[RPG] Is this monster in Lost Mines of Phandelver too much for a group of level 3 characters

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My group of 8 level 3 players are about to run through the Thundertree Ruins and will probably have a hand at fighting the dragon. My question stems from the fact that a single poison breath attack from the dragon will outright kill all but 1 player assuming they fail their saving throws.

I understand this encounter is supposed to be ridiculously deadly, but I don't want to be punishing my players for testing the lengths at which they can fight stuff. A fight should be challenging and they should be able to try and run away, but instant obliteration seems a bit much.

All PCs are level 3 (HP in parenthesis):

  • Wood elf moon druid (27)
  • dwarven frenzy barbarian (44)
  • fire genasi archer ranger (37) (pseudodragon companion (12))
  • wood elf assassin rogue (27)
  • human wild magic sorcerer (22)
  • dragonborn fighter (29)
  • human monk (24)
  • human fighter (32)

Best Answer

If I may indulge in a frame challenge.

A group of wandering murderers who, without provocation, attack an intelligent sentient being deserve what they get. This is especially so since, earlier in the module:

There is an evil Red Wizard of Thay who the party is expected to deal with in a non-violent fashion.

There are any number of ways that the party could interact with the dragon to their mutual benefit, albeit not without risk. From the Monster Manual p.95 (my emphasis):

The most cunning and treacherous of true dragons, green dragons use misdirection and trickery to get the upper hand against their enemies. Nasty tempered and thoroughly evil, they take special pleasure in subverting and corrupting the good-hearted. In the ancient forests they roam, green dragons demonstrate an aggression that is often less about territory than it is about gaining power and wealth with as little effort as possible.

Green dragons are consummate liars and masters of double talk. They favor intimidation of lesser creatures, but employ more subtle manipulations when dealing with other dragons. A green dragon attacks animals and monsters with no provocation, especially when dealing with potential threats to its territory. When dealing with sentient creatures, a green dragon demonstrates a lust for power that rivals its draconic desire for treasure, and it is always on the lookout for creatures that can help it further its ambitions.

A green dragon stalks its victims as it plans its assault, sometimes shadowing creatures for days. If a target is weak, the dragon enjoys the terror its appearance evokes before it attacks. It never slays all its foes, preferring to use intimidation to establish control over survivors. It then learns what it can about other creatures' activities near its territory, and about any treasure to be found nearby. Green dragons occasionally release prisoners if they can be ransomed. Otherwise, a creature must prove its value to the dragon daily or die.

There are plenty of levers here that a socially adept party can manipulate. It the party can give this dragon what it wants then they are in a position to make a deal.

Even if the situation deteriorates to violence, it is unlikely to result in a TPK since green dragons don't do that! At worst it will kill one or two, capture as many as it can and scare the rest off. The adventuring opportunities in being a prisoner/slave of a green dragon and having to convince it of your worth each and every day are huge!

Oh, and Phandelver is deliberately set up as a sandbox campaign - your players should know, because you tell them, that in this type of campaign they will encounter things that they can't kill and that will kill them. The appropriate response to hearing about or finding signs of a dragon is to go somewhere else!

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