Dungeon Crawl... how do you do it?

[Zaran]

The last couple of fights (Especially the last) in Keep of the Shadowfell were extremely hard for the players that I ran this module with. You might not want to scale those up. The monsters and Kalarel by themselves aren't too bad but when you factor in the gate things get hectic especially if everyone is new to 4e. I would also make sure they take a short rest or if they feel they don't have the time, give them the benefits of a short rest before you do the fight with Kalarel.

 

[Dredly]

sounds good, I'll keep that in mind. I expect my players will be level 5 before we get to that point so I'll take a look at the battle and possibly make some of the weaker mobs a little tougher but leave the rest as is

 

[surfarcher]

Have you checked out the WotC update to KotS? Very worthwhile. Also the Orcus conversion is worth looking at.

 

[HishamEQ]

I ran this entire adventure with my group and they had a blast.

First, go here: Eleven Foot Pole: February 2009 and read through the excellent walk-through posted by this DM. His blog helped a lot when planning encounters...

...Also, make sure you are using the updated version of the adventure, which can be downloaded for free from wotc.

Be sure to check out this blog. It is an excellent dissection of the encounters in KotSF, and gives some good advice on running particular encounters. I even think some of his beefs were addressed in the updated adventure.

 

[Xphile]

Be sure to check out this blog. It is an excellent dissection of the encounters in KotSF, and gives some good advice on running particular encounters. I even think some of his beefs were addressed in the updated adventure.

I'd completely agree. I've been running KotSF for the past few sessions and I wish I had noticed the blog and updated version. Luckily they've avoided or not reached some of the bigger changes yet.

If you can, try and figure out where you are going with the campaign after KotSF. If you want pre-generated content, then I would suggest the Orcus conversion as in the current form, H1-H3 really do not flow together. I decided to pull H2, H3 and P1 completely out of my campaign as I wanted to a) explore the Nentir Vale more b) Work in more plot for a war between Orcus and the Raven Queen. This has lead me to creating a web of mini-adventures through all of the hot spots in the Vale.

 

[satori01]

As a piece of general advice, I would also say watch your players for signs of boredom. Some people just do not like dungeon crawls. Some people want to pull their hair out when you ask them, " Do you take the left corridor or the right corridor?"......if that is the case with your group....it is ok to leave out some filler rooms and move to some good encounters.

A good dungeon is like certain movies....sometimes it is better with editing.

 

[bardolph]

Have you checked out the WotC update to KotS? Very worthwhile. Also the Orcus conversion is worth looking at.

Can you post a link please?

 

[surfarcher]

I'm a bit tied up right now. Please PM me a reminder and I'll post links to both.

 

[surfarcher]

OK the free WotC update to KotS can be downloaded from:
Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Article (D&D Test Drive)

The H1-H3 conversions can be found at:
http://web.comhem.se/mwester/Shadowfell/Documents/H1-H3_Orcus_Conversion.pdf
http://web.comhem.se/mwester/Shadowfell/Documents/H2_Orcus_Conversion.pdf
http://web.comhem.se/mwester/Shadowfell/Documents/H3_Orcus_Conversion.pdf

 

[Blackbrrd]

OK the free WotC update to KotS can be downloaded from:
Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Article (D&D Test Drive)

The H1-H3 conversions can be found at:
http://web.comhem.se/mwester/Shadowfell/Documents/H1-H3_Orcus_Conversion.pdf
http://web.comhem.se/mwester/Shadowfell/Documents/H2_Orcus_Conversion.pdf
http://web.comhem.se/mwester/Shadowfell/Documents/H3_Orcus_Conversion.pdf

That was some piece of work! An enworlder that did it?