Adjust EL for underequiped PC's

[Herzog]

Ok, so I give out less magic items than should be considered 'normal', and I don't have 'magic shops' in my campaign(s). (this is the immediate result of converting a RCD&D campaign to 3.5)

Any ideas on how to adjust EL's for this kind of campaign?

For an indication: I have 5 characters, average level 8, and they have +1, some +2 weapons, +1 or +2 armor, and no 'boosting' items.

I plan to introduce some of these in the next adventure, but until they have them: What would be a challenging encounter? should I reduce the EL by approximately 1? more? any ideas?

Herzog

 

[S'mon]

OK, they're not massively underequipped, I guess standard at 8th is more like +2, starting to get +3. 3e Clerics won't suffer much from this, and Wizards barely at all. It also depends on stats - if they have 25 point buy type stats (or 3d6 in order) they will be weaker; if they have more like average 13+ stats already they can do without the +2 buff items that are standard 3e at this level. Finally, party numbers - a party of 6 with equipment you've listed should be fine for standard EL encounters. If there are 4 of them, I agree EL should be roughly 1 lower. Main thing is be very, very wary about putting monsters of CR 8+ against them; they can probably handle 2 CR 6 but might well lose PCs to a single CR 9.

 

[S'mon]

Assuming it's 4 PCs with stats averaging around 12-13, the kind of encounters I'd suggest would be 2 trolls or ettins encountered at range or 1 troll ambushes; 1 hill giant, maybe with a few orcs, 1 frost giant encountered at range. You'll find the melee PCs will really struggle against the big melee monsters compared to RC. A 6th level orc barbarian with some 2nd level orc barbarians in a warband. Maybe an 8th level evil Sorcerer with his 6th level Fighter cohort - NPCs are generally far weaker than monsters whose CR equals their level, and they have magic gear to boost your PCs!

 

[charlesatan]

It depends on what you throw at them. If it's humanoid PCs (which I am assuming don't possess more wealth than the PCs), not much really is needed.

It's monsters that you have to worry about, usually the ones with insane hp for their level, a ridiculously high DR that can't be overcome by the current players's arsenal (material dr is fine, alignment might be a problem), and any extralaneous abilities such as flight or spells with high DC's.

What exactly are you planning to throw at them and we'll evaluate it from there.

 

[Hussar]

Well, for 8th level PC's their wealth is actually pretty much spot on. You aren't going to see much higher than a +2 weapon at this point anyway. And, the only stat boost items are +2, and a +1 isn't really THAT big of a deal. As S'mon said, the stats of the PC's will likely have a bigger impact.

As far as alignment based DR, it's unlikely that CR 8 or even 10 critters even have that. I'm sure that there might be one or two, but, it's pretty far between. DR/Magic is going to be far more common and you have that covered.

Honestly, take a moment to price out the equipment that the PC's have. I think, even if I'm not sure, that you are likely within a few thousand gp's of the recommended wealth anyway. With +2 items, you are already over 7th level wealth, so, you're probably very, very close.

In other words, your PC's are spot on for encounters.

 

[Bagpuss]

I think, even if I'm not sure, that you are likely within a few thousand gp's of the recommended wealth anyway. With +2 items, you are already over 7th level wealth, so, you're probably very, very close.

In other words, your PC's are spot on for encounters.

Wealth for 7th level is 19,000gp +2 is only 8,000gp plus change. They aren't already over 7th level wealth, they aren't even half that.

 

[Klaus]

Stat up a fully-equipped 8th-level character. Compare to one of your PCs. If the PC is underpowered, stat up a fully-equipped 7th-level character. Compare. Repeat as needed.

I'd guess your party is at about -2 EL.

 

[Hussar]

Wealth for 7th level is 19,000gp +2 is only 8,000gp plus change. They aren't already over 7th level wealth, they aren't even half that.

or an indication: I have 5 characters, average level 8, and they have +1, some +2 weapons, +1 or +2 armor, and no 'boosting' items.

+2 weapon 8000 gp, +2 armor 4000 gp, +2 shield 4000 gp = dead on for 7th level. I'm assuming (perhaps wrongly) that they do have a few other goodies as well. Not all that far off.

 

[Bagpuss]

+2 weapon 8000 gp, +2 armor 4000 gp, +2 shield 4000 gp = dead on for 7th level. I'm assuming (perhaps wrongly) that they do have a few other goodies as well. Not all that far off.

So if they all had the best items in the examples (which they obviously don't) then they still need 3 grand of other items.

 

[Argus Decimus Mokira]

Grim Tales has some info about under-equipped NPCs/monsters - might have something about PCs, too. If I recall correctly, its in one of the free pdfs.

-Matt