Some damage can be mitagated vie using illithid powers but, still not enough. I could cheese the barrel to deal some damage to the Zhents but I'm totally against that. Surface from spells is meh, I can see a reason for them. Even with using the barrel theres just not enough RAW damage/actions your able to do to compensate for whats coming at you. It's over double your actions, and if all those are hitting you, then it gets even worse cause your healer is being a heal bot, and can't do damage. Bonus actions are being used to burn through your healing potions, instead of being used to provide buffs. Then there is fact that SH without proper build can't hold concentration up if she's hit. Which takes out bless, or bane to either buff you, or debuff your enemies.
