Variety is the spice of life

[Spatula]

After DMing 4e a bit, I put a limit of 3 different monsters per encounter for myself. I found that keeping track of more than 3 was too tough, but on top of that I do not think that it's needed. Most foes are nameless targets; they don't all have to be special or unique.

I ran into the same issue (only moreso) with NPC parties in 3e.

 

[Shroomy]

On Monday, my players finished the first arc of my campaign, which involved them putting down a gang of Asmodeus worshipping halflings. I got plenty of mileage out of halfing stouts, thieves, prowlers, and a reskinned halfling cleric of Torog.

 

[MrMyth]

The actual strength of the variety, I've found, is not in being able to throw out 6 different types of enemy in one encounter. It is the ability to have an entire Kobold warren, and have every single fight feel different and unique. Rather than just a bunch of identical kobolds over and over again.

Instead, the Compendium has 40 different options for Kobolds (well, probably 30 or so once you trim out repeats and named guys). Sure, you can have some basic minions in most fights to help the tribe feel consistent, but the ability for each fight to otherwise feature completely different guys in it? That's huge. And that's even before getting into other customizing you can do with templates or other modifications.

Similarly, I'm running a game right now dealing with a Primordial's army trying to conquer the Elemental Chaos. I need Archons, I got two-dozen to choose from. I need Giants, I have almost a hundred. Elementals? Tons. And even within any given sub-category (Iron Archons, Hill Giants, etc), there are usually at least 3-4 options to choose from, if not more.

So yeah, I'm very happy with the variety on hand and how much easier it makes my game.

 

[blargney the second]

putting down a gang of Asmodeus worshipping halflings.

I *love* fighting halflings. Especially when they dodge INTO a crit.

 

[Evilhalfling]

Now I want to run a gang of asmodeus worshiping halflings

but they don't live in the area my game is set - perhaps a wandering troop??
creating a Circus the Damned may be more work than I want to do ATM.
anyone want to put in come suggestions?

Or I can make do with the Far Realm Tainted gnomes that have already been hinted/foreshadowed...

 

[Pickles JG]

The actual strength of the variety, I've found, is not in being able to throw out 6 different types of enemy in one encounter. It is the ability to have an entire Kobold warren, and have every single fight feel different and unique. Rather than just a bunch of identical kobolds over and over again.

This. In fact is saddens me when there are complaints about people facing the same fight over & over again in published modules.
For those races with little variety I just reskin something that feels right & maybe swap in a racial power or terrain walk type ability.

 

[Aeolius]

I thought paprika was the spice of life.

 

[fba827]

Now I want to run a gang of asmodeus worshiping halflings

Somehow, I expected someone with the screenname "EvilHalfling" to say that!