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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Randomthoughts" data-source="post: 5702661" data-attributes="member: 6681248">That's my background as well. After amassing a collection of 2e material (and later selling the whole set), I drifted away from D&D only to come back more than a year ago to run a 4e Dark Sun campaign. Anyway, a lot of good advice here. Let me underscore a few things:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Condition Tracking: Quickleaf is spot on about this. Whether you use rings, tokens, magnetic bases, a computer or whatnot, you definitely need  a system. The complexity is not only based on the number of conditions but also when they expire (e.g., end of PC's turn, end of monster's turn, save ends, etc.). Fortunately, there are a few that you should become familiar with - like bloodied. And read the adventure before hand to get a sense of what conditions monsters and PCs will use. I tell the players to track the conditions they impose (like debuffs) to make it easier for me. If you make your own adventures, feel free to modify creature powers to make it easier to handle (like I tend to avoid save end conditions except for powerful monsters).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Skill Challenges: Take a look at Rules Compendium pages 157-163 on a pretty good (and updated) description on SC. If you get the DMG2, I'd read pages 78-101 as well. In many ways, SC mirrors what veteran DMs have done for some time...but with structure. But it can also be run in a mind-numbing way - treating it as a series of dice rolls that players will just wan to get it over with. Don't fall into that trap.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Monster Powers: Encounter design is pretty easy (as stated) but running a GREAT encounter takes a lot more. I read the monster stat blocks (duh) and try to understand what each power does. For prepared adventures, I like reading any "monster tactics" section. There tends not to be many powers, but even one power can give that monster its "schtick". Most monsters have something unique, whether based on its role (brute, lurker, etc.) or type (orcs, kobolds, etc.).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Combat Length and Pacing: This has been mentioned before, but I'd double the amount of time you think your first few combats will last. Players (unless they really prepare) will take time thinking about what their powers could do and how their roles interact. Even then, I'd prompt them to make (relatively) quick decisions - which works if you don't demand perfect tactics in order to win.</li> </ul>Hope you enjoy 4e. I certainly have!</blockquote>

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