You know, I will say this, though. It is true that there aren't really a huge variety of spider types in 5e. Giant, Phase and Giant Wolf, along with Swarm of Spiders.
BUT, that said, why not use ALL these types in the spider lair instead of 2 Ettercaps and 4 Phase and 1 mama plus some babies maybe?
So, instead of how it is now, why not start with two Swarms of spiders that attack almost as soon as you enter the Apprentice lair with her journals? Then, maybe 2 more as you round a bend. Thus, showing this lair is FULL of spiders. Then, while roaming, two Giant Wolf Spiders attack, dropping from unseen webs above. Then two more.
Suddenly, as you are nearing the mama lair, THAT'S when you encounter the Ettercaps. Then, finally, in the heart of her lair, you face Mama and 2 Phase Spiders with proper stats. However, Mama has twice Phase Spider stats and can cast some magic with spell slots, etc. Maybe she can Poison Spray you and such. Whatever. The point is, give us baby monsters to enjoy slaughtering that weaken the characters a little. Then hit the player with the boss fight. Don't make every fight so tough. I'd love that lair to be full of baby spiders and then Mama comes out to play.
i agree with this, that fight could be done so much better. They need a better AI that uses better tactics and all attacks. Right now it's just spaming same things, range attacks all the time, same as Ettercaps... and this problem is all over EA.
The fight is not hard at all so i can't agree with that part and even if they used RAW stats that wouldn't change. Homebrew is not the problem in my book but other things need to improve AI attacks, monster placement and so on.
But you are right on this part, not sure why they only used Phase spider and Ettercaps other types need to be added, maybe a gobo fight vs spiders could happen somewhere and then you join in. That zone is so cool and fights could be designed in all sorts of way, surprise attacks, web traps they could even add a Drider on nightmare difficulty.
An that's one more thing i have to say we have no clue what stat will they use on harder difficulty. Right now it's walk in the part and even if they used RAw stats that wouldn't change.
