Here’s another tip that might help in GMing RQ games. Remember that RQ combat, unlike D&D or most computer games, is not attritional. Once a combatant strikes a good blow that gets through their adversary’s defences, they are likely going down (unless they have a magical trick available).
In short RQ combat is deadly. There is a not insignificant chance that this combat could be your last. So don’t use combat to give players something to do (while attriting their resources) – use it as a dangerous, unpredictable – and very exciting – event. Not only that, but usually players throw a lot of Rune magic into their fights, which means they have lost their edge in subsequent combats – and a mere Long Rest at their campsite is not going to fix that problem!
So spread out the fights. Impress upon them early how dangerous combat is and then let the players find ways to avoid future combat – maybe they threaten, maybe they negotiate or even bribe potential foes.
