The release of the 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Dungeons & Dragons supplement, 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Spelljammer: Adventures in Space, adds a wide range of content that allows DMs to run campaigns set within the far reaches of Wildspace and the Astral Plane. Among the most integral elements of Spelljammer are the Spelljamming Ships that can be piloted, allowing adventurers to reliably set out on interstellaꦯr voyages.
While there are a variety of ships perfect for adventuring parties, there are also several ships better suited for NPC encounters rather than for a party's use. So we're going to delve into the various ships of Spelljammer and see which vessels are best suited for NPC encounters!
5 Space Gꦫalleon
While Spelljamming Ships come in all shapes and sizes, Space Galleons are the ship type that are visually most similar to a traditional sea-faring vessel. From the outside observer, these space-worthy galleons are capable of sailing through either the sea or the stars, allowing them to ble🐼nd into environments that may not be familiar with Spelljamming.
Sizable ships with 400 hit points and a crew size of twenty creatures, a Space Galleon is the perfect ship to be manned by anything from space-faring pirates to a group of 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Githyanki native to the Astral Sea. For a party that doesn't have a Spelljamming Ship of their own, perhaps the crew of such a ship could be capable of transporting a party to their desired destination in exchange for some kind of favor.
4 Star Moth
Among the most valuable types of Spelljamming Ships, Star Moths are valued at 40,000 gold and are the favored𝕴 vessel of their Astral Elf creators. With just as many hit points as a Space Galleon, these sizable ships have a rec🅘ommended crew size of thirteen creatures, featuring a mangonel and two ballistae.
Though these are among the most elegant ships available, it's unlikely a party would be able to afford or obtain one. However, they can be a great option for introducing Astral Elf NPCs, whether they're friendly towards a party or if they're antagonistic.
3 Nautiloid
Among the most visually distinct Spelljamming Ships, Nautiloids are easily identifiable through their numerous tentacles, reminiscent of their 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Mind Flayer owners. With a sizable six stories and supporting crews of up to twenty, Nautiloids are most notably capable of attacking other Spelljamming Ships with their enormous tentacles, while allowing for its crew to be easily teleported to other planes of reality or other locations within the Plane they're in.
Mind Flayers are among the most iconic antagonistic monsters in D&D, meaning that spotting a Nautiloid can quickly tip off a party that they're in for a fight. However, for those looking to subvert their party's expectations, a Nautiloid that has been salvaged or overtaken by former captives of Mind Flayers can make for a fun and memorable encounter for an adventuring party.
2 ꦕ Tyrant Ship
While Star Moths and Nautiloids are most often found in the possession of Astral Elves and Mind Flayers respectively, they can still hypothetically be piloted by other types of creatures. Tyrant Ships, on the other hand, can only be piloted by 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Beholders. This means that the only option for thes🍎e ships are for NPC encounters and battles as a party would be completely u🍃nable to pilot one.
It's said that Beholders traverse these ships looking to conquer worlds while actively seeking out other Beholders to destroy. Though it would be easy to employ this ship as an antagonistic force, as shown by the lawful neutral aligned Spelljammer NPC, Large Luigi, a pleasant Beholder Innkeeper, not all Beholders need to be evil. As a DM, playing against type can be quite fun, and this ship could be used to play with a party's expectations, potentially featuring Beholders that seek help against a common foe that threatens both groups, such as a Cosmic Horror.
1 Bombard
Few races are as synonymous with the Spelljammer setting than the hippo-headed Giff, a people known for their expertise with firearms. Among the most powerful and expensive ships in all of Spelljammer, Bombards are the creations of Giff, notably having access to a massive cannon capable of dealing a devastating 16d10 damage. While a party would be hard-pressed to acquire ☂a Bombard with ease due to their substantial 50,000 gold price tags, they are the perfect ship for introducing Giff NPCs into your campaign.
As this ship's signature cannon requires the work of four creatures to fire a single time, if a party is able to temporarily gain passage on a Bombard owned by allied Giff, a DM can allow their players the pleasure of operating such an impressive weapon. Alternatively, if a DM truly wants to give their players a frightening challenge, overzealous Giff Warlords may have an interest in turning this cannon in your party's direction.