Reply to thread

Message

<blockquote data-quote="Rhenny" data-source="post: 6727073" data-attributes="member: 18333">Hi all,I'm not sure if one of these threads already exists, but I thought it would be a good place to compile ideas to help out DMs.Basically, what are ways to build encounters or utilize monster strategy to challenge PCs?&nbsp; &nbsp; Add your ideas to help this thread grow.&nbsp; Keep in mind, challenge does not necessarily mean combat, so feel free to add anything that you like to do to add challenge to any type of encounter.*****To start it all off, one of my all time favorite strategies or encounter design decisions is to use reinforcements that arrive on the scene in X rounds.&nbsp;&nbsp; This idea is often mentioned in pre-written adventures too.&nbsp; It is a very simple, yet effective way to make any encounter more challenging and also create a &quot;living&quot; environment where player action has consequences.&nbsp;&nbsp; For example, the Orcs at the front door engage with the PCs as when they arrive.&nbsp; As they are fighting, the noise or even a scout that breaks away from the group to get help, draws other monsters into the fray.&nbsp; Sometimes the foes even have horns or a gong set up to call for reinforcements.&nbsp; To make it even more challenging, the reinforcements can arrive from different directions, which will force the party to fight on multiple fronts.&nbsp;&nbsp; (I could add more, but I'll let you guys fill it out and then I'll add later as the ideas continue to grow)Have fun with it.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Rhenny, post: 6727073, member: 18333"] Hi all, I'm not sure if one of these threads already exists, but I thought it would be a good place to compile ideas to help out DMs. Basically, what are ways to build encounters or utilize monster strategy to challenge PCs? Add your ideas to help this thread grow. Keep in mind, challenge does not necessarily mean combat, so feel free to add anything that you like to do to add challenge to any type of encounter. ***** To start it all off, one of my all time favorite strategies or encounter design decisions is to use reinforcements that arrive on the scene in X rounds. This idea is often mentioned in pre-written adventures too. It is a very simple, yet effective way to make any encounter more challenging and also create a "living" environment where player action has consequences. For example, the Orcs at the front door engage with the PCs as when they arrive. As they are fighting, the noise or even a scout that breaks away from the group to get help, draws other monsters into the fray. Sometimes the foes even have horns or a gong set up to call for reinforcements. To make it even more challenging, the reinforcements can arrive from different directions, which will force the party to fight on multiple fronts. (I could add more, but I'll let you guys fill it out and then I'll add later as the ideas continue to grow) Have fun with it. [/QUOTE]

Verification