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Relatively new DM needs some help: How to run a Dragon encounter without killing PC's
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<blockquote data-quote="Mark" data-source="post: 831361" data-attributes="member: 5"><p>Been DMing since the mid-seventies and the best advice I can give to you is to not telegraph what players will do. It'll only lead to the frustration of you and, more importantly, your players. Designing adventures isn't like writing a book. If you try to steer toward a conclusion, it is unlikely it will be realized. Firstly because there are so many other possible outcomes besides the single one you plan, but secondly because it is in the nature of most people who are playing a game based on free will to become increasingly less likely to move in any direction that is being pushed.</p><p></p><p>If you use a dragon against them and play it out for all it is worth, it will probably TPK the group. If you use a dragon against the party and downgrade it so that they can be victorious, you will need to keep this up throughout the campaign or they will probably be charging into future situations where they are in over their heads thinking that you will be making sure that no situation can kill them. If you are dead set on using a Red Dragon against this group to its full capacity and letting the chips fall where they may, I'd advise that you hold off a couple of levels.</p><p></p><p>Can you throw in a couple of side-treks before they get to this situation so they can gain some experience and equipment? A lot of new DMs think that it is cool to rush forth and get a dragon into their game but it can do a lot of harm to a game/campaign. Maybe your group is more forgiving than most, but so many people like to DM these days that a lot of groups that find a DM lacking will simply play in someone else's game or give the next potential DM in the group a chance before giving a failed DM a second chance. Be careful how you proceed.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Mark, post: 831361, member: 5"] Been DMing since the mid-seventies and the best advice I can give to you is to not telegraph what players will do. It'll only lead to the frustration of you and, more importantly, your players. Designing adventures isn't like writing a book. If you try to steer toward a conclusion, it is unlikely it will be realized. Firstly because there are so many other possible outcomes besides the single one you plan, but secondly because it is in the nature of most people who are playing a game based on free will to become increasingly less likely to move in any direction that is being pushed. If you use a dragon against them and play it out for all it is worth, it will probably TPK the group. If you use a dragon against the party and downgrade it so that they can be victorious, you will need to keep this up throughout the campaign or they will probably be charging into future situations where they are in over their heads thinking that you will be making sure that no situation can kill them. If you are dead set on using a Red Dragon against this group to its full capacity and letting the chips fall where they may, I'd advise that you hold off a couple of levels. Can you throw in a couple of side-treks before they get to this situation so they can gain some experience and equipment? A lot of new DMs think that it is cool to rush forth and get a dragon into their game but it can do a lot of harm to a game/campaign. Maybe your group is more forgiving than most, but so many people like to DM these days that a lot of groups that find a DM lacking will simply play in someone else's game or give the next potential DM in the group a chance before giving a failed DM a second chance. Be careful how you proceed. [/QUOTE]
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Relatively new DM needs some help: How to run a Dragon encounter without killing PC's
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