Is encounter-building that a big deal? In short, yes. So how has it changed in 2024?
Encounter balance in 2024: better or worse?

Is encounter-building that a big deal? In short, yes. So how has it changed in 2024?
If you have played 5th edition D&D in Tier 3 or 4, you will know how difficult it is to challenge players at these levels. A well-optimized party can steamroller through encounters without breaking a sweat. So how do you stop the game getting stale?
Encounter balance is a big worry for lots of new DMs out there. Here’s my take on the subject.
Most D&D campaigns begin at 1st level. Because of this, it can be hard to create an adventure that feels fresh and original. It is also the deadliest level of D&D, and a relatively ordinary enemy can kill an adventurer in a single blow. In this article, I look at how to plan a 1st-level adventure that is fun, exciting, original, and not too challenging.