I want to encourage people to be creative in their combat posts. Feel free to narrate different scenes with the NPCs you're fighting to help flex those creative muscles.
One thing to consider is that an attack roll does not always mean you took a swing and a miss doesn't always mean you didn't hit.
For example any of the following could represent a "failed attack"
quote:
Gnomey the example gnome gripped his dagger, waiting for the right time to attack but his opponent's defense was flawless. Every time Gnomey shifted his stance the bandit brought his sword to defend or angled himself denying gnomey a strike. He cursed and continued the dance, hoping to find a gap in the bandit's posture.
quote:
Gnomey lunged with an attack but the bandit brought his sword up and deflected it. Gnomey pressed inward, trying to twist the blade around and stab the bandit in the chest but the bandit's boot kicked out hitting Gnomey square in the chest and driving him back.
Huge epic combat posts aren't a requirement. I understand that between referencing character sheets and maps and rolling dice it can really suck your time away but if you find yourself feeling like combat is dragging on or you're tired of writing "I swing and I miss" over and over again consider the above as a way to help make combat a bit spicier not just for you but for your fellow players as well.