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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Remathilis" data-source="post: 4702575" data-attributes="member: 7635">Still, is it or is it not the DMs job to consider the "balanced" encounter paragrim?For example, I (as DM) decide that the next adventure will deal with a group of marauding monsters terrorizing local farming communities. My group is (lets say) 5th level. As a DM I have two choices.a.) Go with some monsters that are level appropriate (orcs, lizardmen, etc). b.) Go with something that seems "natural" but might not be an appropriate challenge (kobolds, hill giants).Both sides have merits. If the world is a natural ecology that doesn't take into account the relative level of the PCs (that is, the world exists for the PCs to make their way in irregardless of thier personal power) then using something wildly underpowered (kobolds) or overpowered (hill giants) are as equally valid as using something level appropriate (orcs). However, we can all agree the game runs better when the PCs relative power is taken into account (the world conforms to the PCs) so that the game isn't a cakewalk or a TPK. Which comes first, the chicken or the egg? The PCs or the World?It seems one side arguing the world comes first and if its appropriate for the town to be attacked by hill giants the by-gods here come the rain of boulders, it doesn't matter if the PCs are powerful enough to face them in combat, they'll think of something or chalk it up to another lost town. The other side is saying "but if the DM is going through the trouble of putting something there, then it makes sense the PCs should be able to handle it." There is no point in wasting time statting up monsters the PCs won't fight or creating scenarios that will either bore or crush their characters. While I DO agree powerful things should exist independent of PC levels (its not like giants magically move downriver and kick the orcs out now that the PCs are 10th level) you have to agree that by-and-large PCs should face appropriate level encounters and receive appropriate level rewards, otherwise its OK to use Hill giants as a challenge for 5th level PCs.</blockquote>

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