[MMIII] Yes. Thank you.

[Longbow]

Great book. I just have to browse it a bit, read a little of the flavor text and a dozen adventure ideas or encounters come to mind. I am a little worried about some CRs, though (too low maybe).

 

[CRGreathouse]

Actually, not in this particular case. The entry specifies that part of the aura's magic causes victims to drown faster than normal. (Don't have the book in front of me, so I can't quote the exact mechanics.)

I hereby dub this monster stupid. Either you metagame your behind off and run away when you see it (until you can prepare waterbreathing), or you die a miserable death. And yet, 8th-level PCs should only expend one-quarter of their resources defeating it? Yeah, tell me another one.

It strikes me that the monster's aura is actually filling the lungs of its foes with water -- you'll begin to drown very quickly if that's the case! It seems to fit with the description, and it's a nice visual.

 

[DragonLancer]

At the end of the day who actually uses the CR system? Just look at the creature and compare it to the characters in the party to see what sort of challenage it is.

True, WotC should not make mistakes but that'll never change.

 

[ForceUser]

At the end of the day who actually uses the CR system? Just look at the creature and compare it to the characters in the party to see what sort of challenage it is.

True, WotC should not make mistakes but that'll never change.

I use the CR system. It's quite useful as a tool for gauging the relative difficulty of an encounter.

 

[VirgilCaine]

I use the CR system. It's quite useful as a tool for gauging the relative difficulty of an encounter.

Have to agree here. Having a number to look at helps a lot.

 

[DragonLancer]

I don't find it that helpful past low levels, because theres too many variables (buff spells, magic items...etc).

I compare the monster BAB and AC to what I see the characters can pull off.

Monster BAB+10 = Average AC it can hit.
Monster AC-10 = is the modifiers that the PC need to be able to hit on average.

Then just compare any special abilities with saves and SR to what the party can on average pull off.

 

[Mercule]

I use the CR system. It's quite useful as a tool for gauging the relative difficulty of an encounter.

I use it a baseline. Basically, it helps me narrow down the list of critters with which to populate the dungeon. I don't consider CR 15 when the party is 3rd level. I consider the specifics to be a bit gray, though.

 

[Felon]

I compare the monster BAB and AC to what I see the characters can pull off.

Monster BAB+10 = Average AC it can hit.
Monster AC-10 = is the modifiers that the PC need to be able to hit on average.

Then just compare any special abilities with saves and SR to what the party can on average pull off.

So AC is your primary consideration? Hmm. AC doesn't scale that much, and the designers don't really try that hard to make sure it does. At higher levels, monsters seem to rely more on their special qualities (DR, incorporeality, concealment, etc) as well as sheer hit points.

Oh well, whatever works for you. To address your original question though, I do think a lot of DM's use CR.

 

[HeavyG]

Does anyone have a link to a website or review with a list of all monsters in there ?

 

[DragonLancer]

So AC is your primary consideration? Hmm. AC doesn't scale that much, and the designers don't really try that hard to make sure it does. At higher levels, monsters seem to rely more on their special qualities (DR, incorporeality, concealment, etc) as well as sheer hit points.

Oh well, whatever works for you. To address your original question though, I do think a lot of DM's use CR.

I wouldn't say primary as I tend to look the whole monster over, but as recent debates have shown the CR system doesn't always work very well.