Hi all, looking for some help. I've been DMing a homebrew campaign for a couple of years now and starting to have issues creating combat encounters that challenge my players. I've been re reading the DM's guide on how to create encounters using XP thresholds based on level etc but it all comes out a bit too easy. My players are all level 7 which gives me a total XP Threshold of 5100 XP for an encounter with a single monster. Looking through the monster manual at monsters in that XP level, 2 out 3 of my party could kill them in a single round. Our Paladin is capable of doing 30+ damage in a single hit, before he even gets to do his follow up bonus strike, and don't get me started on our sorcerer and her lightning bolt.
Do you think we're doing something wrong, or is the XP Threshold chart in the DM's guide a bit reserved?
How would they manage that? In that XP range would be, for instance a crystal golem at CR 10, 5,900 XP.
The crystal golem has *average* 178 hp or maximum of 255. No way any of them are killing that in one hit. It's also immune to poison, psychic, and all non-adamantine physical damage.
And if they're still rolling through encounters, rule #1 is don't use a single monster against a party. Send them a chain devil and a couple of barghests. :)
How would they manage that? In that XP range would be, for instance a crystal golem at CR 10, 5,900 XP.
The crystal golem has *average* 178 hp or maximum of 255. No way any of them are killing that in one hit. It's also immune to poison, psychic, and all non-adamantine physical damage.
And if they're still rolling through encounters, rule #1 is don't use a single monster against a party. Send them a chain devil and a couple of barghests. :)
It could work, not one hit, but one round w/ smites, sneak attacks, and nova moves in general.
Also, yes, use multiple monsters, how dnd 5e handles the action economy is trash. A 1:1 Monster to player ratio seems to be optimal. Especially because of fighters/paladins/barbarians with action surge and multi attack and whatnot.
Also, wear them down a bit before hand if you really want a solo monster.
Yes, throwing smaller "travel encounters" at them throughout the day will whittle down HP and spell availability, making larger encounters more difficult. Or try dragging the fight out. Just when they think they have the 1 big monster on the ropes, another 2 enemies show up.
Have you tried the encounter builder? Sounds like it may be of some benefit to you.
That also gives you a daily budget of 15000. So run multiple encounters.
Throw 4 CR2-3 monsters at them, then 10 CR1 monsters, followed by 1 CR9 boss. Short rests between encounyers are encouraged, but run all 3 encounters before their next long rest.
Hi all, looking for some help. I've been DMing a homebrew campaign for a couple of years now and starting to have issues creating combat encounters that challenge my players. I've been re reading the DM's guide on how to create encounters using XP thresholds based on level etc but it all comes out a bit too easy. My players are all level 7 which gives me a total XP Threshold of 5100 XP for an encounter with a single monster. Looking through the monster manual at monsters in that XP level, 2 out 3 of my party could kill them in a single round. Our Paladin is capable of doing 30+ damage in a single hit, before he even gets to do his follow up bonus strike, and don't get me started on our sorcerer and her lightning bolt.
Do you think we're doing something wrong, or is the XP Threshold chart in the DM's guide a bit reserved?
How would they manage that? In that XP range would be, for instance a crystal golem at CR 10, 5,900 XP.
The crystal golem has *average* 178 hp or maximum of 255. No way any of them are killing that in one hit. It's also immune to poison, psychic, and all non-adamantine physical damage.
And if they're still rolling through encounters, rule #1 is don't use a single monster against a party. Send them a chain devil and a couple of barghests. :)
It could work, not one hit, but one round w/ smites, sneak attacks, and nova moves in general.
I did NOT eat those hikers.
Also, yes, use multiple monsters, how dnd 5e handles the action economy is trash. A 1:1 Monster to player ratio seems to be optimal. Especially because of fighters/paladins/barbarians with action surge and multi attack and whatnot.
I did NOT eat those hikers.
Also, wear them down a bit before hand if you really want a solo monster.
I did NOT eat those hikers.
Yes, throwing smaller "travel encounters" at them throughout the day will whittle down HP and spell availability, making larger encounters more difficult. Or try dragging the fight out. Just when they think they have the 1 big monster on the ropes, another 2 enemies show up.
Have you tried the encounter builder? Sounds like it may be of some benefit to you.
That also gives you a daily budget of 15000. So run multiple encounters.
Throw 4 CR2-3 monsters at them, then 10 CR1 monsters, followed by 1 CR9 boss. Short rests between encounyers are encouraged, but run all 3 encounters before their next long rest.
One thing you could do is the old "ohh no here comes another one!" Maneuver.