Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Mera'din 05-11-04, 04:41 PM	I have been following a few posts and realized that i may be doing a few things wrong. In a different post I mentioned that my players seemed to walk over my encounters. This may be due to the fact that I an calculating the EL Wrong. Can any tell mee what EL, CR and PL are in laymens terms and how you calculate them? What are they used for?
PenderGrass 05-11-04, 04:47 PM	There way too many posts with this info listed to do it again. Try the DM FAQs and the Search Options. Or read the DMG, it lists them all in simple terms there. BUT - I am sure someone will write them all out again for you soon - just be patient.
airhead 05-11-04, 05:09 PM	Pender, go oil your AK-47's. CR = challenge rating. for a given creature/skill/trap/etc. usually used for A monster. EL = enounter level. for a given encounter of creatures. Double the number of creatures, add 2 to the CR. 1 ogre = CR 3 2 CR 3 ogres = EL 5 4 CR 3 ogres = EL 7 8 CR 3 ogres = EL 9 EL is based on an average (effective) party level of 4 characters of each of the core classes. In the example above, party of 4 at 5th level meets 2 ogres is a "balanced" encounter. This should not be a threat to the party, but some of the party resources should be used: spells, healing potions, charges, Hit Points, etc. One of these encounters in a day is not a problem, it is when you get several in a day and don't get to recharge your spellcasters that it starts becoming tougher. Now, if 4 ogres show up, the challenge is EPL 5 vs. EL 7. The party should still win, but there is a posability of a player death barring decent tactics. A few of these in a day and the party will need to rest as they have used up a lot of spells & hit points. OK, 8 ogres show up. This is truely an even up fight. EPL 5 vs. EL 9. 50/50 odds here on anyone making it out alive. Luck & tactics will tell in this battle. OK? Now your party is 2@3rd, 3@5th and 2@7th. vs. 2 of those ogres & one troll (CR 5) (EPL 7 vs. EL 7) 3rds get 514 xps 5ths get 429 xp 7ths get 300 xp One of the best tools out there is the xp calculator (see my sig).
Mera'din 05-12-04, 01:35 PM	I know you calculate party level by finding the average number of character levels in your group. At least that is what it says in the DMG, but using your numbers (2@3rd, 3@5th and 2@7th) I get a party level of 5. Is there something you do for a group larger than 4?
airhead 05-12-04, 01:40 PM	Use the calculator. Look at "Effective Party Level (EPL)" as opposed to "average party level". The epl is a much better tool when you are trying to see if an encounter will work. My group is almost always spread out like that due to missed nights, level drains, resurrections, etc. The good thing is that the lower level get more xp and need less to level - theoretically catching them up. It does get them within a couple of levels fairly quickly.
PenderGrass 05-12-04, 05:04 PM	SEE? :D I told you SOMEONE would post it for you!
PenderGrass 05-12-04, 05:05 PM	*ponders making many NEW ACCOUNTS and seeing how many times I can get people to answer the CR, EL, and PL questions* :confused: :smirk: :behold: ;) :D
Autosponge 05-12-04, 09:10 PM	Go to this site and get this file and many of your questions will be answered: http://www.andargor.com/files/EL-XP-Calculator-35-v1.3.zip
airhead 05-13-04, 08:13 AM	Originally posted by PenderGrass *ponders making many NEW ACCOUNTS and seeing how many times I can get people to answer the CR, EL, and PL questions* :confused: :smirk: :behold: ;) :D Pender, I have 2 explanations copied to a txt file. Cut & paste, no problem for all of your new selves. ;) :heehee You keep working on the 9mms and I'll stay with my Barrets 50 cal. :)
PenderGrass 05-13-04, 10:41 AM	Pender, I have 2 explanations copied to a txt file. Cut & paste, no problem for all of your new selves. Foiled Again! I would have got the gold from under the abandoned circus if it wasn't for you meddling kids (and dog!)!!! Dang computer nerds - what the heck is cut & paste anyways? :rofl: You keep working on the 9mms and I'll stay with my Barrets 50 cal. When my hoardes of 9-mil wielding clones comes cresting over the hill, I am certain many of them will get close enough to do the job - see Chinese Swarm Tactics for more references - since a 50-cal has a notoriously slow rate of fire. Especially since they will be coming by land, sea & air (we were trained by Marines and Rangers!) Clones rule.
Mera'din 05-13-04, 01:48 PM	Thanks for your help. To Autosponge and Airhead, the EX calculators that you linked to are very useful. The only problem is where we play we do not have access to a computer. How does the program calcualte the effective party level?
airhead 05-13-04, 01:57 PM	Originally posted by Mera'din ... How does the program calcualte the effective party level? You might scroll down and look at the formulas (I know it involves logarithems). Just plug in your party at the start, good for building encounters from before-hand. "How many displacer cats can I throw at those guys anyway?" kinda thing.