I’m a big fan of D&D 5e, but I’m puzzled by its assumption of 6-8 encounters in a single day. I often find myself having only 1-4 encounters, which puts Short Rest players at a disadvantage compared to those who can take Long Rests. I’m looking for a game that balances encounters throughout the day better. By ‘balanced by encounters per in-game day,’ I mean I want combat that feels narratively significant rather than just depleting resources for a tough final battle. I’d prefer settings where fights are compelling and flow into critical showdowns, rather than stopping for minor skirmishes that aren’t particularly exciting. Any recommendations?
5 Answers
If you’d like something a bit like Lancer but in a fantasy setting, Beacon could fit the bill! It’s designed with a similar combat flow, but set in a more magical realm. It focuses on critical moments instead of grinding through encounters.
GURPS is often the go-to answer for general RPG questions. It allows characters to recover at their own pace without the typical resting mechanics, so you could really tailor the combat encounters to be meaningful without worrying about strict resource depletion. Just be clear about whether you mean game time or play session when you say ‘day.’
You could also explore some non-D&D systems that don’t focus on managing encounters by day. Lots of indie games have a different approach to combat that might align with what you’re seeking.
You might be hard-pressed to find many systems that balance around a specific number of encounters per day like D&D does. Pathfinder 3.X was meant for 3-4 encounters a day, but calling its balance perfect is a stretch, even for fans. Pathfinder 2E doesn’t really have the adventuring day concept anymore—spells and abilities recharge differently, which might be closer to what you’re after. Also, for a mix of traditional and streamlined rules, Savage Worlds could be a solid choice!
Exactly! Later editions were moving more towards shorter cooldowns and encounter powers.
I agree! The set number of encounters seems so tied to D&D mechanics.
Pathfinder 2E is definitely worth your time. They’ve moved away from the “adventuring day” idea; characters can recover quickly during short rests, so you’re usually at full strength before a fight. It keeps the action intense without feeling like you’re just draining resources throughout the day.
Exactly! The combat feels balanced because you’re always ready to go!
And while some elements of resource management remain, you won’t feel as restricted as in other systems.
Definitely game time! I mean games where combat is tied to story, not just to wear players down.