#dnd tip for encounter design: Once you have determined the goals, the stakes, and the consequences of the encounter, you are ready to take the next step. For me, that's figuring out which of the pillars (combat, exploration, social/roleplaying) I want to highlight. (1/4)
— Shawn Merwin (or a poor clone) (@shawnmerwin) February 11, 2019
It's fine to just focus on one. However, thinking of ways to combine can lead to truly memorable encounters. (2/4)
— Shawn Merwin (or a poor clone) (@shawnmerwin) February 11, 2019
Trying to convince one enemy to join your side while fighting another enemy is a great combat/social mix. Exploring a dynamic battlefield to find the key to shut down in the infernal machine while fighting the mad necromancer is great exploration/combat. (3/4)
— Shawn Merwin (or a poor clone) (@shawnmerwin) February 11, 2019
Navigating a dinner party to figure out which participants carry the dangerous spell focii is a great social/exploration. Paring down the encounter to the most interesting/fun elements gives you the highlights to design toward. (4/4)
— Shawn Merwin (or a poor clone) (@shawnmerwin) February 11, 2019