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<blockquote data-quote="Driddle" data-source="post: 1429462" data-attributes="member: 3447">True. But I've always been an advocate of DMs tweaking results behind the screen anyway. If, for example, the party has fought hard and well and is clinging to the edge by their fingernails near the end of the battle, I'm not adverse to downgrading a 12HD monster to just 10HD. (Every so often; don't make a habit of it or the threat means nothing.) At least until everyone is able to get a better feel for exactly how tough the scenarios are.I'd think that downgrading magic overall this way also makes certain monsters a little more dreadful and notable. ... And their treasures more epic.But it might be helpful to downplay the &quot;leveling up&quot; status change that's inherent within most campaigns, that nebulous area of transition between a character and the player when you exclaim, &quot;Whoo-hoo! I got my next hit die and a Level X spell!&quot; Instead of a big whoop-de-doo about learning new spells as you move from a level-5 mage to a level-6 mage, the character would (for example) move from a level-3 mage to a level-3 rogue (or whatever), and then a level-4 mage later. Would it be implied that he's not a fully committed spellcaster at ever other level? No; it's just that it takes longer to reach the next new spell and that he is still studying magic normally - only that he's learning some other stuff (that other class level) at the same time.Or so I figure. That's why I was seeking feedback here.Because I can also imagine a lot of players being frustrated by the imposition when they're reminded that they can't reach those bad ol' spells.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Driddle, post: 1429462, member: 3447"] True. But I've always been an advocate of DMs tweaking results behind the screen anyway. If, for example, the party has fought hard and well and is clinging to the edge by their fingernails near the end of the battle, I'm not adverse to downgrading a 12HD monster to just 10HD. (Every so often; don't make a habit of it or the threat means nothing.) At least until everyone is able to get a better feel for exactly how tough the scenarios are. I'd think that downgrading magic overall this way also makes certain monsters a little more dreadful and notable. ... And their treasures more epic. But it might be helpful to downplay the "leveling up" status change that's inherent within most campaigns, that nebulous area of transition between a character and the player when you exclaim, "Whoo-hoo! I got my next hit die and a Level X spell!" Instead of a big whoop-de-doo about learning new spells as you move from a level-5 mage to a level-6 mage, the character would (for example) move from a level-3 mage to a level-3 rogue (or whatever), and [I]then[/I] a level-4 mage later. Would it be implied that he's not a fully committed spellcaster at ever other level? No; it's just that it takes longer to reach the next new spell and that he [I]is[/I] still studying magic normally - only that he's learning some other stuff (that other class level) at the same time. Or so I figure. That's why I was seeking feedback here. Because I can also imagine a lot of players being frustrated by the imposition when they're reminded that they can't reach those bad ol' spells. [/QUOTE]

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