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

5 Pseudodragons

At an area of palm trees (the area is associated with a dangerous snake-monster)
They are are looking for someone
In a fight they focus on any obvious spellcaster
Possibly... they have a military saddle
Difficulty... 500 Deadly

combat

2 Giant Vultures

At a drying waterhole surrounded by moss (a tornado is approaching)
They are sheltering from a dust storm
In a fight they fight to the bitter end
Difficulty... 600.0 Deadly

combatgoblinoid

A group of goblinoids

2 Hobgoblins
1 Goblin
1 Worg

At a craggy cliff (there are devil tracks that look fresh)
They are digging a pit
In a fight they retreat when half their number have fallen
Possibly... during the fight a solar eclipse occurs
Difficulty... 700 Deadly

combatundead

1 Specter

At a copse of carved saplings (it is associated with vultures)
They are marked by a sun diety
In a fight they attempt to attack from hiding
Possibly... during the fight friendly reinforcements arrive
Difficulty... 200 Medium

combat

3 Scouts

At a small box canyon (which is in the area of a hallow spell)
They are sheltering from a sand storm
In a fight they used ranged attacks on the foes with least armor
Possibly... during the fight someone gets blood or ichor in their eyes
Difficulty... 600 Deadly

combat

2 Thri-kreen (Monster Manual p.288)

At a broad valley (close to a bleak temple to a power of festival)
They are looking at a wanted poster
In a fight they attempt to attack from hiding
Possibly... they have a Potion of Invisibility
Difficulty... 600.0 Deadly

combat

3 Pseudodragons

At a squat hut surrounded by debris (close by is an isolated mesa)
They are sheltering from a sand storm
In a fight they keep away from the foe that stands out most
Possibly... during the fight someone takes the fight to a new area (teleport / through a door / retreat)
Difficulty... 300 Hard

combat

1 Half-Ogre (Monster Manual p.238)

At an exposed outcrop. There is a stagnant waterhole with a shallow sinkhole (there is a foul smell covering the area)
They are exploring a ruin
In a fight they avoid foes attempting to hide
Possibly... they have a Potion of Fire Breath
Difficulty... 200 Medium

combat

1 Thri-kreen (Monster Manual p.288) named Stabtuis

At an area of scrub dunes (lying here is a ploughshare)
They are resting
In a fight they avoid larger foes
Difficulty... 200 Medium

combat

2 Swarms of Insects

At a sacred waterhole by a drying waterhole (there is the bones of an undead)
They are investigating ruins
In a fight they attack whoever is causing them the most pain
Possibly... they have a Spell Scroll of protection from energy
Difficulty... 300.0 Hard