There are entire threads devoted to certain encounters or opponents (e.g. Khala, Olangru, Vanthus in Farshore). For the other ones that don't really merit their own threads, let's put little "tactics summaries" here to share with other DMs.
Here's one:
Scenario: "Here There Be Monsters"
Encounter: Ilzytik [sp?], the spirit naga in the shrine to Demogorgon
Tactic: When the party proves tough to defeat, Ilzytik will move to the east end of the room and order a charmed character to trigger the ice storm trap (she is fully aware of it), hoping it will catch most of the party (she will be outside its 20' radius). This shouldn't be considered something the PC "wouldn't ordinarily do", but a DM may rule that it breaks the charm (see charm person). In any case, the party naturally would receive normal XP for encountering the trap.
I'm always down with tactical evaluations of various encounters in the AP. Some of them are begging to be tinkered with (in a good way). I've done my share of posting on other threads regarding my changes to various encounters.
One notable change I've made to the AP has been evident in Sasserine, and hopefully in Scuttlecove when my PCs reach it. I'm encouraging NPC encounters to use firearms, like pistols and muskets, as mentioned in the DMG. The first shot fired in the AP was an 11-point musket blast to the crusader's chest, and he was still standing! Kinda stirs up the bullets-n-buccaneers in me. Yarrr!!
Excellent Idea for a thread...
Adventure: Tides of Dread
Senario: The Final battle when the Crimson Fleet assaults Farshore
Tactic: Two front attack on farshore.
I didnt run this battle as a series of encounters as suggested. Instead I ran it as an all out round by round war. I knew the poor pirates in the row boats would be sitting ducks for my PC's flying antics, as would the inbound ships themselves... so i added another attack tot he battle.
The Crimson fleet allied themselves with a more reclusive tribe of olman, nad have had them spying on farshore and their preperations for the 2 months preceeding the battle... Anyway.. as soon as Crimson fleet ships were spotted heading into the farshore cove... The Olaman attacked on the other side of town from the jungle.
They were assisted by a Elder fiendish Xorn (burrowed right under the wall and went to work inside the town) and multiple summoned undead (a couple incorporeal wraiths...also already within the walls). This Battle (distraction) gave the crimson ships time to get into position and the flesh golems time to get to shore. All-in-all it went really well. As soon as they finished off the olman attack the Golems emerged and the fireballs balista and catapult stones began raining down... all the while scores of blood thirsty pirates are approaching in rowboats....decisions...decisions... :)