Party problem in 5e D&D

>>49277460

>So, what advice can I bring to our DM about creating challenging but balanced encounters?

He's fucked because youre playing D&D. If he doesn't have a feel for what would be challenging for your party and doesn't know how to fudge on the fly then there's really nothing to be done. Obviously the CR system has failed to produce a balanced encounter as it often does.

Also

>DM is upset because you beat his encounter too easily
Must be new. He'll get over it eventually or maybe even develop a better sense of the game.

>>49277460
>We just recently curb-stomped a CR 20 encounter. And by 'curb stomp' I mean 'completely wiped out an entire party of hostile paladins who had the drop on us, in two rounds, without taking more than 6 HP of damage amongst the entire group). We're all level 6.
Your DM is probably not playing the game right.

Cam you give some encounter info. ThI'd sounds wrong-a-roomier.

>>49277460
"CR 20" and "Paladins" is not something that exists in 5e. Your DM probably goofed.

>>49277460
It sounds like your DM is running it wrong.

>>49277460
Does the DM play the enemies like they want to win? Do they use tactics and shit?
Read Tucker's Kobolds, if you haven't already

>>49277460
There's no such thing as a CR 20 encounter. Only monsters have individual CRs. The DM adds up the CR of the monsters and takes the average to get a moderate or challenging or deadly encounter based on the PCs levels and number of monsters.

I assume the DM was like "AHA! Ten 2nd level Paladins! That's CR 20!" with NPC statlines (14 in STR at most) and no full plate (ince that'd be 15000 gold), and was surprised the paladins can't hit shit and can't take hits.

>>49277460
>OP fighty type race with the most OP fighter archetype
>Dwarf, like those guys ever take HP damage /warrant being attacked by a monster for any reason
>Half demon bullshit abomination, an excuse to grab fire/cold resistance
>probably Optimized rogue
>OP class

Gee, I don't know why you're so powerful! Tell your GM to kill himself for allowing this.

>>49277460
A single CR 20 monster is effectively invincible to level 6 PCs, and will kill one of them per turn in combat. Your DM threw some low level badguys at you and did the math wrong. Do you remember what exactly the monsters were? You can build the encounter according to the DM's guide and see for yourself.

>>49280027
You're right about "CR 20 encounter" not being a thing, but 5e's encounters are based on XP budgets, not directly on CR.

Either way he probably fucked up and used 3.5e's encounter building or something.

>>49277460

1. Play another system where levelling doesn't give you exponential boosts.

2. Make encounters use tactics rather than just try to hit you for HP damage.

If they AMBUSHED you, then you should (IRL logic) be pretty fucked. Example ambush tactics include...

>Line up crossbow shots on everyone you can. One member makes a pre-approved bird call for the signal to all fire

>string a tripwire on the path to catch the pointman, then attack.

>skilled rogue sneaks up on the back party member and goes for a throat slash

> pitfall trap with septic spikes

>set a ring of fires around the party and light simultaneously. Go in with weapons if they survive.