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<blockquote data-quote="kaomera" data-source="post: 5537051" data-attributes="member: 38357">I've had similar problems. I found that (for me) the number one thing was not to sweat encounters looking &quot;too hard&quot; if they where a reasonable level, and N or N+1 is generally reasonable. Try using monsters mainly from MM3 or better yet the Monster Vault, not only is their damage generally higher, many MM1 &amp; MM2 monsters seem to have wonky damage or defense values. And the newer monsters seem generally better designed. Also try adding interesting terrain / hazards / traps, especially stuff that could mess the PCs up - IME they figure it our pretty quickly and after an initial scare start using it to their advantage...I really don't like specifically aiming stuff at the PCs' weak points, but I think you kind of have to a little bit, at least sometimes. Also, be fairly ruthless about capitalizing on any mistakes the players make. If one PC gets out in front early on, pile on that guy with everything you've got! Chances are you can bloody him, maybe even drop him, but if they have any healing available he should be back on his feet in short order. Since most monsters don't really have any healing to speak of they just lose at attrition, losing actions every time one of them drops.Just (IMO) if you're a bit harsh on them in an encounter, it's probably best to not be too hard on them about resting thereafter. If they think they should take an extended rest before pressing on, it just means that they respect the dangers of the dungeon! (Usually - if they're resting because one PC actually used a daily, then maybe not so much.)</blockquote>

[QUOTE="kaomera, post: 5537051, member: 38357"] I've had similar problems. I found that (for me) the number one thing was not to sweat encounters looking "too hard" if they where a reasonable level, and N or N+1 is generally reasonable. Try using monsters mainly from MM3 or better yet the Monster Vault, not only is their damage generally higher, many MM1 & MM2 monsters seem to have wonky damage or defense values. And the newer monsters seem generally better designed. Also try adding interesting terrain / hazards / traps, especially stuff that could mess the PCs up - IME they figure it our pretty quickly and after an initial scare start using it to their advantage... I really don't like specifically aiming stuff at the PCs' weak points, but I think you kind of have to a little bit, at least sometimes. Also, be fairly ruthless about capitalizing on any mistakes the players make. If one PC gets out in front early on, pile on that guy with everything you've got! Chances are you can bloody him, [I]maybe[/I] even drop him, but if they have any healing available he should be back on his feet in short order. Since most monsters don't really have any healing to speak of they just lose at attrition, losing actions every time one of them drops. Just (IMO) if you're a bit harsh on them in an encounter, it's probably best to not be too hard on them about resting thereafter. If they think they should take an extended rest before pressing on, it just means that they respect the dangers of the dungeon! (Usually - if they're resting because [I]one[/I] PC actually used a daily, then maybe not so much.) [/QUOTE]

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