Blog (A5E) Encounter Building Preview

Level Up GMs will find themselves referring to this table frequently. Along with new monster math and CR values, we have a robust encounter building system (in which you can combine both monsters and exploration challenges). Kickstarter launches October 5th.

Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition (A5E)

The standalone 'advanced 5E' backwards compatible tabletop RPG!

www.levelup5e.com

 

[J.Quondam]

Just to check I understand this table, i'll read an example off it:

A Hard fight for four 7th level PCs would be an Encounter CR 14, of which the beefiest baddie/s should be no tougher than CR 10.

Is that how to read it?

 

[Argyle King]

I'm not sure that I understand what this chart is telling me.

 

[Stalker0]

For some weird reason I can't find this thread in the levelup forum, I only see it through the article noted on the front page.

 

[Bolongo]

Just to check I understand this table, i'll read an example off it:

A Hard fight for four 7th level PCs would be an Encounter CR 14, of which the beefiest baddie/s should be no tougher than CR 10.

Is that how to read it?

That seems likely.

But I wonder if any thought has gone into the action economy. The number of opponents is an important factor. Not as important as the official 5e encounter math seems to think, but still pretty important.

 

[Li Shenron]

It looks like a good idea, adding CRs instead of adding XPs should be much easier.

However, CRs and XPs are not in a linear relation with each other, so if adding XP works (the DMG method) then how can adding CR work as well? Of course, it can always be claimed that in fact adding XP doesn't work in the first place.

Either way, even if you only improved the description of the process of encounter building, it's a good thing because the DMG is unnecessarily confusing.

 

[dave2008]

Just to check I understand this table, i'll read an example off it:

A Hard fight for four 7th level PCs would be an Encounter CR 14, of which the beefiest baddie/s should be no tougher than CR 10.

Is that how to read it?

That is how I read it as well. No idea if it is accurate, but it seems to be a very simple rule of thumb that could be really easy to use.

Now, I hope they give some guidelines on how to modify or move up and down the chart based on your group composition (other than just # of PCs).

 

[dave2008]

Something I find interesting: according to this table it is impossible for a solo CR 30 monster to be hard encounter for any pary of more than 3 PCs.

Which is a bit odd, given what I've done to my group (5 PCs) with the RAW Tiamat!

 

[dave2008]

For some weird reason I can't find this thread in the levelup forum, I only see it through the article noted on the front page.

Not sure what is going on, it shows up for me:

 

[Morrus]

Something I find interesting: according to this table it is impossible for a solo CR 30 monster to be hard encounter for any pary of more than 3 PCs.

Which is a bit odd, given what I've done to my group (5 PCs) with the RAW Tiamat!

You're not seeing the effects of elite and legendary monster types there. There's more than just the table. Plus that Max CR row is important.

 

[BigZebra]

Really like the layout and design of this. Pretty while immensely readable.