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<blockquote data-quote="phloog" data-source="post: 4208206" data-attributes="member: 59219">I guess that's where I wasn't being clear on my shifting of more responsibility onto the DM. During the combats, if I know that a PC will be present who is weaker in combat, I will provide either some lesser part of the combat for them to participate in, or I will provide a sideline activity which requires equal ATTENTION for them during the battle...never said it was easy though.I guess I'll probably make things worse with examples, but here goes:My wizard stinks at combat - if he takes a hit he'll likely be at 1/2 hit points or worse.&nbsp; The DM knows the BBEG is a huge demon with a Greataxe in each hand.&nbsp; When I'm creating or revising the adventure, I can either:1) Surround the demon with low-level grunts - if these aren't taken care of, the fighters will have to wade through them while the demon is free to individually lay the smackdown on others in the party.&nbsp; The non-com wizard uses sleep/hypnosis/etc. to create a direct path so the barbarian can engage the demon2) Make the demon TWO versions - one is how they encounter him, the other is a weakened form.&nbsp; The stronger form is because he is powered by [Ancient Device / Old Magical Ritual / Link to Elder Gods / Etc.] -- the craven wizard is able to 'damage' the demon through his skills and arcane knowledge, by Throwing the Right Switches / Actively working to dispel the ritual / breaking the linkThe same is true for specific skills, though you have to work to avoid Deus Ex Machina problems (&quot;Wow....Woodcarving always seems to play a part in defeating evil!&quot;)But if the DM is willing to work on the adventure, and makes sure he is familiar with the full set of each player's abilities, there is no need for boredom for anyone.&nbsp; I will admit that perhaps I've just been lucky.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="phloog, post: 4208206, member: 59219"] I guess that's where I wasn't being clear on my shifting of more responsibility onto the DM. During the combats, if I know that a PC will be present who is weaker in combat, I will provide either some lesser part of the combat for them to participate in, or I will provide a sideline activity which requires equal ATTENTION for them during the battle...never said it was easy though. I guess I'll probably make things worse with examples, but here goes: My wizard stinks at combat - if he takes a hit he'll likely be at 1/2 hit points or worse. The DM knows the BBEG is a huge demon with a Greataxe in each hand. When I'm creating or revising the adventure, I can either: 1) Surround the demon with low-level grunts - if these aren't taken care of, the fighters will have to wade through them while the demon is free to individually lay the smackdown on others in the party. The non-com wizard uses sleep/hypnosis/etc. to create a direct path so the barbarian can engage the demon 2) Make the demon TWO versions - one is how they encounter him, the other is a weakened form. The stronger form is because he is powered by [Ancient Device / Old Magical Ritual / Link to Elder Gods / Etc.] -- the craven wizard is able to 'damage' the demon through his skills and arcane knowledge, by Throwing the Right Switches / Actively working to dispel the ritual / breaking the link The same is true for specific skills, though you have to work to avoid Deus Ex Machina problems ("Wow....Woodcarving always seems to play a part in defeating evil!") But if the DM is willing to work on the adventure, and makes sure he is familiar with the full set of each player's abilities, there is no need for boredom for anyone. I will admit that perhaps I've just been lucky. [/QUOTE]

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