So in my new game even though we are not using A5e this time, a rule I have kept from the game that I have found is a big win at my table. And that is the notion that legendary resistance always "weakens" the creature in some way shape or form.
Personally, I think Legendary Resistance is one of the worst 5e monster mechanics. I completely understand why it is exists, but there is nothing more "feels bad man" than a player who actually gets off their big spell, than to be told "sorry, it did nothing". But I found that adding in these little weakening does a lot to soothe the hurt, the spellcaster can take comfort that they are still contributing, even if its not in the way they wanted.
In fact I often will go more hardcore than A5e does.... one thing I've been using a lot is that in order to use legendary resistance the BBEG has to sacrifice one of their minions (within lets say 60 feet) and draw in its energy. Or maybe 2-4 minions if they are particularly weak. This has been a big hit, when the spellcaster hears their spell didn't hurt the BBEG, but that one minion just goes up in smoke, they still get to cheer. And it provides some fun tactics at the table, my players have tried to kill off the minions first or isolate them from the BBEG long enough for the caster to try their spell without worrying about LR. And I find that small layer has added quite a bit to the tactics of a big fight.
So thank you A5e, while a small change, I think it has made a very noticeable improvement to what is otherwise a very poor mechanic imo.
Personally, I think Legendary Resistance is one of the worst 5e monster mechanics. I completely understand why it is exists, but there is nothing more "feels bad man" than a player who actually gets off their big spell, than to be told "sorry, it did nothing". But I found that adding in these little weakening does a lot to soothe the hurt, the spellcaster can take comfort that they are still contributing, even if its not in the way they wanted.
In fact I often will go more hardcore than A5e does.... one thing I've been using a lot is that in order to use legendary resistance the BBEG has to sacrifice one of their minions (within lets say 60 feet) and draw in its energy. Or maybe 2-4 minions if they are particularly weak. This has been a big hit, when the spellcaster hears their spell didn't hurt the BBEG, but that one minion just goes up in smoke, they still get to cheer. And it provides some fun tactics at the table, my players have tried to kill off the minions first or isolate them from the BBEG long enough for the caster to try their spell without worrying about LR. And I find that small layer has added quite a bit to the tactics of a big fight.
So thank you A5e, while a small change, I think it has made a very noticeable improvement to what is otherwise a very poor mechanic imo.
