Different Recharge Rates

I use 3 milestones --> Extended Rest.

(No, it's not 6 combats. It's 6 *encounters*. Usually 4 combats and 2 "other".)

However, I do also allow an Extended Rest to happen any time there's a major break in the action. Regardless of how recently the last one occurred.

When the party's engaged in overland travel, I normally only allow an extended rest when they've reached their destination, or, if it's a very long journey, whenever they stay at an inn/village/town/city for the night.

When they're exploring a dungeon, there's also rarely a chance for an extended rest. However, my dungeons tend to be small affairs, so there typically aren't more than four combat encounters. Also, since I don't track xp and simply award level-ups after story milestones, the pcs are free to avoid (some) combat encounters or (try to) resolve them via negotiation or other non-combat means (usually a skill challenge).

Joshua Randall said:

I use 3 milestones --> Extended Rest.

(No, it's not 6 combats. It's 6 *encounters*. Usually 4 combats and 2 "other".)

However, I do also allow an Extended Rest to happen any time there's a major break in the action. Regardless of how recently the last one occurred.

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Yup the only edition that can be made to follow the action instead of forcing the action while actually being balanced.

Garthanos said:

Yup the only edition that can be made to follow the action instead of forcing the action while actually being balanced.

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The balance is a key reason for the group's consensus to leave 5e and go to 4e. That, and the robust tactical options in combat.
I designed the setting to fit both 4e and 5e, and I'll be running games for different groups in different editions.