I fully understand XP thresholds for defining difficulty. I don't fully understand how to assign amounts if you design the monster from scratch, but I feel like that's still a sensible logic.
What I don't understand is CR. It seems vaguer and less easy to measure than XP, but seems to be the preferred difficulty metric in most cases. How do you measure it? I've read the DMG, but I don't follow it that well. Is it just a quicker way of referring to XP boundaries?
Well the CR is like the equivalent level of that monster. In the DMG, there is a table to assign the CR to a brand-new monster, according to AC, statistics, and whatnot.
Note that the CR is made intentionally to underpower the monsters.
I find it easiest to think of CR as a quick benchmark - if the party is at least the CR of the monster in level, and isn't poorly equipped or worn out from other fights, then the party should be able to take out the monster in direct combat without any of the party getting taken down with it.
Kind of like a "this tall to ride" sign at an amusement park, and how it tells you when it's not too dangerous for you to hop on.
CR is meant as an easy benchmark for DMs to use when designing encounters. A four-person party should find an encounter with CR = the party level to be challenging but not deadly. Going CR above party level should be a more deadly encounter, whereas less than party level should be an easier encounter.
Not all monsters are born equal, so two monsters with the same CR may pose significantly different challenges to your party, depending on the party composition and how well prepared they are for the encounter. It's a good guideline to use when picking what to use, but don't feel beholden to it.
CR is only useful in very specific situations. The average level in a party of 4 will have medium difficulty against a single monster with a matching CR. IMO learn to use the monster xp formula to build encounters it works really well.
CR is only useful in very specific situations. The average level in a party of 4 will have medium difficulty against a single monster with a matching CR. IMO learn to use the monster xp formula to build encounters it works really well.
This is what I do as well, thanks for dropping this in here, I wasnt sure if others used just this method as well.
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I fully understand XP thresholds for defining difficulty. I don't fully understand how to assign amounts if you design the monster from scratch, but I feel like that's still a sensible logic.
What I don't understand is CR. It seems vaguer and less easy to measure than XP, but seems to be the preferred difficulty metric in most cases. How do you measure it? I've read the DMG, but I don't follow it that well. Is it just a quicker way of referring to XP boundaries?
Well the CR is like the equivalent level of that monster. In the DMG, there is a table to assign the CR to a brand-new monster, according to AC, statistics, and whatnot.
Note that the CR is made intentionally to underpower the monsters.
I find it easiest to think of CR as a quick benchmark - if the party is at least the CR of the monster in level, and isn't poorly equipped or worn out from other fights, then the party should be able to take out the monster in direct combat without any of the party getting taken down with it.
Kind of like a "this tall to ride" sign at an amusement park, and how it tells you when it's not too dangerous for you to hop on.
Right, i think it is easier the CR. I almost always use the milestone method for the XP, unless is a big boss.
CR is meant as an easy benchmark for DMs to use when designing encounters. A four-person party should find an encounter with CR = the party level to be challenging but not deadly. Going CR above party level should be a more deadly encounter, whereas less than party level should be an easier encounter.
Not all monsters are born equal, so two monsters with the same CR may pose significantly different challenges to your party, depending on the party composition and how well prepared they are for the encounter. It's a good guideline to use when picking what to use, but don't feel beholden to it.
CR is only useful in very specific situations. The average level in a party of 4 will have medium difficulty against a single monster with a matching CR. IMO learn to use the monster xp formula to build encounters it works really well.
Host of the Pocket Mimic Podcast, a D&D 5e Show! Join us and listen in as we build a new world step by step! (http://Pocketmimic.com)
DMs vs PCs! All DMs are evil | ENnie Award Winner | OSR style in a 5e world |1000+ character souls taken | 25+ yrs exp
Remember to hit the thanks button, if you feel my info was useful, it helps me know I've provided helpful information and know I'm on the right track.