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<blockquote data-quote="Tetsuyama" data-source="post: 413585" data-attributes="member: 3521">1) On the one hand, balancing the encounters at low levels is easier in some ways -- the PCs don't have as varied a set of abilities, so you don't have to take as much into account.&nbsp; However, the PCs are more fragile, and likely to be killed.&nbsp; Better to start off with encounters that are too easy and work up, than wind up replaying a couple of encounters that were too tough.&nbsp; A good rule of thumb is probably x1.5-x2 for 6 PCs, by numbers, not by CR or ECL at low levels.Later in levels, it gets *far* more complicated.&nbsp; The monsters at CR 5-6 and above start getting special abilities.&nbsp; Large groups of PCs wind up having large numbers of weird abilities and ability combinations.&nbsp; This gets nightmarish to try to figure out.&nbsp; A good rule of thumb is probably an ECL 1-2 greater than the party average level will provide the party with a tough fight.&nbsp; Divide the XP by 6, and they'll get about the same amount as a 4 PC party would get for an ECL == party level.2) This kind of varies.&nbsp; Our last couple of fights have been *tough*, with major baddies.&nbsp; Two colossal fights provided us with roughly 8000 XP each, with 7-10 PCs at an average level of 7.&nbsp; Generally, I'd say it actually should depend more on how often you're able to play, and how long you can play when you do.&nbsp; Something like a level a month is a decent target.&nbsp; I think the book suggests an average of 4 encounters per session, 4 sessions per month, resulting in 1 level per month.&nbsp; We usually only get through 2-3 encounters per session, but they're generally pretty hard on the party, so we usually have been levelling once every 3-4 weeks.3) No idea.4) I try to use a bunch of the stuff from the worldbuilding column in Dragon, and here's a <a href="http://www.roleplayingtips.com" target="_blank">roleplaying tips site</a> that has tons of useful stuff.&nbsp; Like Crothian said, go back through your notes (make sure to keep notes -- it pays and pays as a DM).&nbsp; Look at anything that looks like it could be a hook, and turn it in to one.&nbsp; One of the most useful hints I read had to do with keeping some 3x5 cards of plot hooks and secrets about various things (characters, places, items) in the world.&nbsp; Shuffle the deck and try to plan an adventure around one or two of them.&nbsp; If you arrange it right, the PCs will run across hints leading to more of them.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Tetsuyama, post: 413585, member: 3521"] 1) On the one hand, balancing the encounters at low levels is easier in some ways -- the PCs don't have as varied a set of abilities, so you don't have to take as much into account. However, the PCs are more fragile, and likely to be killed. Better to start off with encounters that are too easy and work up, than wind up replaying a couple of encounters that were too tough. A good rule of thumb is probably x1.5-x2 for 6 PCs, by numbers, not by CR or ECL at low levels. Later in levels, it gets *far* more complicated. The monsters at CR 5-6 and above start getting special abilities. Large groups of PCs wind up having large numbers of weird abilities and ability combinations. This gets nightmarish to try to figure out. A good rule of thumb is probably an ECL 1-2 greater than the party average level will provide the party with a tough fight. Divide the XP by 6, and they'll get about the same amount as a 4 PC party would get for an ECL == party level. 2) This kind of varies. Our last couple of fights have been *tough*, with major baddies. Two colossal fights provided us with roughly 8000 XP each, with 7-10 PCs at an average level of 7. Generally, I'd say it actually should depend more on how often you're able to play, and how long you can play when you do. Something like a level a month is a decent target. I think the book suggests an average of 4 encounters per session, 4 sessions per month, resulting in 1 level per month. We usually only get through 2-3 encounters per session, but they're generally pretty hard on the party, so we usually have been levelling once every 3-4 weeks. 3) No idea. 4) I try to use a bunch of the stuff from the worldbuilding column in Dragon, and here's a [URL=http://www.roleplayingtips.com]roleplaying tips site[/URL] that has tons of useful stuff. Like Crothian said, go back through your notes (make sure to keep notes -- it pays and pays as a DM). Look at anything that looks like it could be a hook, and turn it in to one. One of the most useful hints I read had to do with keeping some 3x5 cards of plot hooks and secrets about various things (characters, places, items) in the world. Shuffle the deck and try to plan an adventure around one or two of them. If you arrange it right, the PCs will run across hints leading to more of them. [/QUOTE]

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