So dig this, I decided to do a one-shot delve for my 3 friends, a level 1 adventure from the starter set, with the xp budget per encounter diminished for their party size. they formed up a team of a striker, a controller, and a defender. Knowing they didn't have a leader, I switched out some of the gold in the treasure parcels with health potions to compensate. The heroes enter into the final battle against a hobgoblin soldier, warcaster, and 4 grunts (450 xp).
This results in a total party kill.
At this point I'm wondering what went wrong, since they used their powers (though the dailies were used in previous combats) and progressed well earlier. Ironically, last year I had them go up against 4 grunts and a soldier the previous year (300 xp), and that also resulted in a TPK.
So what monster roles should I not put up against the players if they're lacking either a striker, a leader, defender, or controller? Should I not put them up against brutes and soldiers of levels higher than them?
P.S: In hard encounters, should the maximum level of a monster placed be 5 or 7 above the party? The DMG says both on pages 56-57.
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This results in a total party kill.
At this point I'm wondering what went wrong, since they used their powers (though the dailies were used in previous combats) and progressed well earlier. Ironically, last year I had them go up against 4 grunts and a soldier the previous year (300 xp), and that also resulted in a TPK.
So what monster roles should I not put up against the players if they're lacking either a striker, a leader, defender, or controller? Should I not put them up against brutes and soldiers of levels higher than them?
P.S: In hard encounters, should the maximum level of a monster placed be 5 or 7 above the party? The DMG says both on pages 56-57.
Quick Reply
Submit Post Cancel Quote message in reply?