Deconstructed: Gorgon
A Tier 2 humanoid with deadly aim and a stony gaze. Look upon them at your peril!
Our inaugural outing explored the Tier 1 Acid Burrower. This time around it’s the Gorgon, a terrifying Tier 2 humanoid that will set your players hearts racing before turning them to stone.
Our plan is to cycle through Tiers from post to post (ie. Tier 1, 2, 3, 4) rather than drone on about all Tier 1’s before graduating to Tier 2. That way GMs at all stages and experience levels can get their hands dirty with a big bad before inflicting them on an unsuspecting party.
BTW—thank you for all the kind words and activity around this series. We're thrilled you’re enjoying it and hope it will be a lasting contribution to the community we adore.
THE GORGON COMES TO US from Greek myth and in Daggerheart, without the baggage of being confused for a mechanical bull. This snake-crowned Adversary has some unique mechanics and interesting features that build on its mythology. It also packs a punch with its powerful Sunsear Shortbow, and living snakes for hair, making it dangerous from any distance.
In discussion of damage potential and scaling Adversaries, the Gorgon inevitably comes up because of its very swingy standard attack. I find the unique way the designers crafted its Petrifying Gaze to be a more interesting topic because of individual Countdowns which can get very tense at the table. It lacks the canonical weakness to its own reflection, but don’t let that stop your players from using it.
The Gorgon’s stats put it right in the middle of most Solos until we get to its attack. It has a high attack bonus for its tier (with only the Mortal Hunter having a higher one) and the highest damage potential of the entire tier with a whopping 2d20+3 magic damage at Far range.
