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3 months ago ::
Mar 10, 2013 - 3:22AM
#1
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is it just me or do the monsters in the dark sun monster manual 4e NEVER miss PC's? my PCs are lvl 20 now, and for the past few levels i have been using monsters averaging 3 levels higher than they are, and they NEVER miss them unless i roll a 1. is party lvl +3 not the appropriate formula for encounters?been having to drop monster HP by about 1/3 to keep from TPKing my PCs! and my PCs aint no slouches! is this someting dark sun specific? i have never DMd out of dark sun for 4e so......iFrame RemovediFrame Removed
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3 months ago ::
Mar 11, 2013 - 11:13AM
#2
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Date Joined:
Feb 24, 2010
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When I first started I did the same as you and put in monsters higher than the PC's and they would get wiped half the time. What I do is use monsters the same level as the PC's and 1/2 their HP's and double their damage. The fights are quicker and still lethal. To me the trick is finding that sweet spot where the pc's are challenged. Fights can't be too easy or a TPK every fight or they will get bored. What I do works well with my group. The extra damage raises the threat and the 1/2 HP's keeps the fights shorter.
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3 months ago ::
Mar 11, 2013 - 4:33PM
#3
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hmmm ill have to try that. even in instances where they are faring well, it just turns into a grind 1/2 way thru the battle, as the enemys still have like 100 hp when bloodied loliFrame RemovediFrame Removed
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2 months ago ::
Apr 02, 2013 - 9:27AM
#4
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- Dragon Slayer
- If only he would apply himself
- Dammit Jim, this is Star Trek, not D&D!
Date Joined:
Jan 31, 2006
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Shaving hit points off and adding to damage works well in most cases (though it can fail if your party can kill off monsters very quickly).
There are some monsters where the hit points can really be too high - especially with Elites and Brutes (and Brute Elites). Going +3 on levels will certainly do that. I would aim for no higher than level +2 for 2 of the monsters, and keep the rest at-level.
I also like to vary fights. Just as in the movies, life is better when one combat features the PCs fighting a small army and cutting through their foes... then the next combat is against a few super-hard massive creatures. That variance makes things interesting and keeps players on their toes.
You don't need to challenge them every time. It is usually better for everyone to have some fights be cakewalks. This also frees you up to try very different things and to not worry when an encounter is too easy. Try 30 minions of lower level defenses, but with +1 PC level in damage and attacks, all in waves. Try an encounter where the real danger is the terrain. Etc.
When it comes to defenses, I like to see both monsters and PCs hit often. Dark Sun monsters tend to hit hard but have low defenses compared to monsters from other sources. And, if you limit heavy armor, PC defenses can be a bit lower. That can work really well, where instead of hitting 50-60% of the time, everyone is hitting 70-80% of the time. It speeds up play, adds to the feeling of a brutal world, and is generally more fun.
All of the above varies depending on your taste and that of your players. I encourage an open dialogue - is it a problem to tweak for you, or for your players, or both?
Follow my blog and Twitter feed with Dark Sun campaign design and DM tips! Dark Sun's Ashes of Athas Campaign is now available for home play (PM me with your e-mail to order the campaign adventures).
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2 months ago ::
Apr 02, 2013 - 10:19AM
#5
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funny you should mention using terrain. last game took place in the dead lands and the terrain was WAY worse than the lvl 15 undead i put them against. it worked out really well. i do like the idea of lower defenses and higher dpr out of pc's and monsters, and varying the levels of baddies in an encounter. thanks for the tips!iFrame RemovediFrame Removed
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