Secondary Objectives

One of the simplest and most exciting ways to create a dynamic encounter, even if the combat itself isn't so difficult, is to add a secondary objective beyond simply defeating foes. Perhaps the imperial troops are about to execute captives, and some of the PCs need to divert their efforts to avoid a massacre. Encounters with a parallel objective that requires PCs to take actions other than destroying foes can keep those foes around long enough to do interesting things without inflating their power level. It also gives PCs skilled in areas related to the side mission a chance to shine.

Sometimes a secondary objective might present a time limit, like if the PCs need to prevent evidence from being deleted, either by fighting quickly or by disconnecting or stealing the computer it's stored on. Another type of secondary objective relates to how the PCs engage in combat with the primary opposition. The PCs might need to use nonlethal attacks against security guards who mistakenly believe the PCs are criminals, or they might need to prevent security drones from retreating to alert others. Options like these highlight mobile characters like the operative. You could even create truly off-the-wall secondary objectives that require the PCs to lose the encounter in order to succeed. The PCs might need to put up a believable fight but retreat and let foes steal their urban cruiser in order to follow the foes back to their base. Secondary objectives are a great way to highlight different abilities in combat and make for a memorable encounter, but—like all of these tactics—they can become annoying if overused.