easy monter cr calculation [Archive] - Wizards Community

easy monter cr calculation [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
concerro
02-21-06, 12:53 PM If someone is creating a new monster is there a simple list that can be used to determine its cr rating? I have seen online creator that tell you the cr after you create the monster but when I test them by using a monster from the monster manuals they are not consistent. Some are off by more than 3 cr's
cwslyclgh
02-21-06, 01:06 PM no, there is no easy way to determine a monsters CR... calculating a CR is as much an art as it is a science.

when i create monsters I use the following formula to get a base Guesstimation, which I then try to refine through play testing combats with the monster...

Hit Points/4.5 plus 1-2 per special attack and special quality that effects combat (also includes such things as very high AC, attacks that do massive damage etc) to get a subtotal... divide the subtotal by 3 to get the base CR.

note that this method tends to give wildy inaccurate results if the creature has a huge number of HP but very few special abilities, or very few HP with boatloads of special abilities. But for most creatures I find that the result is generaly with in 1-2 CR of the final creature after playtesting (and I would say that for most creatures it is right on about 40% of the time).
Evil_Bishi03
02-22-06, 12:54 AM They way I interperated the text from the DMG and MM is that since the 'average party' is a balanced one of four players, and a CR equal to the party's level expands approximately 1/4 of the party's resources (in hp, spells used, magic items expanded, party members deceased) then create a standard group of one rogue, one fighter, one cleric and one sorcerer and keep adjusting their level until a run-in with one of the newly created monsters uses up about 1/4 of the party's resources. Or just guess when you get frustrated because of the obscene amount of time and energy the process is taking.
Obsidianjaerc
02-22-06, 04:01 AM I agree with cwslyclgh, estimation is your best friend. Once you've come to something that seems reasonible I usually run a few test-combats with the creature against a four parties, if I have time/care. First I pit it against the iconic party of a elven wizard, a dwarven fighter, a human cleric and a halfing rouge. Then I pit it agaisnt a melee heavy party, a caster heavy party, and a ranged heavy party. By the time I'm done I have a fair idea what it can do agains't almost anything and whether it womped or died easily to things its CR.
Then estimate and adjuste accordingly from you data.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
concerro 02-21-06, 12:53 PM	If someone is creating a new monster is there a simple list that can be used to determine its cr rating? I have seen online creator that tell you the cr after you create the monster but when I test them by using a monster from the monster manuals they are not consistent. Some are off by more than 3 cr's
cwslyclgh 02-21-06, 01:06 PM	no, there is no easy way to determine a monsters CR... calculating a CR is as much an art as it is a science. when i create monsters I use the following formula to get a base Guesstimation, which I then try to refine through play testing combats with the monster... Hit Points/4.5 plus 1-2 per special attack and special quality that effects combat (also includes such things as very high AC, attacks that do massive damage etc) to get a subtotal... divide the subtotal by 3 to get the base CR. note that this method tends to give wildy inaccurate results if the creature has a huge number of HP but very few special abilities, or very few HP with boatloads of special abilities. But for most creatures I find that the result is generaly with in 1-2 CR of the final creature after playtesting (and I would say that for most creatures it is right on about 40% of the time).
Evil_Bishi03 02-22-06, 12:54 AM	They way I interperated the text from the DMG and MM is that since the 'average party' is a balanced one of four players, and a CR equal to the party's level expands approximately 1/4 of the party's resources (in hp, spells used, magic items expanded, party members deceased) then create a standard group of one rogue, one fighter, one cleric and one sorcerer and keep adjusting their level until a run-in with one of the newly created monsters uses up about 1/4 of the party's resources. Or just guess when you get frustrated because of the obscene amount of time and energy the process is taking.
Obsidianjaerc 02-22-06, 04:01 AM	I agree with cwslyclgh, estimation is your best friend. Once you've come to something that seems reasonible I usually run a few test-combats with the creature against a four parties, if I have time/care. First I pit it against the iconic party of a elven wizard, a dwarven fighter, a human cleric and a halfing rouge. Then I pit it agaisnt a melee heavy party, a caster heavy party, and a ranged heavy party. By the time I'm done I have a fair idea what it can do agains't almost anything and whether it womped or died easily to things its CR. Then estimate and adjuste accordingly from you data.