The game went pretty good considering though. We definitely learn really fast what works and what doesn't. We've gained a fairly good idea of what to expect and where of course our DM throws in some pretty good variations just to mix things up a little. The overall game is playing out well and Steve is a very good tactician which makes the game that much more challenging. I myself am actually having a lot of fun with the Lair Assault campaign.

 It should also be noted that many players are taking notice and joining in. There seems to be a level of challenge in this campaign that attracts seasoned game players. They know that the odds are against them going into the game and everyone knows that Steve is very talented and imaginative as a DM making the challenge that much greater. Maybe that combination is the lure? Knowing that our combined efforts and helping each other with healing and spotting aren't going to be enough in itself we (or some of us) continue to modify our characters in various ways hoping to find that winning combination that will not only improve our chance of survival, but produce hard hitting attacks.  

 At this particular point, after playing through my 4^th attempt at Lair Assault, it seems that trying to build a character with the greatest percentage chance to hit is key. As a ranger I selected a +2 great bow and chose hidden sniper. Then, when our cleric uses bless on the party I get another +1 to hit. After adding all my bonuses possible I'm usually around +13 to hit enemies of AC 19-22. Those are pretty good odds I think. Sometimes I think it is more important to get the hits in than try and focus on doing massive damage. What good is a great spell or big melee weapon if you can't hit the guy?

 Usually we like to start somewhere around 6ish, but this doesn't always happen with people getting off work and traffic. A couple of the players this time weren't prepared when they got there so we had to fire up Character Builder at the shop and get them up and going quick. Our regular fighter couldn't make it so we had a friend build up a tiefling paladin for a healing tank. It actually worked out pretty good. We still didn't have a wizard in the party and I think we may be missing out.  

 The game actually went pretty well and the difference was the added two players. They had never played LA before so they really weren't prepared for what was going to happen. After a couple of blasts from the hell hounds they got the picture of the difficulty level. Now is a good time I should probably correct myself from an earlier post. I think I made mention that the hell hounds use a breath blast weapon, that is incorrect. The do some kind of blast 3 full body explosion and it really screws up the party if they tend to stay huddled together.

 Without giving away the dungeon and spoiling it for others, I would have to just give some simple advice after running through this 3 times so far. This is what I have learned: Punch up your class major attributes as far as you can, healing potions, fire resistance, everyone needs distance weapons, climbers kits and thieves tools, try to focus on arcana, athletics and acrobatics, the shortest route is not always the best route, help each other as a team (no one gets left behind), go in expecting to die.

I think our tactics were right and we definitely came prepared, we just couldn't get any good rolls that night. Not only this but the DM also included a second hell hound since we had met the minimum requirements for PC numbers. Over the period of 12 rounds I don't think I rolled over a 10 to hit more than 2 or 3 times. It was absolutely terrible to watch and it was all in the luck of the dice.

Even though our fighter had really good intentions of hitting hard on the front line it just wasn't happening. The fire aura of the hell hounds was killing him. Then combine the ongoing fire damage with their breath weapon and it just tore him up. The cleric in the party used up almost every one of his healing powers just trying to keep the fighter alive. He must have taken the hardest beating out of all of us. As the ranger in the group, I was actually able to keep a fair distance from everything enough to be able to stay out of the aura trouble I just couldn't hit the broad side of a barn that night.

I ended up in a discussion with my buddy John who was playing the fighter. I asked if it was his “typical” character style and he said he normally plays a warlock which focuses on fire spells. Not a very effective character against fire enemies so he went with “tank” type characters. I flipped through the pages of the PHB and found some great cold spells that would accompany a wizard. I don't know if he will come in this week with that character or not. I just think in the Lair Assault campaign it would be prudent for player to focus on their playing style strengths which would be their preferred classes.

This obviously can make for an unbalanced party, but at least we are starting off with our particular choses classes that we are comfortable with and know how to work them to their greatest advantage. The ranger isn't really all that great of a class in close quarter situations like the map for Lair Assault, but I've been playing the class for so long I know fairly well how to get around that situation. I'll keep playing the ranger.