D&D General Mike Mearls says control spells are ruining 5th Edition

[Upper_Krust]

Peopke see CR 16 and think lvl 16. Its not its more like 8-10 depending on party size. Think o had CR 17 raw at 9.

I agree, it's not obvious how to incorporate it (unlike 4e).

on top of that a lot of monsters do not meet the target CR, because the devs think secondary factors are a swinging factor which they are not.

But then another factor is players going nova for 1-3 rounds. Rest, rinse, repeat.

So to properly (IMO) determine a monster's CR, you need to use the DMG. listed damage per round (and forget secondary factors) and then you probably* need to maximise its damage when Bloodied (to punish early nova-ing).

*I say probably because it's not something I would implement wholesale, at least not as yet, still testing it.

Better encounter design is lower CR boss but has support. CR 2-4 are cheap and have enough HP to be distracting.

To few get wrecked by control. Fodders useless to many its a grind.

A simpler way is just to fix Boss monsters.

Give it Legendary Resistance uses equal to Proficiency Bonus, make each use of LR. both cost a Legendary Action (or Reaction) and have it apply -1 Proficiency Bonus (as per 2024 Exhaustion rules).

 

[AnotherGuy]

It's very very very doable.
5e PCs punch waaay above their weight class.

I ask because we have homebrewed so much to the point where I cannot honestly comment on RAW PC versus monsters anymore - also we have been focusing on higher levels last few years.
The PCs are more powerful at our table due to the use of HD but that is reined in via our exhaustion track, the Resting Mechanic and monster upgrade.

 

[Upper_Krust]

I would say an Elder Vampire is equal to a Mummy Lord and CR 15-17.

That seems to be the best fit.

I'm thinking more the super powerful epic level summon a forest full of night creature, 2 seasons of plot to kill, vampire.

If that's just wolves and bats I'd assume a Kingdom would survive. If it was werewolves and/or ghouls then maybe it's more of a problem.

 

[Upper_Krust]

It's very very very doable.
5e PCs punch waaay above their weight class.

Agreed. We beat Graz'zt, 2 Marilith, a Storm Giant and a bunch of other minions a few months ago...easily...and that was after 2 other encounters. Average PC 15th.

 

[Upper_Krust]

I don't know I'd agree that Dracula is a continent-style threat. Even if you account for him controlling a country... I guess in Hellsing it might be true?

Hellsing Dracula defeated a Demigod.