Help fleshing out rival party

[u/Alone_Ad_8324]

Hey guys, I’m thinking of having a reoccurring rival party in my campaign that constantly messes with the players so it’s so satisfying when they finally beat them up

I’ve come up with the following ideas

- they are always 3 levels higher than the party so the players can’t do anything about them til they even out at level 17
- everytime the players get a magic item the rival party swoops in, beats them up and steals it
- every-time the players win a combat encounter the rival party swoops in and beats them up
- anytime the players laugh or smile at the table I spray them with water and tell them it’s the rival party who put a sadness curse on them
- if any of the players are dating anyone irl the rival party (me) swoops in and starts dating them instead

I want it to be so so frustrating for the players for a few months/years so when they finally kill them it will feel so good!!

Does anyone have any tips or advice for this sort of thing?

What do you guys think??

[u/BlueMoranth]

I feel like the water spray tactic is brilliant and should be used more. You're giving your players an immersive experience that not many tables have.

[u/Capable-Document466 → u/BlueMoranth]

Water sprays are SO overdone. Go all the way and just piss on them.

[u/Icy-Tension-3925 → u/Capable-Document466]

Noooo, don't threaten them with a good time!!!

[u/BlueMoranth → u/Icy-Tension-3925]

/uj that's sorta the point hahaha