D&D 5E Ramping up the Challenge in 5e Combats

[Irda Ranger]

1) Play the monsters better.

2) Add more monsters to each encounter.

3) Use higher CR monsters.

THIS. The Monster Manual has infinite difficulty. No one should be complaining that 5E is "easy mode".

(1) can probably only come with experience. I sure am still learning. I've been a DM for a long time, but 5E has its unique nuances and challenges.

But the one thing I've really learned so far is that the action economy rules everything in 5E combat, and the side with more actions per turn (or a greater ability to concentrate fire) really has a ridiculous advantage. Which basically boils down to (2) and adding monsters with Legendary Actions.

As for how 5E got the reputation for being on "easy mode" I would not be surprised at all if the published adventures and encounter design suggestions in the DMG were biased in favor of new DMs and new players. A new DM can easily overpower and kill all his PCs without meaning to through sheer inexperience, and of course new players rarely make full use of their PCs or use the best tactics. Both of these favor making encounters a little easier.

Maybe the books should be more transparent about that. But for any DM with a campaign or two under his belt, it should also be pretty obvious which encounters need buffs. Just multiply actions per round by expected damage and see what the odds of a PC's death in any given round are.

 

[Istbor]

I have never had any group accuse me of being an easy DM running with typical 5e monsters and NPCs.

Unless the party is able to ambush or turn something I didn't think was going to be an encounter into one, the foes are typically well prepared and tactically minded. (obviously sometimes I also roll like garbage. Thanks archers on the roof that NEVER hit a single PC)

 

[lonelynoose]

I have to agree with the 'play the monsters better' dialogue. Even if you're not that tactical, read up on monster tactics and apply the basic strategies. For instance, this blog helped run many goblin etc encounters. http://themonstersknow.com/goblin-tactics/

Sure, goblins are battle fodder, but played correctly (and at the right times) can make things arduous for PCs.