I'm making my own mobs for my campaign for the first time. From what I understand Spell save DC is 8 + Prof + Modifier and spell attack mod is Prof + modifier. On the Monster Statistics by Challenge Rating table it shows for level 3 (as an example)...
CR
Prof. Bonus
Armor Class
Hit Points
Attack Bonus
Damage/ Round
Save DC
3
+2
13
101–115
+4
21–26
13
If I make a mob with a +2 modifier (e.g. Charisma based spellcaster with 14(+2) CHAR). That would be Attack bonus +4 and a Save DC of 14. If the CHAR was 12(+1) Save DC would be 13 but attack would be +3.
My questions is basically, am I missing something about the table or doing something wrong? At the moment I have to choose over Attack bonus or Save DC when making a mob.
This table is telling you what values you should be aiming for to hit your target CR. However, values can be higher or lower as long as things average out. I suggest reading the entire section as it walks you through the process
I'm making my own mobs for my campaign for the first time. From what I understand Spell save DC is 8 + Prof + Modifier and spell attack mod is Prof + modifier. On the Monster Statistics by Challenge Rating table it shows for level 3 (as an example)...
CR
PROF. BONUS
ARMOR CLASS
HIT POINTS
ATTACK BONUS
DAMAGE/ ROUND
SAVE DC
3
+2
13
101–115
+4
21–26
13
If I make a mob with a +2 modifier (e.g. Charisma based spellcaster with 14(+2) CHAR). That would be Attack bonus +4 and a Save DC of 14. If the CHAR was 12(+1) Save DC would be 13 but attack would be +3.
My questions is basically, am I missing something about the table or doing something wrong? At the moment I have to choose over Attack bonus or Save DC when making a mob.
Hope this makes sense thank you in advance.
Two things:
Your math is incorrect. As you’ve noted, Save DC = 8 + Mod + Prof. If something is CR 3, then it has a Prof of +2, and with a Cha of 14 it would have a Mod of +2 as well. 8+2+2=12, not 14 as you have calculated.
The 13 listed on the chart is the Average Save DC for a CR 3 monster, but is the actual save DC is higher or lower that’s okay as long as the overall average of the creature’s “Offensive CR” and “Defensive CR” come out to an “Average CR” of 3 for that monster. Make sense?
One other thing to mention is that “mobs” aren’t usually built the same as individual monsters. There are “Swarms,” built as monsters, but they have very specific rules to go along with them. Mobs on the other hand usually follow their own guidelines: (https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dmg/running-the-game#HandlingMobs).
There's also the possibility that a monster's attacks, and their saving throw effects, may not be based on the same ability score. For example, a dragonborn's breath weapon is based on their CON score, so their breath weapon save DC won't always correspond to their attack bonus (based on STR, DEX, or a casting ability).
There's also the possibility that a monster's attacks, and their saving throw effects, may not be based on the same ability score. For example, a dragonborn's breath weapon is based on their CON score, so their breath weapon save DC won't always correspond to their attack bonus (based on STR, DEX, or a casting ability).
Yeah, for the vast majority of Monsters, their Save DCs are based on Con, Int, Wis, or Cha, while attack bonuses are based on Str or Dex. That’s a good point.
Monster Stats by CR
I'm making my own mobs for my campaign for the first time. From what I understand Spell save DC is 8 + Prof + Modifier and spell attack mod is Prof + modifier. On the Monster Statistics by Challenge Rating table it shows for level 3 (as an example)...
CR
Prof.
Bonus
Armor Class
Hit Points
Attack Bonus
Damage/
Round
Save DC
If I make a mob with a +2 modifier (e.g. Charisma based spellcaster with 14(+2) CHAR). That would be Attack bonus +4 and a Save DC of 14. If the CHAR was 12(+1) Save DC would be 13 but attack would be +3.
My questions is basically, am I missing something about the table or doing something wrong? At the moment I have to choose over Attack bonus or Save DC when making a mob.
Hope this makes sense thank you in advance.
This table is telling you what values you should be aiming for to hit your target CR. However, values can be higher or lower as long as things average out. I suggest reading the entire section as it walks you through the process
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
Two things:
One other thing to mention is that “mobs” aren’t usually built the same as individual monsters. There are “Swarms,” built as monsters, but they have very specific rules to go along with them. Mobs on the other hand usually follow their own guidelines: (https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dmg/running-the-game#HandlingMobs).
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
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There's also the possibility that a monster's attacks, and their saving throw effects, may not be based on the same ability score. For example, a dragonborn's breath weapon is based on their CON score, so their breath weapon save DC won't always correspond to their attack bonus (based on STR, DEX, or a casting ability).
Yeah, for the vast majority of Monsters, their Save DCs are based on Con, Int, Wis, or Cha, while attack bonuses are based on Str or Dex. That’s a good point.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting