Escalation dice

[fjw70]

I am thinking about adding the escalation die to my 4e game. Maybe I will try it next session.

 

[seti]

I am thinking about adding the escalation die to my 4e game. Maybe I will try it next session.

+1 to this. I was thinking the exact same thing.

 

[Eugee]

I really like the Escalation Die; it speeds the game up and frankly if a combat has gone 7 rounds, one of three things has happened:

1. I've over-built the encounter (likely too defensive) and the combat is dragging on. +6 to attack rolls makes sure it ends quicker.
2. The party is in dire straights, having been beaten on for 6 rounds already. +6 to attack rolls has a heroic comeback feel.
3. The fight is essentially over, and they are just mopping up. +6 to attack rolls ends it that much faster.

I also like that encounter powers aren't automatically recharged; players don't just blow them right away, because they might have to go without them for the next battle if they miss their recharge. In conjunction with the Escalation Die, some powers (cyclic spells, barbarian raging, etc) are free to use after the escalation die gets to a certain point.

 

[Sunseeker]

One interesting effect is that it reverses 4E habits. Many 4E combats start with the big powers being fired off at the start of a combat, and the combat tailing off with a whimper as the PCs whittle down the monster by plib-plibbing with the at-wills which are all they have left.

The escalation dice encourages folks to save their big guns until later rather than blow them early. The result is that a combat builds towards a spectacular climax rather than dissipates into a lengthy attrition. It's really rather clever.

Frankly, this is diminished greatly by halving the HP on the majority of 4e monsters. Though I agree that "save the best for last" works better when there are bennies for doing so.