Minotaur Character ECL/CR ???

[Wolffenjugend]

Here is the situation:

Minotaur, Cleric 11, Fighter 2, Justiciar 2

By my calculations:

CR = 4 (minotaur) + 3 (6 levels cleric at 1/2 as non-associated class) + 5 (5 levels cleric at 1 per cleric level as non-associated class) + 4 (fighter & justiciar as associated class) = 16

ECL = 6 (minotaur HD) + 15 (class levels) + 2 (minotaur level adj.) = 23

By my understanding of the 3.5 MM rules for monsters & class levels, this creature is considered a 23rd-lvl character (using its ECL) when determining equipment and acquires feats as a monster (every 3 HD).

Are my calculations and assumptions correct? And if so, what is its CR used for?


p.s. is there an error calculating the minotaur's skill points? I calculate it to have 6 skill points (2-2 Int per HD = min 1 per HD = 6), but the skill entry adds up to 9 (even considering the +4 bonus to Listen, Search, and Spot).

 

[CRGreathouse]

All of your calculations are correct, and the entry is in error.

CR is used to determine what level a 4-character group would have to be for the monster to be a reasonable encounter. A group 3-4 levels lower will have significant trouble defeating the monster, and may very well lose PCs.