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I'm working on a dungeon and I want to have a solo encounter with a single basilisk in the hallway. It isn't the last monster in the dungeon; that I'm going with a surprise, however it shouldn't be a quick fight either. I have a few CR 1/4 trash mobs in the first half followed by some clever traps.

About when would you suggest I spring this on my players?

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    – V2Blast
    Commented Feb 16, 2023 at 18:40

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Two, Three, or Never

A Basilisk (CR3) is worth 700xp.

Checking Kobold Fight Club, I see that 700xp is a "deadly" encounter for a group of five level-1 PCs. It's a "hard" encounter for a group of five level-two PCs, or a "medium" encounter for a group of five level-three PCs.

Please think carefully before using this monster in your dungeon, because it has a chance of causing (essentially) PC death to any character who sees it. If PC death would be bad for your game, you shouldn't use a monster that is likely to cause it. (Or see this discussion about petrification for low-level parties.)

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    \$\begingroup\$ My answer here gives some pretty detailed guidance about implementing petrification at lower levels. \$\endgroup\$
    – Thomas Markov
    Commented Feb 16, 2023 at 18:48

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