Guard
Medium Humanoid (any race), any alignment
25 XP
Actions
Spear
Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) piercing damage, or 5 (1d8 + 1) piercing damage if used with two hands to make a melee attack.
Quick Reference
Running This Encounter
Guards are versatile humanoid combatants ideal for representing organized military forces, town watch, or castle sentries. Use them in small groups (2-4) to create challenging encounters without overwhelming the party, and leverage their armor and formation tactics to make combat tactically interesting rather than purely about raw damage output. Their relatively low HP means they can fall quickly, but their decent AC and weapon attacks make them threatening in numbers. Consider positioning them defensively behind barricades, doorways, or in coordinated formations to emphasize tactical challenge.
Combat Tactics
Guards fight with disciplined tactics, preferring to stay in formation and flank enemies when possible to gain advantage on their attacks. They prioritize eliminating dangerous spellcasters or ranged threats first, but will focus fire on whatever poses the most immediate danger to their unit. When outnumbered or taking heavy casualties, they may attempt to retreat, sound alarms, or call for reinforcements rather than fighting to the death.
Environment & Setting
Guards are best encountered in civilized settings such as city gates, guard posts, castle corridors, bridge checkpoints, or fortified outposts where their organized nature and armor make sense. Terrain with cover like wooden palisades, stone walls, or furniture-filled rooms allows them to use their environment tactically.