Search results

Okay, last post for today (I think). As a DM who plays with friends cross-country via maptool, I use a lot of pregen maps. I have also made my own when the right one simply could not be found. However, searching through DDI's thumbnails in their map galleries is... frustrating to say the least...

Feeling posty today. My campaign's half-Orc paladin of Oghma has been less involved in plot progression of late, and as a result his player has started acting disinterested. This is not a huge problem if he's enjoying himself, but I'm starting to feel I'm not giving him enough as a DM. This must...

This is a very cool idea, and one I may be trying for the above example. Use normal surprise rounds for the first time a host comes through the walls, but after that use the skill check method. Won't bother making a map or keeping track of pieces; I play online via map tool, so throw away maps...

This sounds like the best way to run most skill challenges in my experience. And a style I'm still trying to adapt to. For more sandbox challenges like this, letting the players drive the action can easily work. For more reaction or obstacle based challenges, I've been trying to implement a...

Perhaps I should start a new thread for this question, but it seems so closely related to what we're talking about. How often do you as 4E DMs use non-challenging encounters? Next session my characters are going to investigate an abandoned temple, now inhabited by gnolls, who have begun to dig...

I'm a little reluctant to have the players run all over the city too much; their goal for the past few sessions has been to eliminate the succubus behind this all. They're thinking more like a strike force whose mission is to cut off the head of the snake. Of course, in order to do this, they'll...

This is precisely the problem my campaign hit recently. I had sketched out ideas for a story off and on for the better part of a year. Many of these were long reaching plots and adventures. Once we finally started playing, I had a well developed city, cast of characters, and shadowy villain...

I agree with FireLance, raising the challenge to meet the PC's rather than lowering the PC's power level. Setting out with a goal to take their stuff away is a possibility, but one I would not recommend. The difference +1 will make at low level will be minimal; heck, you could even keep...

I would also be interested in updating my offline builder. Any information people feel comfortable giving would be appreciated. Trit

I've abused my players enough lately, and it's time for some pay off. They've spent the last chunk of sessions unearthing a cult's plot to gain control of the main trade city in the kingdom. Having replaced a member of the Duke's council with a succubus, and enthralling him under her control...

Ah yes, I was thinking about changing that. I'll probably have the beak attack target Fort too. Wouldn't make much sense having some attacks target AC and not others. Thanks for the help

Here's what I end up with: Ghostly Owlbear Level 8 Elite Brute Large Fey Beast (Undead) xp 700 HP 212; Bloodied 106 Initiative +6 AC 20; Fort 22; Ref 18; Will 20 Perception +12 Speed 7; Phasing...

Was thinking of throwing something different at my players next session. After some brainstorming, I decided on an undead owlbear. Zombie would be one thing, but I think a ghost would both fit more into the adventure, and be more unique. I'm basing on the owlbear stat block, adding a few...

Unfortunately after posting this, I went on a short D&D hiatus. I never came back to thank everyone for their responses. There's some great advice here; I like hearing all the different ways people have managed to share the DM burden/fun. The style that closest fits our goals of co-DMing is...

I mostly run games, so my play experience has been scattered and limited. I have a small list of fun characters I've played, and a larger list I've wanted to. Always loved rogues, and managed to make a good halfling scoundrel who was pretty hard to hit and could (occasionally) go toe-to-toe...

My best friend and I have talked about this idea for some time. We've come up with several ideas on how to Co-DM a game, but none seem to be the right fit for us. 1 - Rotating DM chair. Problem: We've kinda tried this, but mostly our rotations are few and far between (long adventures, sometimes...

Turned out not to matter how I handled the chains (as minions or as skill challenge). My players took one look at a room full of chains with chain demons, and ran down the hall. The wizard abused (in a fun way) Hypnotism and various other illusion powers, and the group dealt with them fairly...

My original idea (jotted down ages ago) was to use an Elite version of a kyton, but due to several things (world building and the types of fights the heroes have already been in) I don't want to go down that road. I'm torn between making the encounter minion-y or skill encounter-y. They're...

Would a Chain Devil (aka Kyton, lvl 11) or two be too much of a challenge for a lvl 7 party of 5 PC's? They've had some pretty tough fights up to this point, have spent some dailies, but have mostly managed to blow through everything they've come up against. Aside from a lucky crit almost...

I agree whole-heartedly with S'mon, I've had to push several players (and myself) away from just saying "you take damage with this attack." I recently ran a Duergar Bloodmage who made players bleed from their eyes. That earned their ire much quicker than if I had just said "You're blinded." I...