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Message: <blockquote data-quote="JamesonCourage" data-source="post: 6175693" data-attributes="member: 6668292">Okay, yes, it's me. For the regulars here, it might seem odd that I'm starting a 4e game. Shot explanation: I just moved in with some new folks at the beginning of this month, and after being jealous of my gaming habits over the course of this month, they convinced me to run a game for them. Since the last game they played was 4e, and they're providing the books / battle map, that's what I'll be running.I'm still running my normal game, so my preferred gaming needs will be met. However, this means that I'll be going into this 4e game with a more relaxed, lighthearted take on things, and, hopefully, that means that I will be open-minded enough to run things in a way that's fair to everyone involved.So, my plan as of this point is to use the PHB and DMG for basic rules, and I'll be running this game with as few house rules as possible (to give 4e a fair shot). I don't use pre-made adventures, so I don't need to worry about avoiding things like Keep on the Shadowfell. I think they have PHB 1-3, and DMG 1, so I'll be using DDI for things like monsters (where I plan to lean more on the Monster Vault stuff). I will be using a battle map for the first time in my GMing career (any tips?).Also, I plan to approach things from a more... um... "cinematic" approach (is that the word I want?). Basically, less simulation that I'm used to (so, using minions as they're thematically appropriate, scaling DCs instead of static DCs, etc.). I want to attempt to play to what I perceive to be 4e's strengths, so that's why I'm leaning towards this at the moment. Like everything in this post, though, I'm open to feedback on what the strengths are, and how best to use the system.I know to look up the updated Skill Challenge DCs, use later monster books, etc. Something that I do have a question about, however, is that I'll likely be running the game for only two PCs. I was thinking of adding an "invisible" Warlord as a buff behind the scenes (have a Warlord of the level of the PCs act on initiative, basically buffing or moving them rather than focusing on damage; this is a "Lazy Warlord", correct?), thus helping the 2-PC party deal with threats a little better than normal. I plan on using XP guidelines unless there's a reason not to.On a related note, I've heard that Solos are best used when they're not alone (maybe splash some minions for a party with two PCs and an invisible Warlord?). However, most parties have more than two PCs. Is one Solo too much? What if I use that invisible Warlord (he won't be there to soak up damage, but he will be there to help heal, grant attacks, etc.)? Am I better off using Elites? Is all of this reliably covered if I just follow XP guidelines? Any tips on this stuff?I plan on making a conscious effort to make the terrain interesting during conflicts (and that means if I have to break my standard simulation to do so, so be it). I plan on having a good setting / story, which means looking into the bit of 4e I'm least familiar with: the setting (the Far Realms, the Feywild, etc.). Any tips here?I'm also planning on starting at level 1, so that I can get a grasp on the mechanical differences from 3.X (and it's been a wild since I've played 3.5). I might speed through levels 1-2, depending, too. Either way, I'll be hanging around in Heroic Tier for a while (at least, I plan to right now). Any thoughts?Trying to think of anything else... Hmm... I wasn't planning on the "cut HP in half, double damage" guideline for monsters, for a couple of reasons. One, I want to play my first go at 4e pretty close to RAW (which means I'll be leaving Extended Rests at 6 hours [I think], and not making them long weekends somewhere safe or the like). Two, the 2-PC party also makes me a bit worried about doubling the damage. Will the Monster Vault monsters basically solve this for me, or should I change something?Also, I was leaning towards doing Wish Lists (even though I never would in my normal game) for magic items, etc. Any thoughts one way or the other?Anything I'm leaving out? Definitely open to feedback on things to look out for, sources to use for various things in DDI (which I will be paying for, and will have near-constant access to), ways to best utilize monsters (not too many Soldiers, 1 monster per PC, etc.), stuff to keep in mind, updates to look up (like the Skill Challenge corrections), and the like. Any positive feedback is welcome; please, if you don't like 4e, don't threadcrap.Okay, I think that's it... Go in 3... 2... 1...</blockquote>

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