I just wanna make sure I'm understanding how encounter building works in 5e. I'm using the encoutner building stuff on page 82 of the DMG. I think I understand it but I'm just wanting to make sure. I'll give two example encounters. Assume that the party is four 1st level characters.
The XP threshold for the characters are"
Easy-100xp
Medium-200xp
Hard- 300xp
Deadly-400xp
So, If I'm doing this right I got the following.
Giant Rats ("Dire Rats") x3
CR 1/8 (25xp) for a total of 75 xp I then use the Enounter Multiplier Table. Because there are 3 monsters I multiply the xp by 2. This gives me an adjusted XP of 150, makeing this an easy verging on medium encounter. Is this right. Seems to me that if the CR of the Giant Rat is 1/8 then I'd need 8 to take on a group of 1st level adventurers. I could very well be wrong.
Skeletons x3
CR 1/4 (50XP) for a total of 150xp. Using the same multiplier table, with 3 monsters I multiply the xp by 2 again, for a total of 300xp. Making this hard encounter. Once again This seems wrong as the CR is 1/4 so I would think I need 4 skeletons to be even remotely threatening.
So, am I understangin the DMG here or am I way off. If I'm right I dont really see a use for the CR as it doesn't seem to do what you would think it does. Unless I'm just not understanging how CR works in 5e. Now I'm rambeling though. Thanks for all your assistance.
Yes, you are following all of the guidelines correctly.
You are, however, getting hung up on the fact that CR is represented by fractions such as 1/8 and 1/4, and as a result are not only causing yourself to doubt that you are following the guidelines correctly but to miss what CR is used to represent in 5th edition.
CR is just a benchmark for what level at which a party of 4 well rested and well equipped characters facing the creature in question goes from "will likely win but may suffer casualties in the process" to "will likely win without suffering casualties" - the purpose for CR ratings below 1 is thus not to represent a portion of a full CR point, but to show that some creatures are less powerful to a degree that they are not a significant danger to a party of 4 on their own.
I miss me some Minions.
Also, keep in mind that the CR is the challenge that a single instance of that creature would be against 4 adventurers. Once you start adding more monsters, the adventurers will be taking more hits and spreading out their attacks/damage, which increases the difficulty past just the basic CR rating for a single creature of the CR level.
In addition, encounter building is more art than science. The general guidelines are for several fights a day (4-6 IIRC) with a couple of short rests.
Different parties are going to blow through some "hard" encounters while others may struggle with "easy" so learn to adjust your threat level accordingly.
The guidelines are ok guidelines. For most groups, the guidelines produce easier encounters than intended (of course this is situational too).
But, DM has to account for many factors. Is it the 1st or 4th encounter of the day? Does the party have area of effect damage or control capability? Is there surprise in either side (this is huge)? Will the pcs be able to find and engage the foes (full cover, hiding, etc)?
The CR and xp of some monsters may also be underrated with ones that are immune or resistant to normal weapons, and for ones with spellcasting ability and/or area of effect attacks.
ivstin wrote: