A couple of questions

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

Jenks

Apr 21, 2015 13:24:43

Had a couple of questions for you guys.

 

  1. When calculating the adjusted XP value of a combat you are supposed to add a multiplier when you start bringing in larger numbers of enemies. This seems to work fine, but I'm not sure if it works as intended when you add larger amounts of CR 0 creatures (most that deal 1 damage) as I think it overinflates the expected challenge of the encounter. Do you think the multiplier is working as intended for CR 0 enemies?
  2. Do traps grant XP in 5e? I didn't see any challenge or XP value attributed to them.

Thanks all.

#2

iserith

Apr 21, 2015 13:36:12

1. Probably not. I don't put much stock in CR and whatnot. What are you creating with large numbers of CR 0 enemies out of curiosity? Might a "swarm" type creature with that monster as a base be a little easier to make fit in the CR system?

 

2. Yes. In the DMG, page 261, are some guidelines for awarding XP for non-combat challenges. Call a setback "Medium," dangerous "Hard," and deadly "Deadly." Level is right around PC level or whatever level the damage severity is.

#3

Cooperjera

Apr 22, 2015 11:16:22

I use the same method Iserith detailed for traps.

 

For a mix of low CR and high CR creatures seperate and group like CR values together.  I believe a +/-1 CR from a median value would be a good grouping.  Then use the multplier for the lower CR values.  Sum the total XP for that encounter.  I don't have the DMG with me but the follow is a rough example.

 

15 CR 0 creatures plus 3 CR 1 plus 2 CR 5.  Group the CR 0 and CR 1 together for 18 creatures.  I believe the multiplier is a 3 at that qantity.  Multiply the sum of the XP values for the 0's and 1' by the correct multiplier.  Add the XP value for the two CR 5 creatures to your previous total.  Multiply that value if needed.

 

Please ensure you account for the number of players you have by decreasing the multiplier by 1 level for a PC count of 6 or more.  In the early levels, 1 - 5, my PCs were performing at one level higher than given on the chart in the DMG.  So if you may have to adjust the multiplier or CR value of the creatures in the encounter to get the correct feel of the encounter you're looking for.

 

Enjoy!

#4

EmpactWB

Apr 22, 2015 15:12:06

I'm away from my DMG right now, but I'm pretty sure there's a line about not counting the XP of creatures you think won't add much to the difficulty when figuring out which multiplier to use.

#5

Illithidbix

Apr 22, 2015 16:30:33

EmpactWB wrote: