CRs for levelled monsters? [Archive] - Wizards Community

CRs for levelled monsters? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Skye Silverleaf
03-16-04, 10:34 AM Hi:

How do you handle CR's for levelled monsters? So far, I have been using the class level (i.e. 2nd level hobgoblin fighter is CR2), but I'm not sure if this is correct. For example, would a 5th level goblin adept be the same CR (5 in this case) as a 5th level goblin ranger? Do spellcasting abilites raise the creature's CR?

A little clarity would be a great help.

-Skye
Juca
03-16-04, 11:35 AM 3.5? Well, if the creature have CR 1 or less the its CR is equal to its class levels (or 3/4 class levels for the mundane classes like warrior and adept). For creatures with CR 2+, you can just add its inate CR with the CR provided by it class. Theres a rule about non prefered classes and the such (for an example, an ogre have all spellcasters class as non-prefered classes so it levels on this classes counts as only half this real level for CR purposes).
Hope I have helped.
Sobriquet
03-16-04, 08:09 PM Straight outta the SRD.... hope that helps.

ADDING CLASS LEVELS
If you are advancing a monster by adding player character class levels, decide if the class levels directly improve the monster’s existing capabilities.
When adding class levels to a creature, you should give it typical ability scores appropriate for that class. Most creatures are built using the standard array of ability scores: 11, 11, 11, 10, 10, 10, adjusted by racial modifiers. If you give a creature a PC class use the elite array of ability scores before racial adjustments: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8. Creatures with NPC classes use the nonelite array of 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8.

Associated Class Levels
Class levels that increase a monster’s existing strengths are known as associated class levels. Each associated class level a monster has increases its CR by 1.
Barbarian, fighter, paladin, and ranger are associated classes for a creature that relies on its fighting ability.
Rogue and ranger are associated classes for a creature that relies on stealth to surprise its foes, or on skill use to give itself an advantage.
A spellcasting class is an associated class for a creature that already has the ability to cast spells as a character of the class in question, since the monster’s levels in the spellcasting class stack with its innate spellcasting ability.

Nonassociated Class Levels
If you add a class level that doesn’t directly play to a creature’s strength the class level is considered nonassociated, and things get a little more complicated. Adding a nonassociated class level to a monster increases its CR by 1/2 per level until one of its nonassociated class levels equals its original Hit Dice. At that point, each additional level of the same class or a similar one is considered associated and increases the monster’s CR by 1.
Levels in NPC classes are always treated as nonassociated.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Skye Silverleaf 03-16-04, 10:34 AM	Hi: How do you handle CR's for levelled monsters? So far, I have been using the class level (i.e. 2nd level hobgoblin fighter is CR2), but I'm not sure if this is correct. For example, would a 5th level goblin adept be the same CR (5 in this case) as a 5th level goblin ranger? Do spellcasting abilites raise the creature's CR? A little clarity would be a great help. -Skye
Juca 03-16-04, 11:35 AM	3.5? Well, if the creature have CR 1 or less the its CR is equal to its class levels (or 3/4 class levels for the mundane classes like warrior and adept). For creatures with CR 2+, you can just add its inate CR with the CR provided by it class. Theres a rule about non prefered classes and the such (for an example, an ogre have all spellcasters class as non-prefered classes so it levels on this classes counts as only half this real level for CR purposes). Hope I have helped.
Sobriquet 03-16-04, 08:09 PM	Straight outta the SRD.... hope that helps. ADDING CLASS LEVELS If you are advancing a monster by adding player character class levels, decide if the class levels directly improve the monster’s existing capabilities. When adding class levels to a creature, you should give it typical ability scores appropriate for that class. Most creatures are built using the standard array of ability scores: 11, 11, 11, 10, 10, 10, adjusted by racial modifiers. If you give a creature a PC class use the elite array of ability scores before racial adjustments: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8. Creatures with NPC classes use the nonelite array of 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8. Associated Class Levels Class levels that increase a monster’s existing strengths are known as associated class levels. Each associated class level a monster has increases its CR by 1. Barbarian, fighter, paladin, and ranger are associated classes for a creature that relies on its fighting ability. Rogue and ranger are associated classes for a creature that relies on stealth to surprise its foes, or on skill use to give itself an advantage. A spellcasting class is an associated class for a creature that already has the ability to cast spells as a character of the class in question, since the monster’s levels in the spellcasting class stack with its innate spellcasting ability. Nonassociated Class Levels If you add a class level that doesn’t directly play to a creature’s strength the class level is considered nonassociated, and things get a little more complicated. Adding a nonassociated class level to a monster increases its CR by 1/2 per level until one of its nonassociated class levels equals its original Hit Dice. At that point, each additional level of the same class or a similar one is considered associated and increases the monster’s CR by 1. Levels in NPC classes are always treated as nonassociated.