So we are playing a campaign (I'm gm) it's been combat based not so much story. I almost lost the party to a tough fight till the big bads decided to let the minions handle the light work. Should I be scaling down at 3rd level what wasn't scaled before. And truth be told the party could have had four cr4 fights instead of two cr 9s. Did I do them any favor by having the bosses retire for the evening. Half the party was down and I thought that they'd show arrogance like a proper villain. Could it all have been just dumb luck. None of the players seem concerned its mostly just my worry. 1st decent time running a group. Last two were disasters due to one PC who is no longer welcome at group.