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Message: <blockquote data-quote="fuzzlewump" data-source="post: 5016069" data-attributes="member: 63214">It's slightly tangential, but adding an overarching skill challenge type thing with a time limit makes for very awesome combats.Paragon tier, the players are piloting a Spelljammer in the astral sea, they basically grappling hooked by githyanki pirates. The "grappling hooks" are magical tethers that must be removed (with arcana or thievery) before the two ships both go careening into a black hole. (It was actually a portal to the Shadowfell.) So the first few rounds they mow through the pirates that board their ships, then board their ship to steal some treasure, then begin to detach the ships. Then, a cage that was swaying in the storm surrounding the black hole crashes to the deck of the pirate ship which has a Chain Devil inside or something, forgot what it was exactly. So basically, you have an ongoing skill challenge with a time limit riddled with complications in the form of enemies.Of course, this just makes things exciting, not more quick! In fact, I think that was quite a long combat, but it was great the whole way through. This is obviously a more concrete time limit that would be contrived if every room had some kind of time limit (falling ceiling, filling up with water, etc).</blockquote>