Tips for running D&D Encounters

[gaptooth]

Also I've seen nothing to beat the official WoTC magnetic initiative tracker. (A board, three sets of magnetic oblongs of different colours - write the names of the PCs on oblongs of one colour, and another colour for the monsters. When initiative is rolled sort the whole thing into order where everyone can see - and move the counters when people delay/ready so they easily slot in to the new action spaces).

Thanks for the recommendation! I searched the Wizards D&D site up and down, but I could not find this product. Either they don't stock it anymore, or they don't want to sell it. Or else, I just had a mental lapse and missed the obvious. I found a similar product on the Paizo website, but I couldn't tell how it would help. I should have asked about it at the game shop tonight, but it fled my mind.

For us, it's important for everyone to be able to see the initiative, especially to see when they are "on deck". It's not hard for me to track it on an index card, but then no one is ready to take their turn when their turn comes.

What we do now is this: I use my own miniatures and tokens for the combat, and I use duplicate miniatures lined up in initiative order beside the map where everyone can see. For monsters in the initiative, I use the generic numbered tokens that came with the first chapter's materials, and I try to use numbers that correspond to the numbers on the actual monster tokens on the map.

If there's a faster way, I'd love to know. I'm not keen on a software solution since I don't have a smart phone and I don't bring my laptop to the table-- I love it, but I get to look at it enough throughout the week.

Thanks again!

 

[samursus]

For initiative, in my games I have one player be responsible for keeping track and organizing the results, usually on a laminated surface.

For quicker combats have some enemies surrender/run away when it is obvious they will lose. Also point out to your players that one use of the Intimidate skill can cause an enemy to surrender when bloodied.

If your players are all about the roleplaying, give them what they want. IMO 4e is the most tactically interesting and fun version of D&D to date, but I know many others are less interested in tactics, so have your combats be straight forward, and dare I say, easy.

I also agree with the poster who recommended setting up a home game with this group, possibly, if its not too much of a problem.

Good luck!