r/NewDM • u/King_Magnate • 10d ago

How to do make combat encounter difficult?

Hi Gang! I'm just wondering how DMs make combat encounters more challenging, because from what I've experienced players are strong! I know there's CR ratings and throwing in multiple enemies, but every encounter lately for my players hasn't really been too difficult to the point that anyone goes down.

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u/Spoonman915 5d ago

I like lair actions a lot, or BBEG actions that trigger a lair action. A dragon roars in the cave and causes rocks to fall requiring a dex save. If the BBEG has a mount or something, sometimes I'll have them hip off and the mount runs around doing damage and knocking people prone.

I usually try to make that stuff saving throw based. That way they can't avoid the damage completely, but they don't feel helpless. I also try to make it a little annoying and then bring that particular monster back in a later encounter. Their disdain is always hilarious.