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I'm a DM of 6 players, they've been playing pathfinder for several months (at least once a week) but they still miss out many mechanics that they could use in order to struggle less in fights and while exploring, they just seem to "forget" such things exists.

For example, they got a rogue with trapfinding that doesn't go ahead of the party and look for traps in a dungeon, he also doesn't even try to scout ahead in search for dangers.

So i thought about running a "tutorial" session next week in order to teach them a thing or two.

Basically this is the setting:

The PC's must convince they're strong enough to bring with them the lost relic that 2 paladins are keeping safe without getting killed by evil forces.
In order to demonstrate that the paladins demand the party to explore a dungeon and then fight a mirrored match (i will use their character sheets and items) in an arena.

The mechanics:

Basically every action they will do can add or cut points from a "total party score", they must reach a certain party score in order to get the relic, else they must face another dungeon with a very dangerous monster inside.

I will rate every significant action they will do, i will reward generously teamworking and particularly intelligent moves while punishing egoistic moves or the stupid stuff they do (such as attempting to do something that has low chance of success and dire consequences on failure).

Also, i will cut points when they don't do something they should do, such as sending the rogue ahead or forgetting to add bonuses to their rolls (i try to remember them but frankly i can't always pay attention on 6 PC's + 4 pets and also my NPC's)

Teachings i plan to insert:
- mechanics of flanking, charging and sneak attack
- Basic roles they should have in battle
- Use of the environment at their advantage
- Use of their spells and abilities
- Use of rogue out of battle
- Coordination and pre-planning
- No gambling except when it is necessary

What do you think about this idea? Do you have any suggestion to improve it? There is a mechanic you suggest i should teach?

Agénor wrote:

- my initial answer, addressing the O.P. at length got lost in the warp and I don't have time to rewrite it all for now -

In short, talk to your G.M. Your problem doesn't lie with the gear in the least bit but in the combat encounters. Also, how do encounters outside of combat go?

TxSam88 wrote:

Most GM's don't know enough about the game to create well written, balanced, level appropriate encounters.

Your inference from anecdotal evidence is weak, your statement is too broad. Most G.M. I've played with have a good idea of what they are doing, with the diegesis as well as with the system.

I've played since 1983, even done some work for WOTC, played at multiple conventions as well as in multiple countries, while there are some great GMs out there, most players and GM's have barely cracked open a rulebook, much less taken the time to read one cover to cover. While I've seen some great homebrew adventures that are very well written, balanced and written thorough enough to account for most issues, those are most certainly the exception to the rule. The vast majority of GMs out there are just doing things ad hoc and have very little clue how to make things balanced, enjoyable and level appropriate.

In this case you're right, he didn't read the book at all.

He calls me a rule lawyer and a min maxer because i take the right feats and read and understand the rules.

https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/character-advancement/

I showed him this very simple table for the character wealth and explained him that CR is based also on the PC equipment and he said "i don't care, my campaign is low gold" and that's it.

i tried to explain him that a Newbie DM can't really balance encounters just using his istinct, he needs a guideline but he refuses to follow any.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nx-o8VAjhUwh3nnfzDQT-JA5eFLnN_BZJiBitGj BMDg/edit

I gave him this guide so he could understand what i meant, but i bet he didn't read it since we had to face a badly nerfed Shoggoth that caused a TPK (we were level 7 at the time)

If i were him i would have just used a different system because it doesn't match his GM'ing style

Pathfinder unfortunately relies a lot rules, there is a rule basically for everything and that's why he struggles when balancing combat encounters.

The story he's telling is not something huge, mythic, unique but he manages to make it good through narration,details and acting.

But when it comes to a combat ESPECIALLY against a boss it is always either TPK or plot armor because he struggles to balance it.

The fact that he refuses to collaborate with other people, seeking guidance demonstrates that he's not made for GM'ing with pathfinder system.