CR/ELs for bigger (or smaller) party size

[Davelozzi]

In Dungeon # 89, Jonathon Tweet has a chart showing how to determine effective part level for parties that have more or less the standard four members. Has anyone had any experience as to whether or not this chart is fairly accurate?

It appears in the adventure "Wedding Bells" in the sidebar on page 80.

 

[Cloudgatherer]

While I don't know of the particular chart, I can say Charles Greathouse (CRGreathouse) worked out a great little formula.

Let x = 2^(a/2) + 2^(b/2)....

Where a, and b (and possibly other letters) are the levels of each of your party members.

The effective party level (average party level essentially) is

2 * ln (x) / ln(2) - 4

I know it looks messy, but it works out fairly well to me. Maybe Greathouse will come in and correct me if I made any mistakes.

Later!

 

[CRGreathouse]

You have the formula correct, Cloudgatherer.

It's easiest to use inside an Excel spreadsheet, but a hand calculator works just as well, if you can take logs.