Want to make your combat more interesting and dynamic? Then you should try Pack Tactics. It’s a feature some D&D 5e creatures have that gives them advantage when they’re not alone. Granted, they have to be close to each other. But it’s a cool and realistic mechanic that can definitely spice up your combat. For more tips on how to use Pack Tactics, read on! 

The creature has advantage on attack rolls against another creature if at least one of the attacking creature’s allies is within 5 feet of the target creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
– Monster Manual – 5e, D&D Basic Rules

How to use Pack Tactics in your combat narration

Pack Tactics are meant to simulate a hunter-like mentality. Think of a pack of wolves hunting a prey. They move almost in sync. You can use this in your narrative. For example, if a hunter sends their beasts to attack one of the PCs, you can describe how the beasts move as one as they get the drop on the player. It will sound cool, but it’ll also make more sense to the players that the beasts get advantage. 

Practical tips

So what if there’s only creatures attacking the party? Let the creatures share their initiative. This way, they’re going to strike your party at the same time. This will give your PCs the feeling they’re being hunted. To play into this, you can also make the creatures target only one player, or try to surround the group. This will definitely make your combat more exciting and dynamic. 

Can player characters use Pack Tactics?

The official answer: no. It used to be an option if you played a Kobold. This race had the ability, and was officially a player character race. But with the release of Monster of the Multiverse in May 2022, they removed this option. Now, no player character races have the ability. 

Of course, the beauty of D&D is that everything’s up to you. So if you allow your players to get this ability, then go for it! Another option would be flanking. If you opt for flanking rules, your players will still get advantage when they’re flanking an opponent. It’s not Pack Tactics, but it’s similar enough. 

Pack Tactics 5e FAQs

Now you know how cool these tactics can be. Hopefully, the next time you’re building an encounter, you might want to include a creature with Pack Tactics. And if you want more tips on how to create dynamic and interesting combat, you should read our 5 tips for 5e encounters. Thanks for reading!