Interesting combat encounters

[Lord of the Nerdery]

I'm new to the forums, so I apologize if this's been covered somewhere else. I'm GMing a 4e campaign with low magic and I'm trying to come up with some interesting encounters. In terms of terrain and setup I'm having writers block. Any cool combats you've had that didn't involve much magic or crazy fantasy settings (volcanoes or acid swamps or anything like that)?

 

[Nebulous]

What you need to do is pilfer Dungeon Magazine for ideas, that's EXACTLY what it's there for, to help DMs save time or supplement your ideas when the well runs dry.

 

[Zaukrie]

Yeah, there is a great encounter in the ice spire (or whatever it is called) adventure. Great use of terrain, multiple heights....I've already stolen and used it once as a swamp encounter (though I changed it and made the terrain too effective in a way). I also suggest Dungeon. Every single encounter can be stolen and used in a different setting.


I like encounters where there are multiple levels, like balconies or rocks or ledges or whatever. I like encounters where there is some stuff in the room that the bad guys can hide behind, use for cover, throw at the PCs. I like encounters with pits or other things that make slide/push/pull more interesting (they don't need to be deep, just enough to effect the target's ability to do something). I like terrain that is more than one room, where the combatants can move around...

 

[Zaukrie]

Welcome to the forums, and never apologize for asking for help. That's one of the main purposes of these forums.

You may also want to try the fan creations forum, many people there will have ideas.