Pathfinder 1E 3.x monsters in Pathfinder

[jinat]

If i use a 3rd edition monster as is in my Pathfinder encounter, whats the minimum tweek or consideration to take into account.

Should i consider it one CR less ? Or would i have to do a more extensive modifications ?

 

[Maxperson]

If i use a 3rd edition monster as is in my Pathfinder encounter, whats the minimum tweek or consideration to take into account.

Should i consider it one CR less ? Or would i have to do a more extensive modifications ?

I know this isn't as helpful as you like, but the sheer number of classes/prestige classes makes CR pretty useless. A CR 6 creatures will be simultaneously overpowered, underpowered and a good challenge for a level 6 group, depending on party class make-up. The best advice I can give is know the strengths and weaknesses of the party, and then match monsters up based on how they will fare against those strengths and weaknesses. Then assign your own CR to the encounter based on how difficult it is vs. the group.

 

[jinat]

I know this isn't as helpful as you like, but the sheer number of classes/prestige classes makes CR pretty useless. A CR 6 creatures will be simultaneously overpowered, underpowered and a good challenge for a level 6 group, depending on party class make-up. The best advice I can give is know the strengths and weaknesses of the party, and then match monsters up based on how they will fare against those strengths and weaknesses. Then assign your own CR to the encounter based on how difficult it is vs. the group.

But generally am i right in my assumption that a monster from 3rd edition is weaker then a monster with the same CR from Pathfinder ?

 

[Maxperson]

But generally am i right in my assumption that a monster from 3rd edition is weaker then a monster with the same CR from Pathfinder ?

I'm not as familiar with Pathfinder as I am with 3e, but I did start allowing Pathfinder classes, spells and such into my 3e games at one point. That quickly stopped as Pathfinder ramped up the power level of the game and it threw the balance off, so it would make sense that Pathfinder also ramped up monster power level to compensate.

Given the similarities between the two games(essentially the same, but with more power in Pathfinder), my advice is still sound. Look at the 3e monster and rate the abilities, DCs, etc. against the party saves, magic items, abilities, common spells, etc. and see how they match up. You can adjust from there.

 

[Robyo]

If i use a 3rd edition monster as is in my Pathfinder encounter, whats the minimum tweek or consideration to take into account.

Should i consider it one CR less ? Or would i have to do a more extensive modifications ?

That should work. Page 51 of the GM Guide gives 3 possibilities:
~ Reduce the CR by 1
~Add the Advanced Creature Simple Template (+2 to everything)
~Add Improved initiative and Toughness

 

[jinat]

That should work. Page 51 of the GM Guide gives 3 possibilities:
~ Reduce the CR by 1
~Add the Advanced Creature Simple Template (+2 to everything)
~Add Improved initiative and Toughness

Ah ! I see thankyou much appreciated.

 

[Ezequielramone]

Last message has the quicker way.
If you want to do all the work you could check the HD and adjust the bonuses. Also check the amount of feats and skills. If the monster has some special ability you could check if it makes sense with the pf system (the best example is how the troll's regeneration changed). You should calculated cmd and cmb.
The guidelines may not work fine at higher CR.

 

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

What I'm doing, rather than recalculating CR's is just rating how difficult or hard it was for the PC's to overcome. If they do it too easily, less XP (as if its PF CR were lower than it's listed 3X CR). If it's harder than it should be, a little more (as if it's PF CR were higher than the 3X CR). I, also, adjust the PF CR's in a similar manner, as PC parties vary in power from one party to another and while the CR system is good, a CR 3 monster might not feel like a CR 3 monster should against a level 3 party, in some cases. So, I might count it as a CR 2 or as a CR 4 depending on the circumstances.

I'm trying to do as little conversion as possible, though, as real life doesn't allow me the time to convert everything. Was originally planning to convert everything to 5E, but it's easier with the volume of 3X/PF material to stick with PF/3X and just convert what I want from 5th.

 

[Starfox]

I've run some 3E adventures, including stat blocks, in PF. I never felt much need to convert anything. But then, my game isn't very concerned with balance.