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Message: <blockquote data-quote="KarinsDad" data-source="post: 6394322" data-attributes="member: 2011">There is no difference between the two types of encounters.Bottom line: they are both encounters. With the same creatures and scenario, which can happen, they both have the exact same amount of risk.The rules do not change, just because the DM has a different path to an encounter or that he is creating the encounter on the fly instead of ahead of time. Your point here is illusory. You are convincing yourself that there is a real difference when the difference is moot.A surprise round is just as risky with the same PCs with the same capabilities and the same NPCs. And in 5E, surprise can be very deadly, especially at low levels. Even at high level, a tough encounter can be very risky with surprise.Now if you are hand hold your players because of your DMing style, then sure, you can give them more of a chance to survive. For example, instead of flying in and using a breathe weapon during a surprise round, the dragon talks to the PCs first. But shy of specific DM decision making, encounters are encounters. If the PCs decide to get into a fight, the DM should not punish them because of a PC death.At least from my POV, I enjoy combat encounters. No doubt about it, one does not have to get into combat every single time, but doing so should not be punished with houserules.</blockquote>