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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Shin Okada" data-source="post: 5689862" data-attributes="member: 1956">While I do not say CR is completely useless, I agree with kitcik that trial ane error (or modification based on each DM's experience) is the only way to go.Not just PCs and players, but monsters and DMs are not created equal. The same monster controlled by different DM has different efficiency.Also, the power of each PC does not define the party's entire strength. The party's strength is composed of not only each PC's strength and each player's cleverness, but also highly dependent on entire party's composition and how-well they co-operate.The same can be said for monsters, too. Five CR 9 Frost Giants are not equal to three Frost Giants plus a Level 9 NPC mage and a Level 9 Cleric. If played appropriately, the latter is often far much stronger.So, making each encounter to be challenging to a certain party is an art, not a math.Still, CR is at least a moderately useful tool when doing the first step to make an appropriately challenging encounter. But that is just a rough guideline. You always need some adjustments.>I was hoping for some advice on how to rate the party's actual performance, rather than their potential performance.You will learn how the party is strong after, and only after, they actually fight several encounters. Sorry, but that is the truth, I say.</blockquote>