Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Angelflesh 01-05-06, 03:33 PM	In the campaign i'm building i would really love to run encounters with 1-3 enemies in an area that has plenty of tactical advantages, some cover etc. (ex. An open area in a cavern with a bridge connecting to underground structures. The bridge is broken, small platforms below, hand holds or latters to reach ledges etc above, the broken bridge's gap able to be cleared with a hefty jump check, blah blah blah). Anyways, I want the enemies (humanoids with class levels) to use the environment in tactical ways and attack the PCs in advantageous ways. So my question is, is it worth the effort? I'm worried the PCs will just use direct damage area of effect spells or powers to attack foes behind walls or on a platform under the floor. Basically i'm worried the PCs wont formulate tactical maneuvers themselves and use their ranks in Str and Dex based skills to get around the area and spoil the encounter. Well, my question was a little longer than i would like, but i hope it's understandable. Any advice or pointers fro running such encounters would be appreciated.
Board_Rider 01-05-06, 04:11 PM	I think that you as the DM should use terrain to the enemies advantage just as much as the Players should have their PCs do the same. Most players may still easily defeat your encounter but at least you put forth the effort to show that your monsters have Intelligence and don't just stand there.
Koji 01-05-06, 05:20 PM	Part of the fun is setting up some elaborate deathtrap and watching them roll right over it, and then get stuck for an hour on some simple puzzle in the next room. It's good to create tactical ambushes sometimes, it keeps combat interesting.
Cathon 01-05-06, 05:51 PM	There are levels of intelligence and preparation. You need to ask yourself how much do your guys know about the PCs, how often do they fight magic using creatures and how intelligent are they? A very intelligent and prepared group who are expecting to be fireballed might drink potions of fire resistance and/or cat's grace after they are aware of the PCs, have one guy always have a ranged attack readied to attack the wizard when he sees them start spellcasting, perhaps even poison some arrows with Con poison to use on the wiz. If someone has to climb to reach them, readying attacks to use when the person is climbing and is denied their dex is good, particularly since it can also make them fall. If one of the humanoids is a spellcaster you will have all kinds of other options. Regardless, the humanoids should have a good generic attack plan for the area, they should be doing everything from cover. Since they are swift, they may want to have secondary positions after the PCs get past the first defenses, perhaps using caltrops to slow down the PCs. They should be designed to channel the PCs into areas where they attack them easily, hit them with stuff to slow them down and gang up on the PCs one at a time if they get through. That only really takes average intelligence and time and effort to prepare.