I’ve been working on a project for a while. The idea is essentially this: What if someone wanted to play a dragon? Not simply as a static stat block that remained the same, but as a customizable character! There is plenty in Fizban’s book that would allow me to do this.
Other ideas for this monster to character method are: Devils, Modrons, Griffins, Mimics, Awakened Plants, Giant Beasts, and Mind Flayers.
My main idea is to graph a creature’s traits (such as a blue dragon’s) as related to CR. Abilities such as extra attack and other such things are granted at certain levels of power. A dragon’s base stats at level one (Strength, Intelligence, etc.) are directly on the line of best fit, and later stats are granted as ability score increases. Most customization after that is in the form of feats (think Animated Breath, Metallic Warblers, Dragonsight, etc)
DM’s can also use this to make custom NPCs without little effort, once the preliminary work is done.
My main problem with this is so: I don’t know the direct conversion between Level and CR.
Based on Fizban’s Book, and Polymorph (as well as other spells) it is one to one.
Based on the guide to making an encounter in the DM’s guide however (Setting up even odds between a single character and a single monster) it is three to one. Meaning that a level 3 character is equivalent to a CR 1 monster.
My next idea is to compare maximum spellcasting ability (max spell level) of each CR tier to level. I will report back when I get this.
Whatever feedback, ideas, or requests you all have would be appreciated.
I’ve been working on a project for a while. The idea is essentially this: What if someone wanted to play a dragon? Not simply as a static stat block that remained the same, but as a customizable character! There is plenty in Fizban’s book that would allow me to do this.
Other ideas for this monster to character method are: Devils, Modrons, Griffins, Mimics, Awakened Plants, Giant Beasts, and Mind Flayers.
My main idea is to graph a creature’s traits (such as a blue dragon’s) as related to CR. Abilities such as extra attack and other such things are granted at certain levels of power. A dragon’s base stats at level one (Strength, Intelligence, etc.) are directly on the line of best fit, and later stats are granted as ability score increases. Most customization after that is in the form of feats (think Animated Breath, Metallic Warblers, Dragonsight, etc)
DM’s can also use this to make custom NPCs without little effort, once the preliminary work is done.
My main problem with this is so: I don’t know the direct conversion between Level and CR.
Based on Fizban’s Book, and Polymorph (as well as other spells) it is one to one.
Based on the guide to making an encounter in the DM’s guide however (Setting up even odds between a single character and a single monster) it is three to one. Meaning that a level 3 character is equivalent to a CR 1 monster.
My next idea is to compare maximum spellcasting ability (max spell level) of each CR tier to level. I will report back when I get this.
Whatever feedback, ideas, or requests you all have would be appreciated.
Update: Spellcasting based conversion leads to a ratio of 526 to 339 (Level to CR)
Update: There are some odd exceptions, but generally, CR to Number of Hit Dice (could be considered level) is 1 to 1
Update: Proficiency bonus is also one to one