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Message: <blockquote data-quote="dave2008" data-source="post: 9017023" data-attributes="member: 83242">But they were intended as an easy encounter for a 5th level group.  So this gets me back to: what are your expectations? It seemed like you wanted this fight to be more challenging than it was intended to be.  However, you didn't change it.  Why not? If you wanted more of a challenge then the encounter is designed to provide, why not make it tougher?Dragons are not a good example in general because, IIRC, they tend to be under rated on their CR.  I don't know fi that holds true for young dragons, but it does for ancient ones (typically the only dragons I use). I see don't have DnD Beyond, but I assume you have access to the MM and Basic Rules. Look at a:AbolethDeath SlaadGuardian NagaStone GolemThese all have similar bonuses and a less devastating special attack or spells.However, you were talking about multiple weak threats not one big threat.  If you went with (2) CR 7 foes it would have less focused damage and special attacks and give a similar challenge. The issue is the blights are  CR 1/8. That is likely never going to be what I consider a "challenge"I the stone giant can petrify and the froghemoth can swallow IIRC. Neither of which is as whole party threatening than the dragon breath. I think you are too concerned about special abilities personally. Yes they can be an issue if they come up every encounter, but that shouldn't be the case IMO. Also, if you just use (2) CR 7 or (4) CR 5 monsters you are in a similar challenge, but with less potentially dangerous special attacks (lower save DC at least).I don't find that to be the case. I personally don't need an elaborate stat block to make an interesting monster. TBH, they are sometimes a hinderance at the table. It is how you play it, not what is written IMO anyway. I play my monsters more fast and loose and let them do what makes sense. The damage and difficulty guidelines in the DMG are your friend hear and allow me to improv while staying with the game's expectations.Have you looked at any of the enhancing XYZ threads? Not sure if there is a Curse one or not, but I did find this:<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/CurseofStrahd/comments/8s3hvy/fleshing_out_curse_of_strahd_a_full_guide_to/" target="_blank">Fleshing out Curse of Strahd: A full guide to running the campaign for new and experienced DMs - The Basics</a>and this:<a href="https://www.thegamer.com/dungeons-dragons-dnd-curse-of-strahd-improvements-fixes-changes/" target="_blank">10 Ways to Improve Curse of Strahd</a></blockquote>

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