6 or more PC's and Encounter Levels [Archive] - Wizards Community

6 or more PC's and Encounter Levels [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
agr8lemon
02-29-04, 08:27 PM Maybe I'm an idiot,

I have a party of 7 1st level PC's, I want to throw them up against a group of creatures so they get a little banged up. (A CR 1 group of monsters.)

Now I know for 4 1st level PCs I would put them up against 1 CR 1 monster or 2 1/2 CR monsters, but I have 7 PCs in my party. How do I figure a Encounter Level of 1?

The new 3.5 DMG says I'm supposed to take the average level and that's their EL rating. This does not make sense to me. So the average of 7 1st level PC's is 1 and the average of 4 1st level PCs is 1 so for both partys you're just supposed to use the same monsters to achive the same result?

If this rambling post makes sense to anyone, please help me out.

Yours truely-
1 Idiot :behold:
airhead
03-01-04, 09:05 AM Agrate,

See my sig for Arcady's xp/encounter calc. You are looking for your epl (effective party level) which is currently 1.8. CR 2 beasts my be a bit strong, but doubling CR 1 encounters wouldn't be out of the question or too much to do in a pinch for a premade adventure.

Remember, doubling the encounter adds 2 to the CR. (beyond CR 1)

1 CR 2 = CR 2
2 CR 2 = EL 4
4 CR 2 = EL 6

The forumula is logorithmic, but the calc can be downloaded and used at your leisure.
exploding_brain
03-01-04, 11:55 AM As a general rule, the best way to challenge big parties is with extra monsters, not tougher monsters. Combats will get complicated and long with 7 party members, so you may not want to introduce lots of monsters as well. A 4 kobold encounter (EL1) can be turned into a 7 kobold encounter (EL 1.75), but 3 kobolds and 1 lizardfolk (EL 1.75) may be a better idea. Be careful about sending them a Bugbear (CR2). They can defeat it, but there is an increased risk of character death.

Another example, 1 large monstrous centipede (CR1) should become 2 large monstrous centipedes (EL2), not a single huge monstrous centipede (CR 2).
Lord Crimson
03-01-04, 01:40 PM I would definitely agree there. More monsters are better than bigger monsters in a case like this. It also gives all your PCs a chance to "pair off" against their own opponents. The warrior-types in the party will probably clean up those being fought by the non-combat party members, but at least everyone gets a chance to land a few blows first.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
agr8lemon 02-29-04, 08:27 PM	Maybe I'm an idiot, I have a party of 7 1st level PC's, I want to throw them up against a group of creatures so they get a little banged up. (A CR 1 group of monsters.) Now I know for 4 1st level PCs I would put them up against 1 CR 1 monster or 2 1/2 CR monsters, but I have 7 PCs in my party. How do I figure a Encounter Level of 1? The new 3.5 DMG says I'm supposed to take the average level and that's their EL rating. This does not make sense to me. So the average of 7 1st level PC's is 1 and the average of 4 1st level PCs is 1 so for both partys you're just supposed to use the same monsters to achive the same result? If this rambling post makes sense to anyone, please help me out. Yours truely- 1 Idiot :behold:
airhead 03-01-04, 09:05 AM	Agrate, See my sig for Arcady's xp/encounter calc. You are looking for your epl (effective party level) which is currently 1.8. CR 2 beasts my be a bit strong, but doubling CR 1 encounters wouldn't be out of the question or too much to do in a pinch for a premade adventure. Remember, doubling the encounter adds 2 to the CR. (beyond CR 1) 1 CR 2 = CR 2 2 CR 2 = EL 4 4 CR 2 = EL 6 The forumula is logorithmic, but the calc can be downloaded and used at your leisure.
exploding_brain 03-01-04, 11:55 AM	As a general rule, the best way to challenge big parties is with extra monsters, not tougher monsters. Combats will get complicated and long with 7 party members, so you may not want to introduce lots of monsters as well. A 4 kobold encounter (EL1) can be turned into a 7 kobold encounter (EL 1.75), but 3 kobolds and 1 lizardfolk (EL 1.75) may be a better idea. Be careful about sending them a Bugbear (CR2). They can defeat it, but there is an increased risk of character death. Another example, 1 large monstrous centipede (CR1) should become 2 large monstrous centipedes (EL2), not a single huge monstrous centipede (CR 2).
Lord Crimson 03-01-04, 01:40 PM	I would definitely agree there. More monsters are better than bigger monsters in a case like this. It also gives all your PCs a chance to "pair off" against their own opponents. The warrior-types in the party will probably clean up those being fought by the non-combat party members, but at least everyone gets a chance to land a few blows first.