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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Imaro" data-source="post: 5111016" data-attributes="member: 48965">Two problems, off the top of my head, I have with winging encounters in 4e... The 1st one is that there aren't any base, run-of-the-mill creatures. I mean if I just want a bunch of Goblin thugs in 3e I flipped to a run of the mill Goblin and only had to deal with one set of stats. Give them all ranged and melee weapons and I'm set. No memorization of unique powers, give them all the same hit points, they all have the same AC, etc. Then if I need a specialized Goblin I used a different stat block or designed it myself.  In 4e I feel like I have to decide if each one (in an off the cuff encounter) is a Goblin Warrior, Goblin Blackblade, Goblin Sharphshooter, and so on. Each of these has at least one or more unique powers which I must keep track of, varying hit points, AC, and so on. Now I also have to consider the makeup of present roles in my party, or this inconsequential encounter could prove way harder or way easier than I anticipated. Now I guess alot of people will say just use minions, but in my experience a fight of just minions is rarely exciting or even worth it, I like them as back up but not as center pieces.  My 2nd problem is that the monsters have different powers... and as of yet there isn't anyway to create original powers in a balanced or formulaic structure for antagonists of a certain power level (unless of course you just want them to do damage... then you can just use page 42.). The problem is that hardly any monsters only do damage... it's boring and makes for a pretty uninteresting fight.  Note: Perhaps the Monster Builder allows you to do this, but then if I am creating monsters in the Monster Builder... it's not exactly "winging" it is it? Also electronic tools should not be assumed, they're suppose to be optional add-on's so I think it's a little disingenuous when they are stated as the reason 4e is easier to wing it. Note Also: I do find 4e easier to prep out ahead of time... just not easier to wing off the cuff with for some reason... might just be how my mind works since I have the same problem with the multitude of conditions, marking, etc. that fly back and forth in any given encounter.</blockquote>

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