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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Magesmiley" data-source="post: 5668919" data-attributes="member: 26292">Above all else, play the monsters appropriate to their intelligence. Think about what sorts of tactics they will use and how they will capitalize on being familiar with their homes. What can they see about the players and what assumptions can they make from that? (Three heavily armored guys charging us and one guy in robes who is gesturing while hanging back... gee who should the archers shoot?) Consider using some of the other combat options available rather than a straight attack.Make sure that they USE the magic in their possession intelligently. Potions and one-use items should get used against the players, especially if the monsters have time. Odd wondrous items can spice up an otherwise boring encounter. A friendly caster or two can greatly increase the challenge of an otherwise weak group of monsters, especially if he is buffing his friends rather than blasting the PCs.Spend some time actually building an optimized character here and there to mix in with the standard monsters.  Mix different types of monsters in the same encounter.</blockquote>