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<blockquote data-quote="Mouseferatu" data-source="post: 12447" data-attributes="member: 1288">Hmm.&nbsp; I seem to have had different experiences from most of you.Let's assume the PC and NPC parties have the same number of people, are all the same level, and are all the same (or at least equivalent) classes.&nbsp; Let us also assume that they each have the same time to prepare.&nbsp; That is, either the PC and NPC spellcasters are both loaded on combat spells, or they both have an equal mix of combat and non-combat spells.&nbsp; Let's assume equal magic items.Let's also assume that this is the only encounter both parties have faced that day, so nobody is wounded or low on spells.&nbsp; In other words, all factors&nbsp; are equal.That means the PCs have a 50% chance of winning, right?Wrong.In my experience, all things being equal, PCs win most of the time.&nbsp; Why?&nbsp; Because each player knows his character, knows his abilities, his strengths and weaknesses.&nbsp; More to the point, he's had at least a few levels--possibly a lot of levels--to learn how to make best and most efficient use of his abilities.The DM, OTOH, has probably only played these NPCs a few times, if ever.&nbsp; He hasn't had the entire campaign to figure out the precise best combination of spells, attacks, etc. to take advantage of these NPCs' abilities.&nbsp; And he can't even devote all his attention to making the most of any one character, because he has to focus on three to five (assuming average sized groups).In an &quot;equal&quot; fight, it's the PCs who seem, in my experience, to have the advantage.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Mouseferatu, post: 12447, member: 1288"] Hmm. I seem to have had different experiences from most of you. Let's assume the PC and NPC parties have the same number of people, are all the same level, and are all the same (or at least equivalent) classes. Let us also assume that they each have the same time to prepare. That is, either the PC and NPC spellcasters are both loaded on combat spells, or they both have an equal mix of combat and non-combat spells. Let's assume equal magic items. Let's also assume that this is the only encounter both parties have faced that day, so nobody is wounded or low on spells. In other words, [I]all factors[/I] are equal. That means the PCs have a 50% chance of winning, right? Wrong. In my experience, all things being equal, PCs win most of the time. Why? Because each player knows his character, knows his abilities, his strengths and weaknesses. More to the point, he's had at least a few levels--possibly a lot of levels--to learn how to make best and most efficient use of his abilities. The DM, OTOH, has probably only played these NPCs a few times, if ever. He hasn't had the entire campaign to figure out the precise best combination of spells, attacks, etc. to take advantage of these NPCs' abilities. And he can't even devote all his attention to making the most of any one character, because he has to focus on three to five (assuming average sized groups). In an "equal" fight, it's the PCs who seem, in my experience, to have the advantage. [/QUOTE]

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