when it comes to module design, how do you go about balancing the amount of combat vs non combat encounters(RP or otherwise)? Do you usually favor one or another, or try to balance and let the DM make adjustments based on the group? I kind of dodge the question – I try to avoid creating situations where only combat or interaction will work, largely because you can never tell what crazy crap the players might pull

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) August 13, 2018

That is…now that I think about it, the right answer and the one I think I knew in my heart of hearts. Thank you, good sir. On that note, have you ever struggled to inspire your players to approach encounters more creatively? How did you handle it? Try laying out interesting stuff for them to try, or show an NPC doing something interesting. I’d also think about how I present DCs – err on the side of allowing a thing to work without a check.

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) August 13, 2018