Capture mission - What CR? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Capture mission - What CR? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Neurodancer
09-22-04, 10:38 PM Let me start with the background:

I'm planning a long term campaign that involves the PCs being a Go-to squad for a very wealthy patron (who later has a suprise, but that's neither here nor there)...

Around party level 10, I intend to have them sent out to capture (not kill) a shadowdancing wererat. They will do this using subdual damage, and specially created Silver Balls (inspired by) Billaro (sp.). So I've been watching too much pokemon. :P Anyway. They are not permitted to kill them, under penalty by the patron that the resurrection costs will come out of their commissions, and rezzes are very expensive. (Especially when trying to find someone to resurrect a wererat.) So the wererat will have approximately this build:

1 or 3 thief levels (for sneak attack and perhaps uncanny dodge)
6 monk levels (Bonus feats and sneaky combat goodness)
perhaps 1 cleric level (of Mask, FR-based campaign).
And as many shadowdancer levels as can fill it out.

Now my question is...how pumped can I make this wererat without overpowering the party? This will count as a major encounter. Counting in the CR adjustment of the wererat (Hybrid Form), how many levels can I give my spawn?
WWAD
09-22-04, 11:49 PM During the adventure, figure out the highest DC check that needs success for the party to be successful in the mission. Subtract 15 from that number and that's your CR. If the highest DC check is dependant upon another check that's within 2 DC, you may want to raise the CR by 1 for each check needed in combination.

For instance, if you need a DC25 stealth to get into the guard barracks then a DC23 to hide to slip past the guards, the CR is 11 (25-15=10+1=11).
Vintar
09-22-04, 11:56 PM In part depends on the group. If there is a monk he can do subdual damage to full effect. As long as the wererat isn't relatively low on HP - they can all just hit for leathal damage except for the monk. As well - if the monk is a good grappler he can just grapple the rat and let everyone else poke at it while they grapple.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Neurodancer 09-22-04, 10:38 PM	Let me start with the background: I'm planning a long term campaign that involves the PCs being a Go-to squad for a very wealthy patron (who later has a suprise, but that's neither here nor there)... Around party level 10, I intend to have them sent out to capture (not kill) a shadowdancing wererat. They will do this using subdual damage, and specially created Silver Balls (inspired by) Billaro (sp.). So I've been watching too much pokemon. :P Anyway. They are not permitted to kill them, under penalty by the patron that the resurrection costs will come out of their commissions, and rezzes are very expensive. (Especially when trying to find someone to resurrect a wererat.) So the wererat will have approximately this build: 1 or 3 thief levels (for sneak attack and perhaps uncanny dodge) 6 monk levels (Bonus feats and sneaky combat goodness) perhaps 1 cleric level (of Mask, FR-based campaign). And as many shadowdancer levels as can fill it out. Now my question is...how pumped can I make this wererat without overpowering the party? This will count as a major encounter. Counting in the CR adjustment of the wererat (Hybrid Form), how many levels can I give my spawn?
WWAD 09-22-04, 11:49 PM	During the adventure, figure out the highest DC check that needs success for the party to be successful in the mission. Subtract 15 from that number and that's your CR. If the highest DC check is dependant upon another check that's within 2 DC, you may want to raise the CR by 1 for each check needed in combination. For instance, if you need a DC25 stealth to get into the guard barracks then a DC23 to hide to slip past the guards, the CR is 11 (25-15=10+1=11).
Vintar 09-22-04, 11:56 PM	In part depends on the group. If there is a monk he can do subdual damage to full effect. As long as the wererat isn't relatively low on HP - they can all just hit for leathal damage except for the monk. As well - if the monk is a good grappler he can just grapple the rat and let everyone else poke at it while they grapple.