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Message: <blockquote data-quote="malkav666" data-source="post: 4806954" data-attributes="member: 70565">Ahhh..Player targeting is always a touchy topic. As far how I play my monsters in that regard it really depends on how smart they are, and how well they work together. When fighting creatures that aren't so smart or devious, I just have them attack the closest PC, or determine it randomly if more than one target is easily accessible.For more intelligent critters I tend to jot down a quick priority list/tactics flow chart for the group and tend to follow it closely during the fight. For big encounters or incredibly smart creatures. I tend to not hold back any punches and try and make the most optimal choice that the creature could make.But if you are worried about using meta to harm your kids, then just take a look at the monster from a roleplaying standpoint. Is it smart? If it is, then what information does it have about the group to base its decisions on? If you have a player running around in a dress flinging spells, then I think its fair for a balor to assume that the character may have fewer HP than the huge tin-can warrior charging at it, and could make choices accordingly.Where meta play on the part of the DM becomes bad is in a scenario where the DM targets players based on mechanical information that the monster would have no way to know. For example in your stun scenario: if there where two characters equipped similarly and you choose a target based upon HP qualifications for a spell. That is badwrong. In short if you roleplay your monsters using the same set of guidelines you expect from your players regarding meta-play, then it should not be a regular problem. IMO of course.love,malkav</blockquote>

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