By Alan McCoy from Dungeons & Dragons: Fundamentals
How to build challenging encounters against an Efreet
Note: This has been prepared utilizing only the 5E Core Rules. The Genies can be found in the Monster Manual pages 141-146. I will be including some NON-RAW recommended changes at the end of the essay.
Efreeti are creatures out of story and legend. An Efreet is created when a mortal’s spiritual energy merges with the primordial matter of the Elemental Plane of Fire. The transformation is complete, the only vestige of the spirits previous existence is a physical resemblance that includes gender and one or two remnant personality traits.
Efreeti rule their slaves as oppressive tyrants, demanding obedience and punishing even the slightest transgressions cruelly. Successfully ruthless slaves can be promoted to overseers and are given whips as marks of authority and to use to keep the rank and file slaves in line. Efreeti view all other creatures as either an enemy or potential slave.
Efreeti maintain outposts on the Material Plane typically inside volcanos, from there the Efreeti stage slave raids. These captives are then sold in the slave markets of the fabled City of Brass. Enriched by this endeavor, the Efreeti will then take its leisure on its estate, most likely a black domed fortress of black glass and basalt surrounded by burning lakes of fire.
In arcane circles it is well known that genies are masters of the element from which they are drawn, and that a rare few possess the power to grant wishes. For these reasons, Wizards and other spell-casters have been to attempt to bind these creatures into service, using them as the focal point in the creation of bottles, instruments, powerful rings, or iron flasks.
Efreeti strongly resent any attempt to force them into servitude. They are ruthless and relentless in pursuit of vengeance against anyone who has wronged them. A mortal desiring even brief service from an Efreeti might be able to gain cooperation through tribute and flattery, but if they failed to properly word the contract, they would probably find themselves a newly acquired slave.
The Efreeti appear to look like hulking brutes, but they are far from it. Fine silk drapes their bright red or coal black (their choice) skin. They are fond of ornaments such as golden rings, chains, armbands, all glittering with jewels. An Efreet carries a massive two-handed scimitar when they feel the need for a weapon.
When an Efreet flies, it’s lower body transforms into a column of smoke and embers. The Efreeti are masters of fire, completely immune to it, but able to create it at a whim.
Efreeti are Lawful Evil in Alignment, they have been known to traffic with the hells and the devils.
Step 1) Let’s review what we know about the Efreet
Immense Strength and Constitution, Very high Charisma, Intelligence, Wisdom, above average Dexterity.
Very fast in the Air (60 feet/round), Walk (40 feet).
Immune to Fire Damage.
Darkvision 120 feet, Passive Perception (recalculated 15, 12 RAW).
Powerful Spellcasters using Charisma as a spellcasting ability.
Powerful in Melee, it can use its scimitar to attack twice each round.
Can Hurl balls of flame at targets 120 feet away.
Step 2) Determine the probable Strategy
Strategy is always about determining the goals and desires of the creature in question and determining how far they will go to accomplish their goal and attain their desires. As the Efreeti have unique personalities and highly developed intellects, trying to determine what an individual’s strategy will be is nearly impossible.
Efreeti would rather fight than talk and will only stop to listen if it is convinced that you pose a significant threat. It is always in the mood to capture slaves however and will attempt to do so if given the opportunity.
I will limit myself to the following situation, an Efreeti has resisted an attempt by a Wizard to imprison it in a magical ring, it is very angry at the affront and is attempting to punish and kill.
Having escaped the confines of the Wizard’s Tower, the Efreeti has found itself on the outskirts of a seaside village, which has been built near cliffside, the waves crashing below.
Step 3) Determine Tactics
The Efreeti will Conjure a Fire Elemental to attack the party, while it flies out and hovers above the sea. It will cast Tongues to ensure that it understands the language used. It will also utilize Detect Magic to identify the strongest foes and spellcasters.
The Efreeti will utilize its Major Image spell to create the illusion of land and cliffside where none exists. Any warrior to charges will drop to their death on the rocks below.
The Efreeti will use its Hurl Flame ability to toss balls of fire at targets, preferring spellcasters or ranged weapon types.
When the Efreeti decides that it is time to engage, it will utilize its Wall of Fire Spell to immolate targets or isolate targets from one another. Then it will cast Enlarge upon itself, itself becoming Huge.
While this will add some damage to the already formidable scimitar attacks, the main reason is that the increased size will give a 10-foot reach, enabling the Efreeti to avoid the mortal attacks, while continuing his own.
When not utilizing the reach effect, the Efreeti will attack from inside its wall of fire, or from the inside of any burning material. Being completely immune to fire has its advantages.
When engaging in Melee, the Efreeti will fly down, make its strikes and then fly up and away. Preferred targets include spellcasters and ranged.
The Efreeti will order its fire elemental minion to charge through enemy combatants, setting them on fire while it focuses attacks on a single enemy.
Alternately, it might decide to grapple an opponent, fly high and drop them.
Finally, an Efreeti can decide to banish a truly pesky foe by using its plane shift ability, it is reluctant to do so however as this will preclude the harvesting of slaves.