5e D&D Combat Encounters - Desert

Combat Encounters include creature groups, hazards and lone npcs. Maybe a lost lizardfolk, a forest fire or a talkative druid
The desert conjures images of sun-blasted wastes, stark canyons and sandy ridges. Encounters may take place at a well-guarded oasis, a lonely mesa, among half buried ruins or in the bed of a dried up river.

tools for - dnd5e encounters desert

level: party size: terrain: sources: type:

combat

1 Giant Scorpion

At a muddy pool near a few ferns (there is a rock with crude drawings)
They are are looking for more of their kind
In a fight they attack whoever looks most dangerous
Difficulty... 700 Deadly

combat

1 Lion

At a set of steps to a defensible position (the area is sacred to a power of wind)
They are are looking for somewhere to die
In a fight they attack whoever is largest
Possibly... during the fight liquid spills to make an area slippery
Difficulty... 200 Medium

combatfrog

1 Giant Toad
1 Giant Frog

At an area of damaged grass. There is a wide trench with a deep sinkhole (there is a pile of rotting bodies)
They are are fleeing a natural disaster or other event
In a fight they attack whoever is causing them the most pain
Difficulty... 375.0 Hard

combatwarrior

A group of warriors

3 Tribal Warriors
1 Thug

At an exposed outcrop (it is in an area affected by a mirage arcana)
They are digging up something
In a fight they try to attack from ambush
Possibly... during the fight someone notices a large fire nearby
Difficulty... 350 Hard

combatogre

2 Half-Ogres (Monster Manual p.238)

At an edible ring of mushrooms surrounded by dirt (close to a slope of thorny plants)
They are looking at stone markings
In a fight they surrender if things go badly
Possibly... during the fight someone drops their weapon
Difficulty... 600.0 Deadly

combatsnake

A nest (group) of snakes

4 Giant Poisonous Snakes
1 Flying Snake
1 Poisonous Snake

At a part-buried large statue (the area is in an area affected by a mirage arcana)
They are searching for water
In a fight they quickly retreat and try attacking again from ambush
Possibly... during the fight someone has a vision of the future
Difficulty... 500 Deadly

combat

2 Giant Lizards

At an unstable mine entrance and an obelisk (nearby is a ruined low wall)
They are mutated in some way
In a fight they run and hide if things go badly
Possibly... they have a Wand of Fireballs
Difficulty... 150.0 Easy

combatgnoll

A group of gnolls

3 Gnolls led by one named Ravi
3 Hyenas

At a group of wide cave entrances. There is an isolated shack with a cave entrance (near a dusty gorge)
They are herding domesticated beasts
In a fight they focus on the foes with least armor
Possibly... they have a Potion of Fire Resistance
Difficulty... 660 Deadly

combat

4 Giant Lizards

At a part-buried stone bench (close by is a sand-scoured shrine to a power of pain)
They are dehydrated
In a fight they attack whoever is largest
Possibly... they have a Decanter of Endless Water
Difficulty... 400 Deadly

combat

1 Death Dog

At a set of steps to a defensible position. There is a rocky stream fed by a spring with a drying waterhole (nearby is a deep chasm)
They are searching for water
In a fight they attack whoever is nearest
Possibly... they have a Poisoner's kit
Difficulty... 200 Medium