Factors Affecting CR and EL

[starwed]

I'm interested in knowing which monsters are over/undervalued for CR (like the ogre mage, for example). So, which critters are the wrong CR, and what is the right value?

Storm elementals are the most ridiculous example I've personally seen. I think the CR9 version can do a 30d6 AOE attack every few rounds... (note that said attack has the capability of healing other storm elementals, if you encounter a group of them.)

 

[AllisterH]

There are some monsters though that are just designed badly IMO. Any monster that depends on a counterable trick has a wonky CR.

Example: Bodaks and Harpies. If you for some reason have a surprise encounter with multiples Bodaks, you're looking at a serious chance of a TPK.

Conversely, if you KNEW you were going into a fight with Bodaks, one spell makes them a total non-issue (check out how weak a Bodak or Harpy is without their signature attack)

 

[MichaelSomething]

Don't forget feats! In 3.5, you can choose the feats that your monsters have! Some feats that 3.5 MM monsters have are simply bad. Of course, with access to the correct monster splat book, feats can increase CR!

 

[Runestar]

I have always wondered how VOP would interact with monsters as npcs, especially those with a lot of HD for their cr. It gets even more wonky when you realize that their cr typically assumes they have no/minimal gear. A young adult gold dragon (cr14) with the gear befitting a ECL20 PC...

 

[Lord Xtheth]

I think Treasure should take away from ECL as well. I mean if I roll up a cr 1 goblin who just so happens to have a random Belt of Gian Girth +4 in his poorly locked chest, the PCs are so not getting xps.
However, if the PCs fight an elder wyrm red dragon and find nothing in his hoard but his fine collection of Star Wars Cure Light Wounds potions... theres gotta be an XP bump.