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<blockquote data-quote="kigmatzomat" data-source="post: 608706" data-attributes="member: 9254">I'd definitely start off with normal CR1 encounters.&nbsp; Not so much because you expect it to seriously challenge them, but so the party can work out the kinks of working together.&nbsp; Training wheel encounters.&nbsp; The typical rule is that a party should be able to have 4 encounters of their CL&nbsp; in a 24 hour span and survive, albeit exhausted and drained.&nbsp;&nbsp; So about 3 or 4 fights in, after they've got some experience together, hit them with 4 CR1s in 24 hours.&nbsp; On the other side of it are they drained?&nbsp; How close?&nbsp; Personally, I've never run a point buy game so I can't give any exact advice.&nbsp; I do run a 6 player +2NPC game, so I understand your problems.&nbsp;&nbsp; I calculate&nbsp; what CR the party is and subtract 2 steps (4CR) to determine the standard ECL.&nbsp;&nbsp; 4 PC + 1 NPC isn't enough to jump to a higher ECL though.&nbsp; &nbsp; Which is where you use the ECL/CR flex.&nbsp; Remember that any creatures with a total CR 3 less than the BBEG's CR do not increase the ECL of the encounter.&nbsp; Meaning that the CR5 rogue3/fighter2 could have a CR1 fighter1 and 2x CR 1/2 warrior1s and would still be ECL5, a moderate challenge to 3rd level PCs or a very straining one for 2nd level PCs.&nbsp; As far as XP awards, you are running a heroic game.&nbsp; You expect them to walk through many common opponents.&nbsp;&nbsp; So what if they level quickly?&nbsp; They are heroes, right?&nbsp; Use the flex in the ECLs and your judgement to keep it challenging.&nbsp;&nbsp; As long as the PCs are sweating they definitely earned the XPs.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="kigmatzomat, post: 608706, member: 9254"] I'd definitely start off with normal CR1 encounters. Not so much because you expect it to seriously challenge them, but so the party can work out the kinks of working together. Training wheel encounters. The typical rule is that a party should be able to have 4 encounters of their CL in a 24 hour span and survive, albeit exhausted and drained. So about 3 or 4 fights in, after they've got some experience together, hit them with 4 CR1s in 24 hours. On the other side of it are they drained? How close? Personally, I've never run a point buy game so I can't give any exact advice. I do run a 6 player +2NPC game, so I understand your problems. I calculate what CR the party is and subtract 2 steps (4CR) to determine the standard ECL. 4 PC + 1 NPC isn't enough to jump to a higher ECL though. Which is where you use the ECL/CR flex. Remember that any creatures with a total CR 3 less than the BBEG's CR do not increase the ECL of the encounter. Meaning that the CR5 rogue3/fighter2 could have a CR1 fighter1 and 2x CR 1/2 warrior1s and would still be ECL5, a moderate challenge to 3rd level PCs or a very straining one for 2nd level PCs. As far as XP awards, you are running a heroic game. You expect them to walk through many common opponents. So what if they level quickly? They are heroes, right? Use the flex in the ECLs and your judgement to keep it challenging. As long as the PCs are sweating they definitely earned the XPs. [/QUOTE]

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