a demonic horde, where they embrace any opportunity to rush headlong into battle.

On the other hand, some monsters have no tactics whatsoever, such as Oozes (MM40):

Most of the time, oozes have no sense of tactics or self-preservation. They are direct and predictable, attacking and eating without cunning.

or minotaurs (MM 223):

Apart from ambushing creatures that wander into its labyrinth, a minotaur cares little for strategy or tactics.

Thus, you will have to look at the specific monster in order to determine its usage of tactics in any given encounter. However, tactics will obviously vary from encounter to encounter depending on specific circumstances. For example, an enemy that knows the party's abilities and weaknesses will use that knowledge to his or her advantage, resulting in a different (and likely more difficult) encounter.