I'm running a game for an unorthodox group, and I have put them in situations that they were sufficiently challenged mostly because of poor preparation and poor tactics. Some of these situations have taught them to think ahead and use things.
Things they've learned:
- Carry around ranged weapons, for those times when things are flying
- Carry around light, places get dark and concealment sucks
- Wands are useful, they picked one up with scorching ray (it's used up already, though)
- Getting magical weapons, it's good to keep up your defense and offense when you can
Things they haven't learned:
- Actually using the ranged weapons; they only use them when they can't possibly use melee weapons. This has led to some humorous but poorly executed attacks (such as climbing / leaping to attack)
- Using the potions that they keep on their belt; they'd rather rely on channeling despite the fact that they don't actually have a cleric (the pally is a hospitaler archetype)
- Using the battlefield to their advantage; I usually put in terrain and objects which could be used for cover or concealment, they are usually in offensive mode though...
- Fighting defensively; they never use this, even when it would be more advantageous.
- Saving smite for the one that's actually hard to kill; the paladin tends to use up her smite on the first evil thing she sees.
The roleplay is good, but when it comes to combat their tactics are kind of barbaric (Full on attack, rely on heals to stay up).
The problem with full-on aggression is that they're split up, and after killing one bad guy, they rush on to the next. At 5th level, the paladin is only healing 1d6 and they've got potions that heal 3d8+3.
And while I agree that killing the enemy and thus stopping the damage is more important than recovering damage, they target the closest ones rather than the ones that deal the most damage. The paladin on the other hand could have been finishing off the one that's dealing 1d10+6 damage twice around instead of healing 1d6 to 3 people.
I've actually seen them run into cramped areas to attack one and get surrounded and trapped.
They are powerful and do great against a handful badguys as long as they are not flying or otherwise out of their reach. However, outside of those circumstances, they really throw themselves for a loop.
Happily, some groups will learn (even if slowly) from smart groups of monsters that beat up on them.
Saddly, some will not. I've been with groups that will get upset if the monsters don't lineup and wait their turn for a beat down.
My current group is not that bad. They've learned to switch back and forth from ranged to melee as appropriate. They still sometimes have trouble deciding who the bad guy is. (Which is really odd considering all the mental casting options they don't always use.) Almost never purchase consumable magic items, though they will sometimes use the one found.
Hiya.
Well, recounting my group at the time...throw re-DEEK-uously tough monsters and situations at them. In short, play a "killer DM" roll for a bit. Actively *try* and kill at least half the party every session...don't cheat. Keep your DM'ing firmly in the "arbiter of fairness" side of the fence. What you are trying to do here is, effectively, the DM equivalent of "tough love" I guess (if you have the means, go read the Hackmaster 4th Edition GMG for exactly what I'm talking about...brutal, but fair).
Y'see, it sounds like your players prefer the "balls to the walls, full out attack" style because it always works...except when it doesn't. If the "when it doesn't" part doesn't come up very often because you try not to do that because they don't deal with it well, they have learned that "attack, Attack, ATTACK!" is the best course of action. You need to get them to pee themselves. You need to get them to get all clamy and sweaty as they see their HP's dwindling. You need to get them to the point where they outright PANIC and just say "AAAAaaaa! Run for it! RUN!!!!!".
The first time you get them in this situation they will likely be both upset at you, and thrilled. Even if/when they say they "get it", don't let up. Keep at them...hard. They may whine and moan about the unfairness of it all, but after a few sessions of this, they will become better players. They will start to think more "how do I get an advantage?" simply because they will never know if an encounter is going to go all pear-shaped on them...and if that does, having those extra 9 hit points, or that +1 to AC, or 25% concealment may make ALL the difference.
If they keep dieing repeatedly...you're pretty much hooped and your players will NEVER get better. Ever. Don't dwell on it, just try and figure out other things that keep you entertained when DM'ing and have fun. :)
^_^
Paul L. Ming