I have done this and been told that players (and I get it) want the easy stomp battles sometimes. Something to help them feel powerful.DM The scouts draw their long knives, but they look nervous about dealing with you.
P We won’t hurt them if we don’t have to, but we have to pass. Initiative?
DM No need. You easily overcome the scouts and... what will you do with them?
since then I have tried at least 2-3 times per campaign tried to set up a mirror fight from multi levels earlier, especially works good if it was a hard fight, that lets them breeze through it.
I even have in some times run things like max hp (instead of average) hobgoblins at level 3 or4 so that at level 8 or 9 I can rerun the same encounter with less than average hp so they can have 1 hard and 1 breeze just to give them the illusion of power.
I have never done this... but I expect someone would throw something at me...Or, on an earlier occasion...
DM The dragon’s rises, it’s scales sure ward against your weapons. It has nothing to fear from you.
P I’m ready to fight regardless, I draw my longsword and attack!
DM The dragon tolerates a few meaningless blows then bounds over you, blocking your exit. It inhales... any last words?
especially since there have been times I have had players hit so far above there level that they have taken out encounters that would be deadly for 2-3 levels higher then them.