Zardnaar
Legend
Kinda some are a TPK waiting to happen though. Flameskulls vs level 2 and 3 PCs.
D&D 5E Warlock of the Archfey CR 4???
Kinda some are a TPK waiting to happen though. Flameskulls vs level 2 and 3 PCs.
Fanaelialae
Legend
Flameskulls are CR 4. The DMG cautions against using creatures whose CR is above the party level for exactly that reason.
Of course, it's still a serious threat to a level 4 party, but with it's 13 AC and only 40 HP, the party can potentially burn it down in a single round or so. Such is the nature of a glass cannon; you end up with swingy encounters.
Zardnaar
Legend
And yet in offical adventures and the encounter guidelines you have things +6CR above the party level.
Fanaelialae
Legend
It's not recommended, it is not however forbidden. At higher levels you have some more wiggle room (I assume this is not a CR 7 in a level 1 adventure). Also, is it possible that not all of those encounters are intended to be a combat challenge for the players? That was not uncommon in older modules (before CR was a thing).
Zardnaar
Legend
CR 13 Dragon in HotDQ for level 7 PCs. And a vampire as well.
Lost mines of Phandelver, Flameskull for level 3 or 4 PCs that was almost a TPK there.
Fanaelialae
Legend
I've never read or played HotDQ, so I don't know the context of these encounters. Are these both mandatory combat encounters (you cannot progress the adventure without defeating these monsters)? Can the PCs learn about these creatures beforehand and therefore prepare for the encounter? Are there any items in the adventure (a sword of dragon slaying perhaps) that would give them a special advantage in the encounter? All of these are factors.
Furthermore, it does nothing to change the fact that the DMG advises caution with regard to using monsters whose CR is above that of the party.
You know what they say, almost doesn't count.
Zardnaar
Legend
I've never read or played HotDQ, so I don't know the context of these encounters. Are these both mandatory combat encounters (you cannot progress the adventure without defeating these monsters)? Can the PCs learn about these creatures beforehand and therefore prepare for the encounter? Are there any items in the adventure (a sword of dragon slaying perhaps) that would give them a special advantage in the encounter? All of these are factors.
Furthermore, it does nothing to change the fact that the DMG advises caution with regard to using monsters whose CR is above that of the party.
You know what they say, almost doesn't count.
Well I used the wncounter on level 7 pxs but they were over equiped and had some rifles.
jgsugden
Legend
Having an encounter with a powerful monster does not require combat with that monster. Sometimes heroes need to figure out how they'll address monsters that are more powerful than their party.
The books assume PCs will face enemies that, individually, are more powerful than the PCs in the group. Whenever that takes place, the PCs need to have some preparation so that they don't get ambushed with no chance to protect themselves and get TPKed.
Common sense - D&D is a role playing game. The PCs play a role in a story. Make sure the story you're telling is fun.
The books assume PCs will face enemies that, individually, are more powerful than the PCs in the group. Whenever that takes place, the PCs need to have some preparation so that they don't get ambushed with no chance to protect themselves and get TPKed.
Common sense - D&D is a role playing game. The PCs play a role in a story. Make sure the story you're telling is fun.
Xeviat
Hero
We're talking about the balance of the CR system, not the greater game as a whole. My concern is that there is a CR 4 monster who can summon a CR 6 monster. Obviously I'm concerned about the combat balance of such a monster, or else I wouldn't even care about the CR system.
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