D&D General Is power creep bad?

[Micah Sweet]

Assuming you know/recognize the monster.

Well, the DM ideally should be telegraphing this stuff.

 

[James Gasik]

Assuming you know/recognize the monster.

Exactly, since there are many many monsters throughout D&D's history, and "monster knowledge" isn't even supported by most versions of the game. IE, the classic "you have never faced a troll before, so how would you know to use fire" routine.

 

[Vaalingrade]

I never knew how many folks felt actively oppressed by having to be the DM until I came to these boards.

 

[Bill Zebub]

Exactly, since there are many many monsters throughout D&D's history, and "monster knowledge" isn't even supported by most versions of the game. IE, the classic "you have never faced a troll before, so how would you know to use fire" routine.

But @Micah Sweet 's comment about telegraphing is spot on. Let the PCs find a dessicated corpse in the hallway that a cleric can tell has been level drained, or find a journal that describes the effects. Something that lets the players know that ahead lies something that drains levels.

 

[James Gasik]

But @Micah Sweet 's comment about telegraphing is spot on. Let the PCs find a dessicated corpse in the hallway that a cleric can tell has been level drained, or find a journal that describes the effects. Something that lets the players know that ahead lies something that drains levels.

And if that is telegraphed, so the players are on their guard, I guess that's fine "hey guys, don't go this way".

My issue with level drain is there aren't many ways to counter it or even strategize around it. Negative Energy Protection certainly wasn't fullproof in 2e, you couldn't rely on Turn Undead to scare the creature off, so your go-to strategy was...try to kill it with ranged attacks?

 

[Reynard]

And if that is telegraphed, so the players are on their guard, I guess that's fine "hey guys, don't go this way".

My issue with level drain is there aren't many ways to counter it or even strategize around it. Negative Energy Protection certainly wasn't fullproof in 2e, you couldn't rely on Turn Undead to scare the creature off, so your go-to strategy was...try to kill it with ranged attacks?

You could always sneak past them while they devour the torch bearer you tied to a stake down the hall....

 

[Stalker0]

Power creep is great…as long as it’s monsters only

 

[James Gasik]

You could always sneak past them while they devour the torch bearer you tied to a stake down the hall....

Oh right, yeah, it's been so long since hirelings were part of the game I forgot about the tactic. Summoned monsters work too!

I'd say this is more fuel for the "missing rules" thread, but I think they had rules for sidekicks or something somewhere...

 

[Micah Sweet]

And if that is telegraphed, so the players are on their guard, I guess that's fine "hey guys, don't go this way".

My issue with level drain is there aren't many ways to counter it or even strategize around it. Negative Energy Protection certainly wasn't fullproof in 2e, you couldn't rely on Turn Undead to scare the creature off, so your go-to strategy was...try to kill it with ranged attacks?

No strategy is perfect. Its D&D.

 

[Vaalingrade]

But @Micah Sweet 's comment about telegraphing is spot on. Let the PCs find a dessicated corpse in the hallway that a cleric can tell has been level drained, or find a journal that describes the effects. Something that lets the players know that ahead lies something that drains levels.

So they can leave the table for one that doesn't use level drain?