Party goes after tough opponets with eyes wide open...

[Crothian]

I let the players do what they want. THere are always ways for a smart party to be successful when dealing with super against them odds. But I'm mor econcerned, as always, about the different plots and how this will effect them.

Plus I don't believe a TPK is the end of everything...

 

[derbacher]

Looks like I'm part of the majority vote, as well. When you're second level, and the blood sucking vampire/demon from the hell dimension/ Ancient red dragon makes himself known, you HAVE TO RUN. Or be paste on the wall.

It's only happened once that they didn't run. Dragon thought they tasted good roasted with a little honey mustard for dipping....

 

[Rel]

I'm with those who say that an aware and prepared party can take on stuff that is far beyond their CR and win. So go with "As Is". They'll feel great if they win and if they lose...well a TPK always makes for a good gaming story they'll tell for years.

And, not that I'm giving the PC's advice or anything, if they will set an ambush, focus on staying out of the reach of the giant and using ranged attacks, they can probably take one down with relatively few problems at 3rd level (assuming something like a Hill Giant).

 

[Zappo]

I let them do what they want, but I'll scatter some hints in their way about the power of their enemies. To be honest, most of my encounters are a few CRs above the party level. I don't like having tons of boring fights; I much prefer one or two really exciting combats per session. In my experience, one or two CRs above party level isn't enough to kill the PCs of experienced players.

 

[VirgilCaine]

On the other hand, my other group had a level 4 Fighter who successfully soloed a Balor to death in 3.0.

Okay, Protection from Evil and Protecton from Elements could take care of some of the problems...maybe a Shield and Blur...Mirror Image could also help, maybe an Oil/Scroll of Greater Magic Weapon...

I gots to know!

 

[The_Universe]

I voted for the 4th option - sometimes they win. Sometimes they don't, and that's part of the game, too. I try not to put "too tough" encounters in their direct path, but if they consciously seek them out, I let them suffer the consequences for good or ill. To do any less removes even the illusion of choice from the game, and any element of risk of failure.

I mean - it's pretty obvious that jumping in the magma chasm isn't a good idea, but if you think you can "win" go for it. Just be ready to write up a new character in case the law of averages is not, in fact, on vacation.

 

[anton1066]

My Players a F***** crazy. They wont just go after people to high for them they will make a point out of doing it in the least tackticle way. I had a 5th level fighter step into a room of huge G-cubes even though the mage was taking them out just fine from safety.

 

[Rystil Arden]

Okay, Protection from Evil and Protecton from Elements could take care of some of the problems...maybe a Shield and Blur...Mirror Image could also help, maybe an Oil/Scroll of Greater Magic Weapon...

I gots to know!

He had a Mercurial Greatsword and won initiative and rolled a critical, and he had up some buffs from allied casters (though he did not have GMW up--so he had to contend with DR, but he didn't care).

 

[VirgilCaine]

He had a Mercurial Greatsword and won initiative and rolled a critical, and he had up some buffs from allied casters (though he did not have GMW up--so he had to contend with DR, but he didn't care).

Was that the main blow or was that the entirety? For example, it must have been inside so that the thing couldn't fly...

 

[CronoDekar]

Wow, I'm the only one who chose the last option! Though actually, I doubt so much that it's that they would never do something like that than I can't recall them doing something like that. Usually it's more that whatever the plot hook is has challenges in it that are geared toward the PCs' power level, so it's not something that really has come up.