D&D 5E CRs and what is going on?

[Azurewraith]

To make them even more overconfident, have the wizard turn three of the Goristros and himself invisible before the PCs show up. Even better, cast a Major Illusion VI (permanent until dispelled) of the Balor so the PCs blow their alpha strikes on someone who isn't even really there.

Thats just mean, I bet your the kind of man/women that likes to kick puppies and steal children's lollipops

 

[MontyKC1974]

Thats just mean, I bet your the kind of man/women that likes to kick puppies and steal children's lollipops

Haha

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

So I have an encounter that is supposed to be deadly for 4 Lvl 7 PC. Finale encounter of the short campaign. But I have 7 PC, 5 L5 and 2L4. So according to the charts that would cut the XP value of the CR 13 beast in half for determining difficulty. So the beast has an XP value of 10k, way into the deadly range for 4 L7 PC which starts at 6800 XP. Deadly for my crew of 7 is 6500 XP, but since I cut its value in half for party size and encounter size I get a difficulty of just hard as it drops to 5000 XP in value. I'm pretty sure they will steam roll it without much trouble. If I add in a CR 6 minion I get a value 12300 XP which is again way into the deadly range. We will see how it plays out tonight.

 

[Shadowdweller00]

I've been looking over the numbers for the Balor. Its damage output is utterly anemic for a supposedly CR 19 monster. The goristro and marilith both have the potential to be more damaging (albeit with lower bonuses). The pit fiend, at a grand total of +1 CR, deals about DOUBLE the Balor's expected DPR. And sadly there are no utility or strategic abilities that make up for this - although it does have a pretty good fly speed and attack range. It seems that according to the DMG guidelines, the Death Throes trait has skewed the numbers beyond rationality. The balor is traditionally the greatest and most terrifying of demons (other than lords). This should not be because of how it dies.

 

[Quickleaf]

[MENTION=6778479]Shadowdweller00[/MENTION]
Actually, when I did DPR check (as part of my CR check) on the Balor, it came out to 99 damage, which when boosted by its attack bonus, according to DMG tables, puts it right at CR 19.

I think the issue is that its Fire Aura ends up being a significant sort of damage in the calculation, and if the PCs' front-line warriors have fire resistance/immunity its DPR drops significantly.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

Well the dragon killed 4 of the 7 by his second turn so I guess I was over estimating the party. He did have his lair advantage and an overconfident group of players in his favor though. Cr13 overwhelmed them.

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[S'mon]

It's good news for me that apparently my 5e Wilderlands game can now have wandering Balrog wilderness encounters again, as God and Bledsaw intended!

 

[GMforPowergamers]

I try to make super monsters, and I find that the CRs are always low...

 

[Quickleaf]

I think people sometimes overlook so-called soft factors- such as the whip that brings opponents close, and the fire aura *igniting* items.

I don't know about the PCs you are familiar with, but many PCs I am familiar with tend to carry scrolls, parchments, wear clothing, carry potions, and have all sorts of items that are not amenable to ignition.

Fire aura has limits that you are overlooking...

Fire Aura. At the start of each of the balor's turns , each creature within 5 feet of it takes 10 (3d6) fire damage, and flammable objects in the aura that aren't being worn or carried ignite. A creature that touches the balor or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it takes 10 (3d6) fire damage.