Encounter level vs Challenge Rating

[Hennet]

I'm in the midst of crusading against Tyranny (well, I'm doing a little shopping too) otherwise I'd look this up myself. Could someone explain the difference between "Encounter Level" and "Challenge Rating"? Is CR set for creature where as EL varies depending on how many creatures there are and what the situation is? Or is that backwards?

It's important--I told my director that rot grubs are old school and _not _ in my contract. But if I have to encounter them, I want to make sure I get appropriate experience (and not just scale, either).

Thanks.

 

[SableWyvern]

1. Its 2am so I'm not going to try to give a proper answer.

2. Short answer: CR = individual critter; EL = all things _encountered_ at the one time.

3. This should be in Rules, methinks.

 

[drnuncheon]

I'm in the midst of crusading against Tyranny (well, I'm doing a little shopping too) otherwise I'd look this up myself. Could someone explain the difference between "Encounter Level" and "Challenge Rating"? Is CR set for creature where as EL varies depending on how many creatures there are and what the situation is? Or is that backwards?

Nope, you're pretty much right.

CR is for individual creatures. It is used to determine XP.

EL is for the encounter as a whole. It is used to gauge the difficulty of the encounter and also to determine treasure.

For example, 1 CR 5 creature is EL 5. If you defeated it you'd get treasure basedon EL 5 and experience based on CR 5.

Two CR 5 creatures are EL 7. If you defeated them you'd get XP for CR5 twice, and treasure based on EL 7.

J