which encounter type is more challenging ?

[changoo]

I know the first answer that pops into mind is "it depends on the group of players", where someone like hack and slash, other search role play interactions and non-combat even with the most evil monster; anyway I'm sure you prefer some kind of encounter instead of another. Players of mine answered:

. encounter with mixed skill challenge and combat
. encounter with a lot of enemies (but not minions) instead of a solo/elite
. strongly interaction with terrain (urban and forest locations)
. combat session with a limited time of actions
. encounter with bluff/intimidate/diplomacy way of solution during the fight.

some of this implies some mechanical problem with the PX (mixing a skill challenge with a combat, or conclude an encounter prematurely are not usually managed by the rules, anyway those remain secondary problem compared with the high level of fun derived from a more original way to overcome a challenge and slash the evils)

what kind of encounter, complex or simple, is more intriguing for you ?

 

[defendi]

I use Critical Matters (by Final Redoubt Press, which I own) for increased crit lethality. That said, the most challenging fight my level 30 PCs had involved 6 x their number in minions. The fight didn't start until they were in an oddly shaped hall with side hallways and the first minions appeared on the other end, drawing them into a bad tactical situation with halls opening behind them. The minions entered at a rate of 1d4+1 a round as they came out of the barracks that were down the side halls. The warlord lost her leg, and while it wasn't a TPK (and probably didn't come very close) it was a scary fight for them, partly because a lot of their dailies weren't designed around killing a lot of minions a few at a time.

 

[Mengu]

I find that the most interesting, challenging, and entertaining encounters are when there is a side or main purpose other than "kill them all".

It can be in the form of time bomb, innocent bystanders, damsel in distress, put out the fire, exorcise the demon without killing the host, etc. Doesn't have to be a skill challenge during combat, though sometimes it is.

 

[Prestidigitalis]

I'm going to assume that you are really looking for "interesting" rather than "challenging"; it's hard to imagine your group would vote for "more challenging" if they had the choice of "more interesting".

Here are some things that have made for interesting combats in our group:

- Combats with more than just two sides, including those where there are third parties present who might well jump in on either side. Note: the DM probably knows what the third party is likely to do, even if the players don't.

- Combats with people or creatures the PCs have previously met or heard about, even if they aren't particularly powerful. For example, that bodyguard/henchman is much more satisfying to take down if you encountered him three levels earlier without the boss around (and before you even knew who his boss was) and he not only sent you fleeing but insulted your hair style on the way out.

- Combats with a staccato rhythm, e.g. combats with multiple waves of enemies; a relatively brief combat followed by another one without enough time in between for a short rest; combats where the tempo changes dramatically when the BBEG gets a power-up due to becoming bloodied.