Challenging encounters? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Challenging encounters? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
dovewood
07-15-04, 03:37 PM I have recently returned to GMing and I am still a novice to the latest incarnation of D&D so I am having some trouble gaging the encounter difficulty for my players.

We are currently averaging level 10 and we have 4 PCs 1 Fighter, 1 Ranger/Rogue 1 Cleric and 1 Wizard.

My problem is that the warrior in the group is becoming rather mighty and is greatly outdistancing all other pcs in combat. Since we have only one major combatant all of the characters have to get involved in combat. If I place encounters that will be challenging for the fighter then the other characters are pummeled and if I place encounters for the less combative characters the fighter cake walks through it all. Do any of you have any suggestions on how to make combat encounters balanced for all involved?

I would appreciate any suggestions
Erichsen
07-15-04, 10:32 PM Have a cleric cast hold person or something similar on the fighter.
Seeker95
07-15-04, 11:15 PM Forcecage the fighter.
Use the windowless version.

Grapple the wizard.

Silence the cleric.
Cast it on someone that engages the cleric in hand-to-hand combat.

Pick off the ranger/rogue from a distance.
The harpy archer is great for this!
thalious
07-16-04, 12:28 AM I found that using minatures and good tactics I can effectively challenge almost any single Stand Out PC(s) with out having to appear as I am going harder on one PC vs another.
dovewood
07-16-04, 08:54 AM Excellent, thank you for the suggestions. I hope to make Mondays session a little more challenging for the PCs.
Guttercrawl
07-16-04, 09:01 AM If you want to really challenge an entire group. Standout PC or not. Look into spiders ----- my Players hate spiders.

Stealth, surprise, webs & numbers can drive your players mad & really get them thinking about an encounter. SPIDERS!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
dovewood 07-15-04, 03:37 PM	I have recently returned to GMing and I am still a novice to the latest incarnation of D&D so I am having some trouble gaging the encounter difficulty for my players. We are currently averaging level 10 and we have 4 PCs 1 Fighter, 1 Ranger/Rogue 1 Cleric and 1 Wizard. My problem is that the warrior in the group is becoming rather mighty and is greatly outdistancing all other pcs in combat. Since we have only one major combatant all of the characters have to get involved in combat. If I place encounters that will be challenging for the fighter then the other characters are pummeled and if I place encounters for the less combative characters the fighter cake walks through it all. Do any of you have any suggestions on how to make combat encounters balanced for all involved? I would appreciate any suggestions
Erichsen 07-15-04, 10:32 PM	Have a cleric cast hold person or something similar on the fighter.
Seeker95 07-15-04, 11:15 PM	Forcecage the fighter. Use the windowless version. Grapple the wizard. Silence the cleric. Cast it on someone that engages the cleric in hand-to-hand combat. Pick off the ranger/rogue from a distance. The harpy archer is great for this!
thalious 07-16-04, 12:28 AM	I found that using minatures and good tactics I can effectively challenge almost any single Stand Out PC(s) with out having to appear as I am going harder on one PC vs another.
dovewood 07-16-04, 08:54 AM	Excellent, thank you for the suggestions. I hope to make Mondays session a little more challenging for the PCs.
Guttercrawl 07-16-04, 09:01 AM	If you want to really challenge an entire group. Standout PC or not. Look into spiders ----- my Players hate spiders. Stealth, surprise, webs & numbers can drive your players mad & really get them thinking about an encounter. SPIDERS!