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Message: <blockquote data-quote="BradfordFerguson" data-source="post: 4605120" data-attributes="member: 20048">different ideayeah, um, it sounds like you did not properly introduce the idea of 4th edition.  If your group is used to playing 3rd edition, I would say that "4e plays like mid-level 3rd edition.  Your characters are much more durable hence having 24 HP at 1st level instead of 4, your characters will take much more damage and dish out much more damage than what you are used to."  Then I would talk about the roles in a fight, that the paladin/fighter sets the point of conflict and is expected to take most of the punishment, while the rogue flanks (or ranger/warlock attacks from range), while the wizard hampers the movement of enemies or damages multiples of them, while the cleric/warlord helps the whole group with healing, extra saving throws.It could be possible that you are designing encounters totally wrong without communicating it right.  One other DM in my area thought that you were supposed to throw 4 encounters at the PCs per level (the actual expectation is 9-10).  I would also avoid combats where the PCs are surprised by the monsters until they get a hang of the system.  I also agree that you should use demo characters (say that it is a "one-shot" session and encourage them to be daring and figure out ways for teamwork)</blockquote>