BattleCast encounter gallery

D&D 5e Encounter Gallery

Curated D&D 5e encounter simulations from BattleCast: classic monsters, boss fights, low-level tests, and unusual matchups for DMs.

Starter Party Tests

Low-level fights DMs often reach for when tuning a first-session adventuring day.

Goblin Ambush vs Level 1 Party - A quick benchmark for surprise pressure, weak armor, and fragile first-level heroes. Goblin ambush (6) vs Level 1 party (4) on Forest Clearing.
Kobold Warren vs Level 1 Party - A small-pack pressure test for action economy and early tactical positioning. Kobold warren (8) vs Level 1 party (4) on Small Blank Grid.
Skeleton Patrol vs Level 1 Party - A clean undead baseline for ranged damage, AC, and fragile first-level attrition. Skeleton patrol (5) vs Level 1 party (4) on Grass Plain.
Bandit Roadblock vs Level 1 Party - A grounded humanoid fight for testing cover, focus fire, and survivability. Bandit roadblock (5) vs Level 1 party (4) on Stone Bridge.

Recognizable 5e threats that make useful reference points for party durability.

Owlbear vs Level 1 Party - A famous melee bruiser against fragile heroes who can still win with focus fire. Owlbear (1) vs Level 1 party (4) on Forest Clearing.
Ogre Trio vs Level 2 Party - A swingy damage check where several big hits can change the whole encounter. Ogre trio (3) vs Level 2 party (4) on Small Blank Grid.
Troll vs Level 4 Party - A regeneration benchmark for whether the party can end a fight decisively. Troll (1) vs Level 4 party (4) on Forest Clearing.
Displacer Beast vs Level 1 Party - A mobile predator benchmark for displacement, reach, and prone pressure. Displacer Beast (1) vs Level 1 party (4) on Forest Clearing.

Solo and centerpiece encounters where the simulator can expose variance fast.

Young Green Dragon vs Level 5 Party - A breath-weapon and flight benchmark for the start of tier-two play. Young Green Dragon (1) vs Level 5 party (4) on Forest Clearing.
Beholder vs Level 8 Party - A control-heavy boss test built around rays, positioning, and failed saves. Beholder (1) vs Level 8 party (6) on Standard Blank Grid.
Vampire vs Level 4 Party - A durability and attrition test for legendary-feeling undead pressure. Vampire (1) vs Level 4 party (6) on Stone Bridge.
Lich vs Level 10 Party - A high-risk caster fight that shows how often a party can survive the opener. Lich (1) vs Level 10 hero party (6) on Grass Plain.

Fights that look tempting on paper and deserve a careful simulation pass.

Hydra vs Level 4 Party - A multiattack endurance test that punishes low damage and poor focus fire. Hydra (1) vs Level 4 party (4) on Grass Plain.
Mind Flayer vs Level 5 Party - A save-or-swing encounter for checking how often a single failed save snowballs. Mind Flayer (1) vs Level 5 party (4) on Standard Blank Grid.
Fire Giant vs Level 5 Party - A heavy-armor melee benchmark for damage throughput and front-line collapse. Fire Giant (1) vs Level 5 party (4) on Stone Bridge.
Purple Worm vs Level 4 Party - A monster-sized survivability check for swallow risk and concentrated damage. Purple Worm (1) vs Level 4 party (6) on Large Blank Grid.

Search-friendly spectacle pages that still teach useful lessons about monster design.

Tarrasque vs Three Ancient Red Dragons - A marquee benchmark for grounded durability against elite flying action economy. Tarrasque (1) vs Three Ancient Red Dragons (3) on Huge Blank Grid.
Planetar vs Balor - A celestial-versus-fiend fight for comparing radiant damage, reach, and fire immunity. Planetar (1) vs Balor (1) on Large Blank Grid.
Dragon Turtle vs Purple Worm - A huge creature clash for steam breath, poison burst, swallow pressure, and raw staying power. Dragon Turtle (1) vs Purple Worm (1) on Large Blank Grid.
Planetar vs Adult Red Dragon - A celestial-versus-dragon capstone for radiant burst and breath pressure. Planetar (1) vs Adult Red Dragon (1) on Large Blank Grid.