At some point I'm going to try and deploy "mage" and "priest" enemies in D&D without using the spell system from the PHB. Just need a couple of special abilities with the right flavor. CR 7 spellcaster in the 5EMM has 16 spells/cantrips and a life expectancy of about 4 rounds.

— Matt Colville Saw Endgame, Spoil Away (@mattcolville) April 28, 2019

I wonder if using Warlock casting would be a better match for NPC casters – a couple of spell slots, a small selection of spells, and some cantrips seems more manageable for NPCs. I just want to run the monsters, I don't want to have to bust out a second book and look up spell descriptions when I already have the monster I want to run in front of me.

— Matt Colville Saw Endgame, Spoil Away (@mattcolville) April 29, 2019

I just want to run the monsters, I don't want to have to bust out a deck of cards and look up spell descriptions when I already have the monster I want to run in front of me.

— Matt Colville Saw Endgame, Spoil Away (@mattcolville) April 29, 2019