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What breaks if you let a monster have multiple actions? (ttrpg.network)

submitted 10 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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This is for D&D 5e.

I'm currently making a reoccurring antagonist NPC that is a master thief. It's CR 6 and I want it to be capable of making three attacks per round like multiattack but also have their thief subclass's enhanced cunning action with fast hands.

This would normally mean they'd get 3 attacks and a varying options for bonus actions, however I'd want them to be able to trade up to three if these attacks to have more uses of cunning action (this would of course stack the ability to dash 4 times per round but I'd just not do that while running the monster). They also have a special once per day ability that I'd want them to be able to swap a single attack for.

It got me thinking, instead of trying to make an unwieldy combination of multiattack, a special action and cunning action, could I just give them three actions?

The simple way this NPC works that I want them to pick 3 options from:

Dagger
Crossbow
Special action
Dash
Disengage
Hide
Make an ability check
Use an object
Use a set of tools

At this point, what do I actually lose from letting them take 3 actions? They aren't a Spellcaster so I'm not worried about them throwing out three fireballs or the like.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

I initially built them as having multiattack before thinking of this, and they'd only get as many actions as the number of attacks, so they wouldn't be risking instantly downing a PC more than any creature with standard multiattack.

As for yo-yoing on the edge of their attack range, I think I'll lower their weapon range and their special ability basically requires them to consistently read aloud from a grimour, so I'll half their movement while that's active (they'll either be retreating entirely or using the book).

The main reason I'm hesitant with legendary actions is that I already use the MCDM villain actions and this NPC is going to be encountered with basically a heist team, so I don't want to manage too much for this creature off their turn.

Edit: Thinking about it more, I'm happy not making it all happen in a turn and giving them two legendary actions, however for the sake of versatility, I don't see an issue with making those legendary actions "The thief takes an action".