Creatures with Pack Tactics: A Comprehensive Guide
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The Pack Tactics ability is a potent feature in various tabletop role-playing games, most notably Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), and even makes appearances in trading card games like Magic The Gathering. It simulates the coordinated effectiveness of creatures that hunt or fight in groups. This ability gives an attacking creature an advantage on their attack rolls when certain conditions are met. Understanding which creatures possess this ability and how it functions can drastically alter combat strategies and encounters. So, what creatures have pack tactics?
The short answer is that Pack Tactics is primarily associated with creatures that are known to work cooperatively in groups, often utilizing flanking and coordinated attacks. In D&D 5th Edition, this tends to mean creatures like wolves, jackals, hyenas, and even some humanoid thugs. These creatures often fight in packs and utilize their numbers to overwhelm their opponents. Generally, these creatures tend to be of relatively low Challenge Rating (CR), usually not exceeding CR 5. This is likely to balance the fact that their ability is exceptionally powerful, especially when facing multiple foes.
While this might seem straightforward, Pack Tactics extends beyond just the usual suspects. Humans, too, when organized in groups can be considered pack hunters. In nature, various animals employ similar tactics. Examples include chimpanzees, dolphins, lions, dwarf and banded mongooses, and spotted hyenas. Avian examples include Harris’s hawks, butcherbirds, several kookaburra species, and many helmetshrikes. The key commonality is that these animals benefit from coordinated attacks when they fight together.
Understanding Pack Tactics Across Different Systems
Before we dive deeper into specific creatures, it’s important to clarify how Pack Tactics functions in different game contexts:
Pack Tactics in D&D 5e
In D&D 5th Edition, the definition of Pack Tactics is straightforward. A creature with this ability has advantage on attack rolls against another creature if at least one of the attacking creature’s allies is within 5 feet of the target creature, and that ally isn’t incapacitated. This means if a wolf is attacking a knight and another wolf is adjacent to that same knight, the first wolf attacks with advantage. This ability is incredibly effective for low-level creatures in groups, allowing them to pose a greater threat than their CR alone would suggest.
Pack Tactics in Magic: The Gathering
In Magic: The Gathering, Pack Tactics is an ability word that provides a benefit when attacking with a sufficient amount of power across all attacking creatures. Generally, this benefit includes something that triggers once pack tactics activates. Specifically, a creature’s pack tactics ability will only trigger if that creature attacks, not if other creatures attack with a sufficient power. The pack tactics trigger won’t change if creatures are removed or boosted after the ability triggers. The typical threshold is a total of 6 power among attacking creatures. This emphasizes coordinated attacks, similar to its D&D counterpart.
Pack Tactics – An Overview
Ultimately, the core concept of Pack Tactics in both D&D and Magic: The Gathering is the same: coordinated attacks can provide significant advantages. In D&D this is represented by attack rolls with advantage. In Magic the Gathering, this is represented by a unique trigger. In both cases, the concept remains that creatures fighting together, working in tandem and as a unit are more powerful than a single creature on its own. The creatures that have it are those known for fighting as a group in the wild.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To further clarify the specifics of creatures with Pack Tactics and its implications, let’s delve into some frequently asked questions:
1. What exactly does “advantage” mean with Pack Tactics?
In D&D 5th Edition, “advantage” means you roll a d20 twice and take the higher result. This significantly increases your chance of hitting a target, particularly if the creature has a low bonus to their attack roll.
2. Does Pack Tactics work with ranged attacks?
Yes, Pack Tactics applies to any attack, whether melee, ranged weapons, or even spells, as long as the conditions are met. The requirement is that an ally is within 5 feet of the target.
3. Is Pack Tactics a feat in D&D?
Initially, Pack Tactics was introduced in earlier editions of D&D as a fighter bonus feat that gave allies a bonus when flanking an enemy. However, in D&D 5th Edition, Pack Tactics is primarily an ability possessed by monsters and NPCs, not a feat available to player characters.
4. Can player characters acquire Pack Tactics?
While there isn’t a feat for player characters, certain racial traits might grant similar benefits. Additionally, some DMs might allow for homebrewed features or abilities that emulate Pack Tactics, though this is not a standard rule.
5. Are there creatures with Pack Tactics above CR 5?
While it is uncommon, yes. The majority are at the low CR level, but some creatures do exist that have the ability while being above a CR of 5. While not common, this is an example that higher level foes are capable of using pack tactics as well.
6. What about Kobolds? Do they have Pack Tactics?
The original version of the Kobold had Pack Tactics and sunlight sensitivity, however the updated version of the Kobold from “Monsters of the Multiverse” no longer has Pack Tactics. It does not have the original sunlight sensitivity either. It was changed to compensate for other attributes.
7. How does Pack Tactics interact with flanking?
Flanking, a common optional rule in D&D, provides an advantage similar to Pack Tactics, but requires the creature and an ally to be on opposite sides of the target. While the effects overlap, creatures that have both could utilize both for maximum impact.
8. Is Pack Tactics the same as “Fury of the Small”?
No, these are different abilities. Fury of the Small, used by some small races, deals extra damage to larger creatures, while Pack Tactics grants an advantage on attack rolls if there is an ally nearby.
9. Does Pack Tactics require line of sight?
No, Pack Tactics only requires that an ally is within 5 feet of the target, line of sight is not a factor for determining the ability’s usage.
10. Does the ally benefit from Pack Tactics?
No, the benefits of Pack Tactics only apply to the creature attacking that has the ability. The creature who is near the target only serves as the requirement for the ability to function.
11. Is there a way to counter Pack Tactics?
Yes, incapacitating allies is one of the key methods of countering it. If the allies of the creature using pack tactics are all taken out, then pack tactics no longer works.
12. Why is Pack Tactics often associated with weaker creatures?
The reason weaker creatures have pack tactics is to offset their typically low stats and damage, helping them to be more of a threat when in groups. Pack Tactics allows these weaker creatures to be a threat on the battlefield.
13. How does Longstrider interact with Pack Tactics?
While Longstrider increases a creature’s movement speed by 10 feet, this does not directly impact Pack Tactics itself. It might help creatures to get into a better position, but it does not change the function.
14. How do the rules for using Bag of Tricks interact with Pack Tactics?
The Bag of Tricks is a magical item that lets you conjure a random creature that is friendly to you. As these creatures are able to attack and be used to establish pack tactics, this can benefit those who do not have access to a large number of allies.
15. What are some common strategies for facing enemies with Pack Tactics?
Strategies include targeting individual creatures to split the group, using area-of-effect spells or abilities, or utilizing spells and attacks that cause incapacitating effects. Utilizing a battle formation of a few people may work to counter a group that utilizes pack tactics to a high degree.
Conclusion
Pack Tactics is a powerful ability that reflects the strength of teamwork and coordinated attacks, both in the natural world and in tabletop role-playing games. By understanding which creatures possess this ability and how it functions, you can better plan your combat strategies and create more engaging and dynamic encounters. Whether you are a player or a Dungeon Master, a thorough understanding of Pack Tactics can greatly enhance your overall gaming experience.