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<blockquote data-quote="Jhaelen" data-source="post: 3742602" data-attributes="member: 46713">I disagree. Randomness does not a challenge make. For me a challenge always involves informed decisions by the player characters. Finding a way to enter a well-defended fortress and steal a powerful magic item is a challenge. Getting ambushed by a red dragon hiding behind a door from the kobold's bed chamber isn't.I also disagree with the (common) notion that 3e encourages 'nerfing' encounters by only choosing 'appropriate' encounters. The DMG tells a different story:- 5% of all encounters should involve an EL of party level +5 or higher- ~25%* of all encounters should involve an EL of party level +1 to +4*: this includes half the percentage for encounters that may become easier if the player characters think of some kind of trick.I don't remember reading anywhere that encounters should be customized because of the party setup. I do remember that a DM may choose to increase the XP for an encounter if it involves circumstances that make it more difficult than typical.Players should know if their party has a weak spot and take actions to cover it in some way (by hiring npcs or buying appropriate magic items, etc.). If they don't, they certainly deserve to have a more difficult time.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Jhaelen, post: 3742602, member: 46713"] I disagree. Randomness does not a challenge make. For me a challenge always involves informed decisions by the player characters. Finding a way to enter a well-defended fortress and steal a powerful magic item is a challenge. Getting ambushed by a red dragon hiding behind a door from the kobold's bed chamber isn't. I also disagree with the (common) notion that 3e encourages 'nerfing' encounters by only choosing 'appropriate' encounters. The DMG tells a different story: - 5% of all encounters should involve an EL of party level +5 or higher - ~25%* of all encounters should involve an EL of party level +1 to +4 *: this includes half the percentage for encounters that may become easier if the player characters think of some kind of trick. I don't remember reading anywhere that encounters should be customized because of the party setup. I do remember that a DM may choose to increase the XP for an encounter if it involves circumstances that make it more difficult than typical. Players should know if their party has a weak spot and take actions to cover it in some way (by hiring npcs or buying appropriate magic items, etc.). If they don't, they certainly deserve to have a more difficult time. [/QUOTE]

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