Fiendish Codex II: Assassin devil CR 11?

[Elder-Basilisk]

The Fiendish Codex II web preview is available. Part of it is a new monster: the assassin devil:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20061207a&page=5

Is it just me or is the assassin devil significantly more than the CR 11 it is billed at?

I know that characters of an equivalent level aren't a very good way to gauge CRs (because NPCs generally fall short of the CR mechanically assigned to them), but with shadow form essentially granting it hide in plain sight, the sneak attack of a 9th level rogue, and the attack bonus, hit points, and armor class of an 11th level fighter combined with its spell resistance, excellent saves, high hit points (for a sneaky creature), and spell like abilities, it probably deserves a CR of 12 or 13 at the minimum. Is there something I'm missing here?

 

[Aus_Snow]

Well, I suppose the next thing to do would be: compare its stats to those of a CR11 critter that is considered 'balanced' by most discerning DMs. Strikes me as an easy, direct way to judge its relative power.

 

[frankthedm]

I know that characters of an equivalent level aren't a very good way to gauge CRs (because NPCs generally fall short of the CR mechanically assigned to them), but with shadow form essentially granting it hide in plain sight, the sneak attack of a 9th level rogue, and the attack bonus, hit points, and armor class of an 11th level fighter combined with its spell resistance, excellent saves, high hit points (for a sneaky creature), and spell like abilities, it probably deserves a CR of 12 or 13 at the minimum. Is there something I'm missing here?

The recent monsters have been having CRs assigned based on the assumption the players are using all the splat material to the utmost.

A fair amount of the recent monsters expect powergaming from the PCs. Splat material makes characters stronger, so must the monsters be made stronger.

 

[Nightfall]

Unless they have less to spend...like in Scarred Lands.

 

[BOZ]

i liked the Dis preview. http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20061207a&page=1