Unexpected TPK: Unbalanced, bad circumstances, or fluke?

[sinecure]

TPKs happen because players don't play well. They should have run when they determined they were beat.

 

[James McMurray]

If you're speed 5 and the monster is speed 6, running isn't always an option.

 

[AGiganticPanda]

TPKs happen because players don't play well. They should have run when they determined they were beat.

Um, I was down. Running wasn't an option period.

 

[sinecure]

Um, I was down. Running wasn't an option period.

Then you probably shouldn't have tackled them head on.

"Kick in the door" is pretty common since 3e though.

And with 4E, Hack & Slash is practically the whole game. So it's understandable that you would see Hack & Slash as the correct way to fight.

Put that still doesn't excuse bad play on your part.

 

[jadrax]

Hello, first post and I'm the Cleric in question.


Thnx for the advice, this is my first full D&D Campaign so I'm getting the hang of it bit by bit.

Welcome to Campaign level D&D, I hope you have a lot of fun playing.

 

[FadedC]

As a side note, there are a few low level monsters who I feel do a bit too much damage. I'd be reluctant to throw a whole group a fire beetles at a first level aprty, just as I'd be reluctant to throw a group of guard drakes or needlesfang drake swarms. Much like previous editions you should probably still eyeball the monsters before using them. This is probably even more important when you only have 2 players.

Also I think the poster claiming the party used poor tactics is completely out of line given that he has no idea what the setup was. If you get attacked by fire beetles in a random outdoor battle and go down before you can take an action, that's far from poor tactics.

 

[sinecure]

If you get attacked by fire beetles in a random outdoor battle and go down before you can take an action, that's far from poor tactics.

That has nothing to do with tactics. What that means is your outdoor traveling plan failed. And you should figure out a better way to do it.

 

[Regicide]

Put that still doesn't excuse bad play on your part.

Yes, how dare you be so incompetent as to not win initiative! *roll eyes*

 

[RefinedBean]

This is why pretty much every character I play ends up taking Improved Initiative.

Not because I like to run away.

But sometimes, I HAVE to run away.

 

[James McMurray]

If you roll init like I do, even Improved Initiative won't make you fast.