DnD Encounters

[Caliber]

Well...pregens are likely a bit weaker than the average D&D PC put together by a reasonably optimizing person (now this is based on my previous experience with WoTC pregens, KoTS & old Worldwide Game Days). Why not make your own PCs? It's likely more fun that way as I would assume you'd be a bit more invested in the PC.

Heh, for the record, we are using home made characters. Without having studied the pregens too closely, I was wondering if they were maybe stronger characters than the ones we came up with!

 

[Jdvn1]

Are groups mostly using pregens or home made characters? Are most parties rather balanced over their combination of roles, or ? Just confused why we seem unable to go a single battle without losing someone while you guys are complaining about being unable to even knock anyone down.

I've seen both mostly-pregen and mostly-non-pregen at my table, depending on the week, and it seems to me that mostly-pregens have a harder time, regardless of balance or variety of roles.

I think the reason is two-fold: my players are (apparently) pretty decent at making characters, and the pregens aren't terribly optimized. For example, there aren't many melee pregens to choose from, which ended up being a big problem in some encounters.

 

[Jdvn1]

Anything I can't run in my home is a bit of an issue for me. I think it's great that they're doing stuff to support game stores, but it does cut some people out. There are game stores semi-near me, but not near enough. The one store that's reasonably close, for some reason doesn't want any organized play D&D going on at their store. The other stores are far enough away that it's just not really worth it to me, personally. (I don't have a car, and I live sort of way out on the edge of my metro area, so spending four hours round trip riding/waiting for the bus/train to play an hour or two of D&D is . . . not really very attractive.)

If I could run D&D Encounters at home, I'd be all over it, and I know a lot of people who would come play, too.


Edit: If I did want to get into running Encounters (or playing, for that matter), how big of an issue is the fact that it's already been going for awhile? Am I pretty much out of luck since I didn't start at the beginning of the "season", or what? I'm not really sure exactly how it works for people trying to come in mid-season.

You might be able to get a random (non-gaming-specific) bookstore to host the games--why not try, at least?

I'm pretty certain it's too late to get into this season, but the next season starts up pretty soon, and it's not too late to sign up (you want to get on it, though).

 

[firesnakearies]

I've noticed that pre-gens, no matter where they appear, always seem to suck. Why is that? Who makes these pre-gens, and why don't they know how to make decent characters?

 

[Jdvn1]

I've noticed that pre-gens, no matter where they appear, always seem to suck. Why is that? Who makes these pre-gens, and why don't they know how to make decent characters?

They're not necessarily bad characters... but I think they're designed to showcase a variety of abilities and roles rather than being designed to be strong.

Not that the two are necessarily mutually exclusive, but it's a different focus.

 

[Mark]

Is "DnD Encounters" strictly a 4E thing or something that is done for other editions, too?

 

[Jdvn1]

Is "DnD Encounters" strictly a 4E thing or something that is done for other editions, too?

Strictly 4e, strictly at public gaming places.

Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Event (D&D Encounters)

Though, I suppose there's nothing to stop stores or people from doing a similar thing, but they won't get the same advertising power.

 

[the Jester]

Edit: If I did want to get into running Encounters (or playing, for that matter), how big of an issue is the fact that it's already been going for awhile? Am I pretty much out of luck since I didn't start at the beginning of the "season", or what? I'm not really sure exactly how it works for people trying to come in mid-season.

None at all. Encounters is specifically designed for an ever-changing party, one that has different characters and even players each week, possibly including those who haven't been in any of the previous sessions.

 

[Jdvn1]

None at all. Encounters is specifically designed for an ever-changing party, one that has different characters and even players each week, possibly including those who haven't been in any of the previous sessions.

Getting in as a player is very easy if there is a game going. Getting in as a GM is also very easy if there is a game going.

Getting the kit from WotC with all of the stuff you need to run the game is a little trickier, this late in the season.

 

[TikkchikFenTikktikk]

I've been having a great time. We haven't come close to a single death, let alone a TPK.

Our regular group has coalesced around my Githzerai Monk, a Deva Avenger, a Human Wizard, and a Swordmage of a race I can't remember. There are two occasional players who play clerics, so we have healing approximately every other session.

Last week we took out the zombie, spectre, etc. group in three rounds. My monk took out all four of the minions with his first attack.

Though no one has come close to dying, except for the last encounter they have all felt about one round from getting really ugly.

The best part of Encounters, to me, has been playing regularly with five strangers with very different play styles. I can tell I'm a bit more flamboyant in role-playing combat than they are used to. I've picked up some character optimization tips. We're coming together as a team and new friends to conquer these encounters. It's great fun.

The second best thing is that we're done in an hour to two hours tops. So I have time to get this awesome D&D fix, go across the street for a beer with the guys, and head home in time to tuck in my kids.