Challenge Rating on Commoners [Archive] - Wizards Community

Challenge Rating on Commoners [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Mindolin
04-01-08, 12:16 PM Okay, I'm fixing to run a campaign that has the PCs facing off with a number of dominated commoners, when I thought that I might check with the people on this board. Is a human commoner really CR 1/2? That's the same as a warrior, and a warrior can easily kill a commoner in a one on one fight. WOuld it be fair to lower the commoner to CR 1/4 or so? Any advice would be appreciated.
Josheva
04-01-08, 12:42 PM All things considered, a common housecat has a 50% chance of killing a commoner. You would not be stretching it to reduce their CR to 0 :P.
Mindolin
04-01-08, 12:56 PM You know, you have got a point there. I'll just put them at the same CR as a housecat. Sure, they aren't a tough fight for seasoned adventurers, but my group is starting level 1, and I wanted to have them fight a small village.
CrimsonDeath
04-01-08, 02:54 PM You might consider increasing the CR if their objective is to subdue the Commoners alive rather than kill them.
Josheva
04-01-08, 04:30 PM Also, have you considered the mob template from the DMG II? It has specific stats for a mob of humans that has a CR of 8: a little too high for your group, but it could be used if you need to make your PCs run away.
Mindolin
04-01-08, 04:57 PM Thanks, I might use the mob template at later dates. Considering that my group generally doesn't mind collateral damage, I might give bonus exp if they even TRY to save some of the people. The adventure is inspired in part by the old Animorphs series, with the commoners being controlled by puppeteers, who have used most of their Charm spell like abilities to acquire the hosts, the puppeteers will be a recurring villain, same with a group of formian taskmasters.
Nephlite
04-01-08, 05:11 PM Okay, I'm fixing to run a campaign that has the PCs facing off with a number of dominated commoners, when I thought that I might check with the people on this board. Is a human commoner really CR 1/2? That's the same as a warrior, and a warrior can easily kill a commoner in a one on one fight. WOuld it be fair to lower the commoner to CR 1/4 or so? Any advice would be appreciated.

But Commoners win more surprise rounds than Warriors: Commoners have spot/listen, warriors don't.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Mindolin 04-01-08, 12:16 PM	Okay, I'm fixing to run a campaign that has the PCs facing off with a number of dominated commoners, when I thought that I might check with the people on this board. Is a human commoner really CR 1/2? That's the same as a warrior, and a warrior can easily kill a commoner in a one on one fight. WOuld it be fair to lower the commoner to CR 1/4 or so? Any advice would be appreciated.
Josheva 04-01-08, 12:42 PM	All things considered, a common housecat has a 50% chance of killing a commoner. You would not be stretching it to reduce their CR to 0 :P.
Mindolin 04-01-08, 12:56 PM	You know, you have got a point there. I'll just put them at the same CR as a housecat. Sure, they aren't a tough fight for seasoned adventurers, but my group is starting level 1, and I wanted to have them fight a small village.
CrimsonDeath 04-01-08, 02:54 PM	You might consider increasing the CR if their objective is to subdue the Commoners alive rather than kill them.
Josheva 04-01-08, 04:30 PM	Also, have you considered the mob template from the DMG II? It has specific stats for a mob of humans that has a CR of 8: a little too high for your group, but it could be used if you need to make your PCs run away.
Mindolin 04-01-08, 04:57 PM	Thanks, I might use the mob template at later dates. Considering that my group generally doesn't mind collateral damage, I might give bonus exp if they even TRY to save some of the people. The adventure is inspired in part by the old Animorphs series, with the commoners being controlled by puppeteers, who have used most of their Charm spell like abilities to acquire the hosts, the puppeteers will be a recurring villain, same with a group of formian taskmasters.
Nephlite 04-01-08, 05:11 PM	Okay, I'm fixing to run a campaign that has the PCs facing off with a number of dominated commoners, when I thought that I might check with the people on this board. Is a human commoner really CR 1/2? That's the same as a warrior, and a warrior can easily kill a commoner in a one on one fight. WOuld it be fair to lower the commoner to CR 1/4 or so? Any advice would be appreciated. But Commoners win more surprise rounds than Warriors: Commoners have spot/listen, warriors don't.