Reply to thread

Message

<blockquote data-quote="AllisterH" data-source="post: 4198511" data-attributes="member: 51325">Another option would be NOT to use a single high level monster which is where most of the problems come in.For example, if your XP budget was 600xp at 1st level and you want a challenging fight, it is probably better to use a combination of monsters that total say 825xp than 1 black dragon.The reason why fights drag on is because of the action economy. Say you have a 6 person 5th level party. A single 10th level monster probably can't one shot a 5th level character on their turn (probably can bloody it easily but outright kill? Doubtful) However, since this can't happen, on the PCs turn, 2 of the PCs action will be to negate the damage done by the single monster while the other 4 PC wail somewhat ineffectively on the defenses of a 10th level monster.A better encounter would probably be to use more 7th and 8th level monsters that total the xp amount of the single 10th level encounter.My playing with 4E and monster on monster battles show that the big thing about 4E is the number of actions you have. Barring wide disparity between levels (no amount of kobold skirmishers will challenge a succubus much less a PHANE), the side that has more actions will win the battle.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="AllisterH, post: 4198511, member: 51325"] Another option would be NOT to use a single high level monster which is where most of the problems come in. For example, if your XP budget was 600xp at 1st level and you want a challenging fight, it is probably better to use a combination of monsters that total say 825xp than 1 black dragon. The reason why fights drag on is because of the action economy. Say you have a 6 person 5th level party. A single 10th level monster probably can't one shot a 5th level character on their turn (probably can bloody it easily but outright kill? Doubtful) However, since this can't happen, on the PCs turn, 2 of the PCs action will be to negate the damage done by the single monster while the other 4 PC wail somewhat ineffectively on the defenses of a 10th level monster. A better encounter would probably be to use more 7th and 8th level monsters that total the xp amount of the single 10th level encounter. My playing with 4E and monster on monster battles show that the big thing about 4E is the number of actions you have. Barring wide disparity between levels (no amount of kobold skirmishers will challenge a succubus much less a PHANE), the side that has more actions will win the battle. [/QUOTE]

Verification