Recent content by rasguy

While "The Dice Tower" is an excellent podcast and I listen to every episode, I wouldn't have it on my list of RPG podcasts. A much better replacement for that slot would be "Fear the Boot." An excellent RPG podcast that covers a wide range of gaming issues.

I like Blazing Skeletons. Just be careful because their auras and on-going damage can get crazy. Depending on your set-up, you could add some tension by bringing in the skeletons on turn 2 or 3. Let the party get set-up and do some damage on the Dragon and then bring in the skeletons from an...

I would use some minions so the dragon has an opportunity to flank for combat advantage. The minions wouldn't deal a bunch of damage and could be popped by the party pretty fast. Otherwise maybe a couple of soldiers so they have enough toughness to stick around for a couple of turns. Brutes...

What tactics did you end up using? I'm curious how the battle turned so badly for the PC's. Being scared of dragons is probably a good thing. ;)

Threatening reach is a perfect tweak for this monster.

Do the Paladin and WarPriest have any radiant burst attacks? Remember the dragon doesn't have that ability to strike in the middle of a move action. So when he bites and claws he'll have to be close to the PC.

One of the dragon's better powers is the globe of darkness because it gives you immediate combat advantage. However, your party looks like it will have plenty of radiant powers to drop the globes. Mobility is your best defense. Your attacks have Reach 2, so stay above your party to avoid...

My party fought a Shadow Dragon in very similar circumstances. While dragons should never be under estimated, we found the Shadow dragon to be a bit squishy. As a skirmisher it hits hard but has relatively low defenses and hp. If you have a party that knows how to coordinate their attacks, it...

This is great news Paul. I downloaded it last night and plan to use it at this week's Encounters session. The party is coming out of an extended rest so I'll be able to update their action points and healing surges. What's on the to-do list for the next release?

Great tool I've been using 4eTurnTracker for running D&D Encounters. It's been a great tool and uses about the same amount of time as writing notes on 5x7 Index cards (my usual method for tracking combat). I find it especially helpful for tracking player HP's and effects because newer players...

I don't see the image search you are referring to. Can you describe where it is located on the page? If you are referring to the search text box in the upper right hand corner, that doesn't index images inside of Art Gallery zip files. It's just a custom google search tool. Dungeons &...

Is there a master index of all the images available in the Wizards of the Coast Art Gallery files? When I want to find a specific image, I have to open the file for each individual issue of Dragon/Dungeon magazine. The WOTC search tool doesn't appear to index the images in the Art Gallery...

I agree but I only DM for D&D Encounters so I try to stick as close to rules as written as much as possible. I've only recently jumped back into D&D and I found the rules are more involved than in the gaming days of my youth.

Thanks for the quick response. The wording in the Rules Compendium is a little confusing. When describing a power the template is something like "Strength vs. Fortitude." The wording for Escapte on page 243 is: "If no DC is specified, an Acrobatics check is opposed by the Reflex of the...

I'm still a little fuzzy on opposed checks. For example escaping from a grab. You make an athletics check versus Fortitude. Does the creature's Fortitude become the DC, or do both creatures make a roll and apply the appropriate modifiers?