Category Archives: Encounters

Selling The Drama

Posted on May 17, 2012 by

Regardless of the actions that take place during combat encounters in Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition, it is the responsibility of the DM to ensure the players know what they are fighting for and both how and why monsters are reacting to them … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, DM Advice, Encounters, PC Behavior | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Critical Overload

Posted on May 15, 2012 by

I am discovering a growing “problem” in my campaign. The number of critical hits leveled against monsters during any given combat encounter in our Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition campaign is getting out of hand and it is effecting my … Continue reading →

Posted in DM Advice, Encounters, PC Behavior | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 35 Comments

Lest Ye Be Judged

Posted on April 26, 2012 by

Character alignment has been something that is largely overlooked in the D&D campaigns I am a part of – either as a PC or a DM. Generally the players are Lawful, Lawful Good or Neutral on their character sheet but … Continue reading →

Posted in DM Advice, Encounters, PC Behavior | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Discount Fares to Shattered Isles

Posted on April 9, 2012 by

I previously detailed a skill challenge that featured the party chasing their prey along the rooftops of Gloomwrought. Once the party finally corners their prey – in this case, traitors of Ghost Talon – the unstable building in the Shattered … Continue reading →

Posted in DM Advice, Encounters | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Gloomwrought’s Final Destination

Posted on April 3, 2012 by

One of the fun challenges of running a session in the Shadowfell is trying to convey the magnitude of wickedness, gloom, despair and violence. The DM can hit the five senses quickly through flavor text, but the Shadowfell seems to call for even more attention … Continue reading →

Posted in DM Advice, Encounters | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Drink It!

Posted on March 6, 2012 by

I have the good fortune of playing with a gaming group that has a great deal of terrain and miniatures for combat encounters. The host of our game has been collecting such items for many years, and members of our group … Continue reading →

Posted in DM Advice, Encounters, PC Behavior | Tagged , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Fountain of Sorrow: Solo Contest Winner

Posted on May 10, 2011 by

Last month, David Flor over at A Walk In The Dark sent out notice that he was running a contest. The challenge was for DMs to create an encounter for Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition with a Solo monster. David listed … Continue reading →

Posted in DM Advice, Encounters | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Dungeon Master Definition (Part II): Ambushes & Destiny

Posted on April 6, 2011 by

In Part I earlier in the week I discussed recent communications with other gamers on Twitter, which led me to question the role of a Dungeon Master. I wanted to use an encounter I created last year as an illustration of some … Continue reading →

Posted in DM Advice, Encounters, PC Behavior | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments