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Message: <blockquote data-quote="FireLance" data-source="post: 4880435" data-attributes="member: 3424">The problem here is that none of this is evident from the black dragon entry (at least, the one in the Compendium - I don't have my MM handy at the moment). I don't think the DM is advised to ensure the fight takes place in an area where the party can take cover from the dragon's attacks or is told that the party should be able to lure the dragon out from the cloud of darkness with ordinary taunts. Nor do I think the DM should be advised to do this. Terrain features should be bonus elements that make an encounter more interesting; they shouldn't be required to make an encounter beatable. Similarly, scripted actions and reactions should be included in a monster's stat block if they are required to make an encounter beatable.On the dragon side of the equation, it isn't going to be passive when it comes out of the cloud, either. At the very least, it will have its breath weapon ready, and if the PCs are lining up to attack it, it just means that more will be affected by the attack. My point is, even if the PCs beat the dragon in the end, there will be frequent periods of frustration for PCs without area attacks.I'm not sure if this will work since the cloud of darkness blocks line of sight.Why would the party need to be given tools to engage the dragon if any run-of-the-mill party can beat it? If you are prepared to give tools to the party, or have the dragon use sub-optimal tactics, or ensure that the terrain features favor the PCs, why should changing the dragon's abilities or giving the PCs a ritual to reduce the effect of the darkness be any different?The dragon can make a new Stealth check every round, and at 4th level, a PC trained in Perception and with an 18 Wisdom will only have a Perception modifier of +11, or +13 if he has a racial bonus. I don't think that's very good odds, even for a relatively focused character.I don't see why not. A level 4 encounter shouldn't be much more difficult than another level 4 encounter. If I want the PCs to think and use tactics, I'd use a higher-level encounter. The young black dragon falls outside my tolerance range for how difficult a level 4 encounter should be.</blockquote>

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