This is a topic that even those of us who love D&D 4e cannot always agree on.
One of the challenges when creating a low-level encounter is, how can I build an epic battle without overwhelming the party?
4th edition’s answer to this was minions. Monsters with mostly the same stats as a regular monster for that level, but only a single hit point.
You could have a bunch of them on the battlefield without worrying, as much, that they would wipe out the party. One hit and they were done.
But not everyone likes the idea.
What do you think about minions?
Are they a great way to create epic battles? Do they try to trick the players? Do they make the encounters too complicated? Should they make a comeback in 2024?
My simplistic view is it depends a bit on the nature and skill of the party. In some ways, having to individually punch the ticket of successive one-point monsters can make for an unsatisfying encounter. But if with one skillful swing of my blade, I can cleave a few in twain, I think I’d feel that was something cool. Having these options is great, but tuning the challenge/risk/reward has to be done right.
That is a good point. A lot depends on the makeup of the party and attacks available to them. And the DM needs to play into those strengths. A group of minions with mob attack traits would be a perfect target as they group together.
My simplistic view is it depends a bit on the nature and skill of the party. In some ways, having to individually punch the ticket of successive one-point monsters can make for an unsatisfying encounter. But if with one skillful swing of my blade, I can cleave a few in twain, I think I’d feel that was something cool. Having these options is great, but tuning the challenge/risk/reward has to be done right.
That is a good point. A lot depends on the makeup of the party and attacks available to them. And the DM needs to play into those strengths. A group of minions with mob attack traits would be a perfect target as they group together.