Community,
Any suggestions of a "average" APL for an optimized group? I'm thinking that their average is probably the equivalent of challenging. Should it be hard? Or even epic? Anyone have any experience with this particular topic and found a particular APL to be appropriate for an optimized group?
Thanks for your thoughts.
it seems to me that on average this is something you need to feel out for your group. I do know a number of people talk of apl +3 or 4 but I have no experience there as aside from boss fights this would destroy the group I play with.
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It depends on how optimized the group is. If they're steamrolling APL+2 or +3 encounters easily, you should probably bump them up by 1 APL. It actually goes quite a long way.
If they're steamrolling APL +0 and APL +1 encounters, that's no big deal. They're supposed to do that. Don't bump up their APL for it.
Community,
Any suggestions of a "average" APL for an optimized group? I'm thinking that their average is probably the equivalent of challenging. Should it be hard? Or even epic? Anyone have any experience with this particular topic and found a particular APL to be appropriate for an optimized group?
Thanks for your thoughts.
It depends on the group. I usually keep the APL the same, but change tactics and feats. If that does not work I give them gear they can use. I normally don't have to take it beyond that.
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In my experience, I try not to go below APL+2 if I can help it. Most of the groups I've GM'd for would rather have a tough battle where half the group almost kicks the bucket but they're victorious in the end. Everybody has a great story, plus more XP and loot than if it had been an easier fight. As an added bonus, harder fights take up a bit more game time if you're of the type that likes to "wing it".
Of course, the group I'm GMing for right now is about 8 players, so I've been going with APL+3 or 4 just because there's so many of them.
Thank you for the advice all!
If that does not work I give them gear they can use. I normally don't have to take it beyond that.
Do you mean gear they can't use?
Personally I found that "optimized" parties start to get really effective at high levels, at low levels their builds haven't matured yet.
Note: This experience comes from 3.5, I haven't really played a lot of pathfinder yet.