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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Herremann the Wise" data-source="post: 1532768" data-attributes="member: 11300">Hi Everyone,We had a bit of bad luck last session resulting in a TPK and I was wondering whether the encounter was too tough.Our group consisted of 5 third level characters:Elven RangerHuman MonkHalf-Orc FighterElven WizardHuman ClericThey have excellent stats (selected from 18,17,16,15,14,13) and have gained above average equipment for their level (for example +1 Keen Greatsword, +1 Plate Armour, +2 Ring of Pro etc.)We had to fight four 5HD Orcs with Barbarian levels. They were also elite with average to good equipment and excellent stats - 20 Strength base before raging wielding Great Axes.Personally, I thought this was a little tough but would like some opinions based on the above information. I thought the encounter was always going to be deadly - someone would die - if not be a TPK where as the DM disagrees saying that we should have handled it except for some poor decisions and rolling by the group.Anyway, what actually happened was the following:- The Ranger was about 100 feet in front scouting.- The Monk saw something and went up ahead to warn the Ranger- The rest of the group stayed back unable to see what the Monk had seen.- The Ranger and Monk were then ambushed but made a spot and listen check respectively to avoid being ruled out of the partial surprise round. Unfortunately, the others failed DC 15 checks.- Within 4 slashes of enraged Great Axe beats - one being a critical and another being for max damage - both the Ranger and Monk were down.- The Wizard acted next using a Glitterdust to blind 3 of the 4 Orcs.- Both the Cleric and Fighter ran up to get some hitting happening.- The Orcs slightly bedazzled were directed by the one non-blind orc to prepare for the others.- The Wizard cast expeditious retreat and ran up to the fallen Ranger and Monk - she had healing potions.- The Fighter lashed into the the group of Orcs missing miserably.- The Cleric attacked the one Orc who had broken off and went toe to toe.- The Orcs then hacked into the fighter whacking him to within an inch of his life.- The Wizard then healed the Ranger with a potion.- The Fighter and Cleric got in a hit each before the Orcs responded killing the big Greatsword wielding fighter.- The Wizard in an act of desperation pleaded to the Ranger to remember her as she went into range targetting a color spray at the three Orcs who had just felled the fighter. Only two of them were stunned with the other making a DC 16 Will Save check while enraged.- She was then quickly killed while the Ranger attempting to avoid as many blows as possible succumbed to two Orcs taking one down in the process.- The Cleric was the last one down having taken out his opponent only to be killed by the others.Was this too tough for five 3rd level characters? Were we the victims of poor rolling and decisions?Best RegardsHerremann the Wise</blockquote>

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