class levels and CR

[freyar]

A question for those knowledgeable (I'd repost elsewhere, but I figure I'll start with the experts): I recently got a copy of FC1, and I noticed something odd about the CR/EL in the sample encounter for the Yochlol. The EL listed is 16 for a yochlol bard 13, when the CR for a standard yochlol is 8 (with 10 hit dice). Why such a low EL? I noticed a similar issue for Red Shroud in Dungeon 148 (she is a succubus sorceror 11/fatespinner 4 listed at CR 19). Is there a general principle I'm missing? I thought the rule was to add +1 to CR per class level (nonassociated or NPC classes start with the second level), but that doesn't seem to work here. But these writers generally know their stuff...

 

[Mortis]

I thought the rule was to add +1 to CR per class level (nonassociated or NPC classes start with the second level), but that doesn't seem to work here.

Nonassociated classes only add +1/2 CR per level (until one of the nonassociated clases equals the creature's racial hit dice. See the SRD.

Regards
Mortis

 

[freyar]

Oh, oops, why on earth did I think it was \delta CR = nonassoc level -1? Guess that would do it, then.

 

[Kain Darkwind]

To be perfectly fair, +1 per associated level or +1/2 per unassociated level can only hold true for maybe 50% base advancement for creatures over 10HD. Which is why the final step of CR evaluation is to take a good hard look at your creature's capabilities.