Variety

Variety in encounters is essential to let players try new tactics and give different PCs chances to shine as they face foes with weak points they're uniquely suited to exploiting. Consider the following forms of encounter variety.

• Theme: Look for ways to include varied creatures and locations. Even if the PCs are fighting the undead privateers of the Corpse Fleet, they should encounter other creatures, too!
• Difficulty: A string of moderate-threat encounters can feel flat. Use low- and even trivial-threat encounters to give PCs chances to really shine, and severe-threat encounters for especially powerful enemies. Extreme-threat encounters should be used sparingly for enemies who match the threat posed by the PCs and have a solid chance of beating them! The adventure recipes on page 68 include a mix of combat difficulties that can be useful to look at.
• Complexity: Many encounters should be simple. Save complexity for important or memorable fights.
• Encounter Composition: The number of creatures per encounter and their levels should vary. Higher-level single enemies, squads of enemies, and large numbers of lackeys all feel different.
• Setup: Not all encounters should start and end the same way. PCs might sneak up on unprepared enemies, get ambushed by foes hunting them, enter into a formal duel, or find a diplomatic overture fails and turns into a fight. On the other side, enemies might all be taken out, retreat, beg for mercy, or even shift the encounter to a chase or transform into another phase.
• Terrain: Encounters should account for different types of movement and ranged weapons. Elevation can increase range in close quarters. Adding a hazard, cover, or other terrain features changes a combat and can make a familiar map feel dynamic.