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Message: <blockquote data-quote="wedgeski" data-source="post: 9352702" data-attributes="member: 16212">I'm running a 17th level 5E campaign. Most of the players have never played at this kind of level. They're only now discovering the possibilities of scrying, divination, wish, etc. Adjustment to Wish have done wonders for abuse of that spell (I never relished the "deliberately misinterpret the wording to nerf the spell" school of thinking), but still leaves the problem to contend with of opening the vast majority of spells to the party.Scrying I see as more of an opportunity than a game-breaker. They've been subject to it multiple times, and it always freaks them out. Whenever they use it for themselves, it's always a fun chance to reveal just enough to make the spell worth using, but not so much it short-cuts entire sessions.Challenging them overall is a matter of setting what seems like an impossible task, and letting them roll. Don't be afraid to curtail game-breaking effects. The party has had 17 levels to enjoy teleporting about the place; I feel no guilt making it a risky proposition in the area of the Underdark where the campaign is reaching its conclusion. Alternatively, give the players a reason not to short-circuit a location. The paladin in my group correctly suspects that the last gem required to acvtivate his dormant Holy Avenger may well be in a hidden vault somewhere near their current location. He would certainly balk at the idea of a long-range teleport into the next adventure.Challenging them in combat is (as I see it) a simple matter of ensuring there are goals that don't revolve around killing a foe. Keep this NPC alive. Stop that thing from collapsing. Slow down this thing so xyz can heppn before it arrives. Make the monsters an environmental hazard, not the goal. This has been my go-to design ethic for some time.Where the monsters are the goal, just build something you think will be impossible to kill, and proceed to be amazed at the ingenuity and resilience of your players. This means being prepared to watch hours of careful prep go up in flames in 2 rounds. Be prepared to adjust the encounter on the fly (I know this is anathema to some DM's) with extra monster waves, or other effects that you can turn on or off as needed. Then again, when players hear they face-rolled what you assumed would be a deadly fight, it certainly puts a smile on their faces.</blockquote>

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