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<blockquote data-quote="MonkeezOnFire" data-source="post: 6627501" data-attributes="member: 6784845">I find that it can be really fun to have your character thrown into danger every once in a while. I don't think every challenge should be telegraphed to players through hints or investigation opportunities. Sure, if it happens too often it can be annoying, but it can be interesting to find yourself in a situation where some trouble arises that that isn't at all telegraphed and you must struggle to get out of it. When I dm I do stick to some guidelines though. I find it best to target the whole group with these kinds of situations rather than single out a single PC. For example having a thunderstorm appear on the third day of travel when the previous two days were clear forcing the group to choose between finding safety or continuing on and risking a lightning strike, exhaustion from hard terrain and travelling while waterlogged, etc. The surprise challenge also shouldn't have consequences that are irreversible. Instant death is a big nono, but a surprise round in combat or an initial round of damage from a trap can cause tension. As I mentioned above its also best to use these kinds of techniques sparingly. I like these &quot;oh shi-&quot; moments. They remind the players that they are not the masters of their own fate. They certainly have influence over it, but sometimes the universe intervenes. I fully acknowledge that this style is not for all groups. Many groups like to be the masters of their own fate and that's fine. This is just my opinion.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="MonkeezOnFire, post: 6627501, member: 6784845"] I find that it can be really fun to have your character thrown into danger every once in a while. I don't think every challenge should be telegraphed to players through hints or investigation opportunities. Sure, if it happens too often it can be annoying, but it can be interesting to find yourself in a situation where some trouble arises that that isn't at all telegraphed and you must struggle to get out of it. When I dm I do stick to some guidelines though. I find it best to target the whole group with these kinds of situations rather than single out a single PC. For example having a thunderstorm appear on the third day of travel when the previous two days were clear forcing the group to choose between finding safety or continuing on and risking a lightning strike, exhaustion from hard terrain and travelling while waterlogged, etc. The surprise challenge also shouldn't have consequences that are irreversible. Instant death is a big nono, but a surprise round in combat or an initial round of damage from a trap can cause tension. As I mentioned above its also best to use these kinds of techniques sparingly. I like these "oh shi-" moments. They remind the players that they are not the masters of their own fate. They certainly have influence over it, but sometimes the universe intervenes. I fully acknowledge that this style is not for all groups. Many groups like to be the masters of their own fate and that's fine. This is just my opinion. [/QUOTE]

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