Challenge Rating [Archive] - Wizards Community

Challenge Rating [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
dawnbringer
11-19-07, 01:24 PM Hey.

Ok, I know normal challenge rating for 1 monster is equal to 4 party members of the equivalent level.

But what if you had, say, 7 party members, all the same level? What would their challenge rating be, how would you work it out?

I'm also assuming that several different monsters put together would be worked out the same way. For example, a CR 3, CR 4, and a CR 5 monster would equate to what total CR? Same question applies to three CR 4 monsters.
StevenO
11-19-07, 02:27 PM For seven players I'd assume the party should be able to handle ELs at party level +2 as the "normal" state. Depending on the party's makeup it could only be +1 of normal. Basically, with seven players you'll want encounters to be against the same CRs as a four member party but double the number of creatures; more creatures means more thing for the larger party to do. Upping the CR of individual creatures is generally NOT recommended as encounters become too swingy; either the party's superior numbers allow it to prevail easily or the higher CR creature wipes out the party.

For the second part you are looking for an ENCOUNTER LEVEL (EL) not CR. CR is for individual creatures and is used to determine an EL for a party to face. For the listed examples I'd assign both three member groups EL 7; CR 3 + CR 4 = CR 5ish, CR 5 x2 = CR 7, CR 4 x2 = CR 6, CR 4 + CR 6 = CR 7.
Seeker95
11-19-07, 02:28 PM Challenge rating is an individual characteristic. Encounter level is the relative challenge of an individual or group in a single encounter, derived from the challenge rating of each individual in the encounter.

Beyond that, you will probably have to consult the tables in the DMG, as these are not OGL elements.
dawnbringer
11-19-07, 02:35 PM Thanks, that really helps.
Heros_Backpack
11-19-07, 02:52 PM You might also find the Encounter Calculator (http://www.penpaperpixel.org/tools/d20encountercalculator.htm) useful.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
dawnbringer 11-19-07, 01:24 PM	Hey. Ok, I know normal challenge rating for 1 monster is equal to 4 party members of the equivalent level. But what if you had, say, 7 party members, all the same level? What would their challenge rating be, how would you work it out? I'm also assuming that several different monsters put together would be worked out the same way. For example, a CR 3, CR 4, and a CR 5 monster would equate to what total CR? Same question applies to three CR 4 monsters.
StevenO 11-19-07, 02:27 PM	For seven players I'd assume the party should be able to handle ELs at party level +2 as the "normal" state. Depending on the party's makeup it could only be +1 of normal. Basically, with seven players you'll want encounters to be against the same CRs as a four member party but double the number of creatures; more creatures means more thing for the larger party to do. Upping the CR of individual creatures is generally NOT recommended as encounters become too swingy; either the party's superior numbers allow it to prevail easily or the higher CR creature wipes out the party. For the second part you are looking for an ENCOUNTER LEVEL (EL) not CR. CR is for individual creatures and is used to determine an EL for a party to face. For the listed examples I'd assign both three member groups EL 7; CR 3 + CR 4 = CR 5ish, CR 5 x2 = CR 7, CR 4 x2 = CR 6, CR 4 + CR 6 = CR 7.
Seeker95 11-19-07, 02:28 PM	Challenge rating is an individual characteristic. Encounter level is the relative challenge of an individual or group in a single encounter, derived from the challenge rating of each individual in the encounter. Beyond that, you will probably have to consult the tables in the DMG, as these are not OGL elements.
dawnbringer 11-19-07, 02:35 PM	Thanks, that really helps.
Heros_Backpack 11-19-07, 02:52 PM	You might also find the Encounter Calculator (http://www.penpaperpixel.org/tools/d20encountercalculator.htm) useful.