How do I set proficiency bonus in DnD 2024 homebrew?

Hello, the proficiency bonus for my homebrew monster is incorrect; it reads as PB +3 rather than +4.

I have created the monster as a level 11 fighter and set its CR to the correct level, which is calculated based on its HP, AC, damage output, etc. However, the proficiency bonus for a level 11 fighter is +4; the bonus in DnD Beyond says +3.

Because I want the monster to correctly adhere to the DnD 2024 rules, I need to set the proficiency bonus manually. How do I do this?

There's no way to manually adjust the proficiency bonus on a homebrew monster independently of its challenge rating.

The FAQ in the first post of this thread has an item under Monsters that explains how it's calculated.

How do I report this error?

Quote from jayholden >>

How do I report this error?

I would not describe it as an error so much as a design decision, but you can always submit a support ticket about it.

A level 11 creature's proficiency bonus is always +4 regardless of it CR. You're saying that DnD Beyond's technology limitations, which tie a creature's proficiency bonus to its CR despite the bonus contradicting the creature's level, is not an error?

Quote from jayholden >>

A level 11 creature's proficiency bonus is always +4 regardless of it CR. You're saying that DnD Beyond's technology limitations, which tie a creature's proficiency bonus to its CR despite the bonus contradicting the creature's level, is not an error?

With respect, I think you're getting some concepts mixed up here. Levels are something player characters have. Creatures that aren't player characters don't have levels; they have a Challenge Rating instead.

The Proficiency Bonus for a creature that's not a player character is determined by its Challenge Rating, as defined here in the Monster Manual. D&D Beyond's homebrew system uses the algorithm listed there. This is not a technological limitation; it is how the rules define how this works.

I've been GMing for decades and homebrewing 5e since 2016, and I have not misunderstood anything.

The quantity of a creature's hit die, PC or otherwise, is determined by its level. We know that a Hobgoblin Warrior is level 2 because is has 2 hit die (2d8) and the total bonus HP it receives from its Con modifier is +2 (bonus HP per level is 1 because its Con modifier is +1).

Every monster adheres to these rules:

• An adult red dragon is level 19; it has 19 hit die, which are d12s because its size is Huge. Additionally it has 133 bonus HP on account of its +7 con mod (19 * 7 = 133). To make an attack it adds its +6 proficiency bonus to its +8 str mod for a total +14 to hit.
• An animated flying sword is level 4; it has 4 hit die, which are d6s because its size is Small. It has 0 bonus HP because its con mod is +0. To make an attack, it adds its +2 proficiency bonus to its +2 dex mod for a total +4 to hit.
• An ape is level 3; it has 3 hit die, which are d8s because its size is Medium. Additionally, it has 6 bonus HP on account of its +2 con mod (3 * 2 = 6). To make an attack it adds its +2 proficiency bonus to its +3 str mod for a total +5 to hit.
• A dracolich is level 18; it has 18 hit die, which are d12s because its size is Huge. Additionally it has 108 bonus HP on account of its +6 con mod (18 * 6 = 108). To make an attack it adds its +6 proficiency bonus to its +7 str mod for a total +13 to hit.
• A giant axe beak is level 8; it has 8 hit die, which are d12s because its size is Huge. Additionally it has 32 bonus HP on account of its +4 con mod (8 * 4 = 32). To make an attack it adds is +3 proficiency bonus to its +5 str mod for a total +8 to hit.

Calculations within monster stat blocks aren't arbitrary, they are calculated based on strict rules that include the creature's level.

Quote from jayholden >>

I've been GMing for decades and homebrewing 5e since 2016, and I have not misunderstood anything.

The quantity of a creature's hit die, PC or otherwise, is determined by its level. We know that a Hobgoblin Warrior is level 2 because is has 2 hit die (2d8) and the total bonus HP it receives from its Con modifier is +2 (bonus HP per level is 1 because its Con modifier is +1).

Well, regardless of how long you've been DMing, the actual rules in the actual book say that the Proficiency Bonus for a monster is calculated based on its Challenge Rating. (It is not based on its level, because monsters do not have levels. The whole point of Challenge Rating is to serve as a replacement for the class levels that PCs have.)

Here is the link to that part of the rules again: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/mm-2024/how-to-use-a-monster#ProficiencyBonus

Quote from jayholden >>

Calculations within monster stat blocks aren't arbitrary, they are calculated based on strict rules that include the creature's level.

To be clear, I am not saying that any of the calculations in a monster stat block are "arbitrary". I'm just pointing out that this one specific one is not calculated the way that you seem to think it is.

And, just to be clear, it's totally fine for you to calculate the stats for your own homebrew monsters however you want. If you want to think of them as having levels, that's fine too. I'm just saying that the way the D&D Beyond homebrew system calculates the Proficiency Bonus for a monster is the same algorithm given in the official rules, and that's why it's not an "error" that they're going to "fix".

I literally just gave you all the math you need to figure out that monsters do, in fact, have levels. Have fun with your made up game rules.

Quote from jayholden >>

I literally just gave you all the math you need to figure out that monsters do, in fact, have levels. Have fun with your made up game rules.

Well, I'm sorry you went to all that trouble. Frankly, for the purposes of your original post it doesn't really matter whether monsters have levels or not, as according to the rules in the Monster Manual, a monster's Proficiency Bonus is calculated based on its Challenge Rating, and there is no mention of any levels it might have. This rule is not any more or less "made up" than any other rule in D&D.

I'll give you the link one more time: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/mm-2024/how-to-use-a-monster#ProficiencyBonus