Something to grab new players, and reel them into the hobby.  "Man, that was fun!!!" kind of stuff.

That is totally on the players.
Without knowing what they like in general, there is no way to pick a specific encounter.
However, something that makes their character shine is usually a good start.

Quote from: Razor 007;1146756Something to grab new players, and reel them into the hobby.  "Man, that was fun!!!" kind of stuff.

Too many monsters are just bags of hit points.  It's important to have a variety of encounters generally, but for new players specifically, best if you can get the heart pumping and generate some real fear - that will make the accomplishment of defeating the enemy even better.  Toward that end, having lots of tactics they can try is good.  Making them FEEL that they're in danger without automatically overwhelming them is good.

Toward that end, you might consider something like giant ants.  Rather than making them the size of horses, make them Tiny (like cats, not like actual ants).  You want to really emphasize the descriptive elements and have them attack as a horde.  Keep the damage to 1 hp - the players will be able to take quite a few hits.  If an ant bites them, it locks on (making it very easy to hit, but it can keep dealing automatic damage).  If the ants have only a single hit point, the players can deal with a swarm.  With things like AoO the players can handle quite a few, but they have to make sure they don't get swarmed.  Include terrain that lets them think tactically.  If the ants are coming from a single point of entry, maybe the players can block it.  

For new players, you really want to be describe every action - especially theirs.  If they say 'I attack it with my axe' you say 'your axe cleaves through the creatures thorax, slicing it cleanly in two.  It's legs continue twitching uselessly as green ichor stains the floor'.  When an ant bites them say 'the ant latches on to your shield arm, it's mandibles tearing through your leather armor and it begins ratcheting tighter like a vise'.  

Any encounter can be made memorable with descriptive flavor.

When I was introducing my nephews to D&D, one of the most memorable encounters to them was with a pair of dopplegangers. One of the PCs got separated, and then I had him rejoin the rest of the group. They knew that there was a doppelganger, and then suddenly they questioned whether the PC who returned was really what they thought. It really highlighted the role-playing nature of the game, and made them question their assumptions.

Something fun and silly I used in an ongoing campaign.

An ogre has been driven out of his cave by a tough orc with a bunch of warg pets. The Ogre wants his cave back, but needs help. He decides on a cunning plan to get some helpful adventureres to assist him. He ties bark to his chest and grabs a couple of tree branches, and pretends (badly) to be a Treant quest-giver type. If the party accepts, the ogre fights on their side in good faith.

Season details to fit your campaign.

Quote from: deadDMwalking;1146777you might consider something like giant ants. .

Cool idea. It reminds me that new players at my table always seem to really enjoy stirges. The whole "latching on" thing really raises the hackles.

Quote from: deadDMwalking;1146777For new players, you really want to be describe every action - especially theirs.  If they say 'I attack it with my axe' you say 'your axe cleaves through the creatures thorax, slicing it cleanly in two.  It's legs continue twitching uselessly as green ichor stains the floor'.  When an ant bites them say 'the ant latches on to your shield arm, it's mandibles tearing through your leather armor and it begins ratcheting tighter like a vise'.  

Any encounter can be made memorable with descriptive flavor.

This sounds like excellent advice for any level of players!

Make more than you think you will need and have several that you can pretend they never existed if you are running short on time.








Tutuapp 9apps Showbox

Thanks to those who have contributed to this thread.  Just trying to mine for good ideas.

Morlocks. Smart enough to converse with, but they still eat people.