Assistance with understanding Encounter Level, please?

[Henry]

I was hoping that one of the learned sages of ENWorld would help with a foolishly simple problem.

In 3.0, I understood gauging an encounter's EL to be: use the creatures' CR as a base, then for every doubling of the number of creatures of that same CR value, add +2. Is this rule correct, and if so, does it still apply in 3.0?

I ask because for an upcoming game I am envisioning a simple "mook fight" of a number of CR 1 creatures; it is a straight-up fight with no ambushing or circumstances that would make it a more difficult encounter. However, +2 for every doubling sounds like a gross overestimation of their capabilities.

Also, could someone tell me if the Encounter Level gauging rules in 3.5 are superior to the info given in the 3.0 DMG? I am currently working from the SRD, rather than purchasing the 3.5 PHB/DMG/MM, and was wondering if it's worth purchasing the new books based solely on the EL information?

 

[MichaelH]

The 3.5 DMG uses a chart (pg. 49) to find how many creatures of a given CR you need for a given EL or average party level. It works for most scenarios.

It also gives the general rule of +2 EL for doubling the number of creatures. However, it also specifically says this does not work for creatures with a CR of 1 or lower, nor does this method or the chart in the book work when you are dealing with 13 or more creatures.

Whether or not the 3.5 DMG would be worth your while if you play 3.0, I cannot say. You might want to go to your local FLGS and read the section on encounters. It's only 3 pages (pgs. 48-50). If you like what you read, pick it up.

 

[Spatula]

You can also figure out the EL by adding up the XP value of all the creatures and seeing what CR that is equal to for your party. That CR will be the EL. This is handy for groups of mixed CRs, but can also be useful when deal with odd numbers of creatures with the same CR.

It's important to remember, though, that like CR, EL is just a guestimate.

 

[Henry]

Whether or not the 3.5 DMG would be worth your while if you play 3.0, I cannot say.

Actually, it's our first game using 3.5 Rules in entirety; it just occurred to me that even 8 CR 1 creatures are for the most part no match for a party of 4 3rd level PC's, despite that they should be around EL 6 to 8.

Thanks!