In previous threads, I was discussing flaws that I had perceived with 4e, especially regarding attack values and hit points. From my own experiences, it seemed that the math was weighted in such a way that everyone was almost always hitting, slowly plinking away at a vast pool of hit points. Well, after a particularly egregious near-TPK last night in which the party fought a group of spiders and my warpriest of Pelor--you know, that guy who tosses out saving throws and heals like candy--couldn't keep up with the constant poison damage, I decided to look up the monsters used. The most heinous offender was this ridiculous swarm of spiders. It got free attacks if you started your turn next to it, and it did something like 2d6 + 5 damage and 5 ongoing poison damage. It also had a ridiculous 19 or 20 Reflex, something that made it difficult for even the rogue to hit, and it had the half damage resistance for non-area attacks.
Upon scanning the Monster Manual, I realized the DM had put a party full of level 2 characters against an encounter that included a level 7 soldier. Bloodweb spider swarm or something, and it had a +10 vs. Reflex attack.
We're level 2. The highest Reflex in the party is around 15. I'm sure the encounter was within the XP guidelines, but there's no way we can fight a monster with a +5 bonus to its attacks and defenses.
I suppose my complaints with the system can be dismissed until I actually play the system properly.
Upon scanning the Monster Manual, I realized the DM had put a party full of level 2 characters against an encounter that included a level 7 soldier. Bloodweb spider swarm or something, and it had a +10 vs. Reflex attack.
We're level 2. The highest Reflex in the party is around 15. I'm sure the encounter was within the XP guidelines, but there's no way we can fight a monster with a +5 bonus to its attacks and defenses.
I suppose my complaints with the system can be dismissed until I actually play the system properly.