We've all (I would hope) by now have heard of resources such as Tucker's Kobolds, Angry GM and a menagerie of other resources on how to be better GM's. However reading about it and doing it can in fact be much more complicated. Of course, we understand that practice is the only true key to understanding how to be better. Whether its designing combat encounters, social encounters, puzzle encounters...any kind of encounter in fact, any kind of thing the players interact with could be considered an encounter.

I understand this question has been asked many times, but to be honest the question must be asked as many times as there are different Players and DM's because everyone is different. So my question to this wonderful, helpful and knowledgeable community is this: What does your basic encounter (social, puzzle, combat) look like versus your advanced encounter? If I were to ask you to use the same monsters, same environment and same tools for the same players, how would you make one simple and how would you make one complex? In the example of tucker's kobolds we see the minions using cover, making a tactical retreat and flanking. But what about other creatures?

What about Drow? Beholders? Remorhaz? Erinyes (Devil commanders)? Dao? Mind Flayers? Oni? Succubus/Incubus? Or any other creature. Sure intelligence plays a factor, Stirges would not have the same mental understanding of tactics as a Hobgoblin Commander, nor would (using the same example) a Stirge understand that the big guy in full plate armor is harder to hit (eh, it might after it fails the first attack) as a Chain Devil.

What are the differences between a simple encounter with any number of creatures and a complex one?

Now I understand this question is incredibly broad, but what I am hoping for is for you, the community to give me your best example. Maybe you enjoy running Hags, or Werewolves, or Drow. I would love for you to tell us (not just me) how you strategize the creatures you run.

My opinion: In all situations, a simple encounter is one where the creature/monster/enemy stands there and takes all the hits the players give them. The group surrounds the enemy creature and keeps rolling dice while the creature uses its one or two attacks to try and strike back. Is there a sense of victory, yes. But Only the creatures attack stat was used, no other strategy is actualized then hit and wait till your creature has 0 hit points.

However a complex encounter is varied, as varied as each monster. As varied as each collection of possible enemies one might have. A Band of Orcs would have a different strategy then 2 orcs of Grummsh, with 2 Orc Commanders and a manticore. They are (simply put) the same type of enemy, but they would certainly have a completely different strategy then a collection of Orcish warriors.

I look forward to hearing your idea of a complex vs a simple encounter, whatever your experience and preference.