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<blockquote data-quote="Hussar" data-source="post: 5296258" data-attributes="member: 22779">Reynard - I totally agree that context is important.&nbsp; But, within the realm of possibility, we have the &quot;You are surprised by a banshee, everyone roll a saving throw&quot;.&nbsp; Granted, we also have the signposted encounter as well.My issue is kinda with both.&nbsp; I dislike the signposted encounter because I feel it becomes cliche.&nbsp; Every medusa leaves obvious clues of its presence despite being intelligent enough, and possessing opposable thumbs, which makes the use of a hammer and a wheelbarrow entirely possible.&nbsp; Bleah.&nbsp; I want to be able to use these creatures without having to manipulate the game world every time so that the players have a chance to know what's coming.On the other hand, if I don't signpost the encounter, there are a number of creatures out there for whom a surprise encounter is very, very lethal.&nbsp; Too lethal for my taste anyway.&nbsp; The bodak, the banshee, the Sleep spell from earlier editions, etc.&nbsp; I dislike these effects which make encounter design very difficult.Me, as I've stated before, I just prefer a more mechanical solution.&nbsp; Lower the lethality of the effect and it solves all my problems.&nbsp; I can still signpost if I want to, but, if I don't, then there's no problem for me either.Obviously some people don't like the third option, but, that's fine.&nbsp; Different strokes and all that.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Hussar, post: 5296258, member: 22779"] Reynard - I totally agree that context is important. But, within the realm of possibility, we have the "You are surprised by a banshee, everyone roll a saving throw". Granted, we also have the signposted encounter as well. My issue is kinda with both. I dislike the signposted encounter because I feel it becomes cliche. Every medusa leaves obvious clues of its presence despite being intelligent enough, and possessing opposable thumbs, which makes the use of a hammer and a wheelbarrow entirely possible. Bleah. I want to be able to use these creatures without having to manipulate the game world every time so that the players have a chance to know what's coming. On the other hand, if I don't signpost the encounter, there are a number of creatures out there for whom a surprise encounter is very, very lethal. Too lethal for my taste anyway. The bodak, the banshee, the Sleep spell from earlier editions, etc. I dislike these effects which make encounter design very difficult. Me, as I've stated before, I just prefer a more mechanical solution. Lower the lethality of the effect and it solves all my problems. I can still signpost if I want to, but, if I don't, then there's no problem for me either. Obviously some people don't like the third option, but, that's fine. Different strokes and all that. [/QUOTE]

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