Run wave combat for your players in a way that makes them feel like that small band of heroes against the horde.

So here we are. You want to throw a combat at your party that's dynamic, overwhelming, strategic, and involves multiple waves of enemies that get increasingly harder. When pulled off properly, these moments can be among the most celebrated in your whole campaign. Join us as we talk about how to pull it off while avoiding all the mistakes we've personally made before, and leaning into the strengths of this particular form of encounter.

First we spend some time in the Strategy Stateroom, where we discuss the steps to pulling off an epic wave combat encounter. You want to determine the objective, design the environment, allow for preparations, design the enemy, design the tools, and prepare for chaos. We get into each step in depth, and by the end you might agree that this is a solid way to make your players feel heroic while you're throwing increasingly more powerful wave after wave at them.

Then we pop over to the Temple of Inspired Hands to discuss where you can turn when you want to go from a small group of heroes against a horde to an army against an army. It's hard to do with the standard rules of 5th edition, which is why we are highlighting three great options.

First we have DM Dave's Mass Combat Rules, which lets you create units that each have commanders that can influence them in strategic ways.

Then we have Balduran's Guide to Kingdom Building, which gives you a way to focus your campaign around kingdom building, while still letting the party go on adventures.

Finally there's Kingdoms and Warfare, which centers around building intrigue between kingdoms, and gives you well designed rules to engage in full out warfare.

As always, huge thanks to the support for making this episode a reality.

Felix R., Chris F., ISeeSpidersWhereThereAreNone, Lucas D., Lyla G., The GM Tim, Nevermour, Thomas W., Tyler G., Ty N., Heavyarms, Erik R, Aldrost, Leprecan, and Will H-P.