D&D 5E How dangerous is a chimera?

[Buck_]

Me and some friends are playing our first d&d campaign and looks like we have to hunt a chimera... we have some prior fantasy knowledge so we know whar's it (big lion-goat-snake monster), we just don't know how dangerous it is.

Our dm said it's ok for us to ask around, as long as we don't ask about game stats. Last game session we asked around the village we stopped before the hunting starts, but the farmers just freak out and say we are doomed...

Are we really doomed? We are open to any chimera-hunting tips, btw!

 

[Andor]

It's big, It's got claws, fangs, venom, horns, and possibly flies and breathes fire. OTOH they are pretty dumb. If you guys are first level at charge at it like Leeroy Jenkins, you can expect about the same ending. Lure it out with bait, trap it somehow, and kill it with arrows and you should be fine.

Or maybe the beastie was misidentified and you're really hunting a jackelope. You can always hope.

 

[Eis]

all I know is that a buddy of mine was at a strip club and someone took pictures and now he is getting a divorce....all due to the chimera on his phone

I'll see myself out

 

[Arcshot]

Me and some friends are playing our first d&d campaign and looks like we have to hunt a chimera... we have some prior fantasy knowledge so we know whar's it (big lion-goat-snake monster), we just don't know how dangerous it is.

Our dm said it's ok for us to ask around, as long as we don't ask about game stats. Last game session we asked around the village we stopped before the hunting starts, but the farmers just freak out and say we are doomed...

Are we really doomed? We are open to any chimera-hunting tips, btw!

"I know the beast, that's right. Terrible monstrosity with three heads and large leathery wings. Why 3 heads you say? To eat you up 3 times faster, that's why! Back then, no one cared or sane enough to take up that Baron's contract but young and strong and brave we were. Hey, we had 7 heads plus that bookworm, despite his peculiar smell. That waz lot more than 3, if you can count with your fingers. Good odds. Did I say the gold was good too?"

"Alfric decided we choose a moonless night and sneaked into the crags. Hell did we know that thing could see us in the dark? I heard flapping wings over the rocks. Then everyone was on fire. Sneaky bastard."

"It was madness. The boys were burning and shouting. Bolts were sent flying but it did little to the beast. I saw a lion's head through the flames. That bastard bit off my arm and I still remember that awful pain. Some rammed their pikes in but poor Alfric was lifted off the ground. His scream stopped when the 2 heads spilt him apart."

"The beast only halted and flew into the night after bookworm threw bolts of lightning into it. He dragged me away before the beast came back with another rain of fire. The rest did not survive. I owe the bookworm one... Still don't like his smell though."

"Oh yes, y'all doomed, that's for sure. Better off hunting crickets instead."

 

[Quickleaf]

Me and some friends are playing our first d&d campaign and looks like we have to hunt a chimera... we have some prior fantasy knowledge so we know whar's it (big lion-goat-snake monster), we just don't know how dangerous it is.

Our dm said it's ok for us to ask around, as long as we don't ask about game stats. Last game session we asked around the village we stopped before the hunting starts, but the farmers just freak out and say we are doomed...

Are we really doomed? We are open to any chimera-hunting tips, btw!

Welcome to ENWorld!

Your question, of course, needs a reference point. What level are you guys and how many in your party?

It's a tough beastie that flies. Start thinking outside the box.

Hint: Do not, do not, do not confront it on open ground unless you have an army, and even then...reconsider.

 

[MarkB]

Don't worry, just make sure you have an ambiguously-gendered elven wizard on hand for the confrontation and you'll do fine.

 

[Henry]

I REALLY wanna see "Evan's Spiked Tentacles of Forced Intrusion" used on Durkula in the current strip.

As for Chimeras in 5E, without getting metagamey and spoiling your fun, reconnaissance is important. As you say, ask around, find a sage, etc. Track its spoor, stake out the lair, watch it, and you'll have a strong inclination if it's too powerful for you to face currently.

 

[Sage Genesis]

Without giving away anything about its stats:

If you're a first level party of typical size and ability then fighting a chimera is a Bad Idea™.

 

[ExploderWizard]

Well brave adventurers, what dangers have you faced so far?

Are you all fresh faced neophytes, venturing forth for the first time, or have you battled your share of nasty creatures? If this is indeed your first adventurous step into the world then I think it wise that you be in no hurry to complete this task.

If your band has experienced and survived some battles then I would still counsel a fair bit of caution ere you proceed. I would suggest that no less than a dozen fighting men be hired to help with this task. If your band lacks the funds for such an operation it is certainly an indication that you be not ready to undertake this task.

 

[Buck_]

Thanks everyone for the replies!

About our group, there are four of us, all 3rd level. We don't actually need to kill the beast, but we need enough blood to fill a vial. I was thinking about a dragon's dogma chimera (oops, looks like I can't post links here), so flying and fire-breathing is bad
We do have a ranger however, and my character can use a short bow.

About the sage, we only have access to farmers and each say a different thing. But they could sell us a sheep to create some sort of trap... if we can persuade the paladin to allow the sheep to be sacrificed

Btw, I have to google what's a leroy jenkins lol but no, that's not our style. We usually are WAY careful!

And great tale, Arcshot! Let's hope ours have a happier ending!