The goal is to let the players win and feel cool

I wouldn't use "win" here because that's not always the case. I'd say'

"The goal is to acknowledge players decisions and show that their actions matter, regardless of the final result."

I prefer the BLeeM method: try to kill them and then be amazed at how they, like cockroaches, survive anyways

The number of online dms I hear complaining about flight speed races and flight spell boggles my mind. You just got licence to make 3d puzzles and encounters. And also show those players why spiders in magic the gathering had the ability to defend against flying creatures through out the 90s