What's the CR on a PC?

[Stalker0]

Let's say you have a group of 5 10th level characters, and for whatever reason one of the characters turns on the other. You now have one 10th level PC against 4.

Normally a 10th level NPC is CR 10 but this is a PC with PC class levels and the normal PC treasure amount. What would you estimate the CR to be?

 

[Dracorat]

Nevermind.

 

[Shin Okada]

CR 11-12 maybe. Depends on gears and stats.

Comparing PCs to average NPCs in DMG may work. They will likely to have the attack bonus, AC, HP, spell-DC, etc., equal or near to those of NPCs who are 1, 2, or more levels higher.

 

[pawsplay]

No CR. The other PCs are not the challenges they have been tasked with overcoming. Intraparty fighting is simply a failure in the decision making process.

 

[00Machado]

Overcoming the single 10th level PC would be a EL 10 encounter for the other PCs, and result in CR 10 XP (assuming you wanted it to be a legitimate encounter) divided among them.

Overcoming 4 10th level PCs would be an EL 14 encounter for for the single PC, who would receive CR 10 XP x 4.

Chances are you wouldn't want to make it a legitimate encounter (i.e. worthy of experience points) though.

 

[seans23]

Damn, I've been shortchanging my NPCs who kill my players all this time, because I've just been using the character level for the CR when awarding them XPs.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Damn, I've been shortchanging my NPCs who kill my players all this time, because I've just been using the character level for the CR when awarding them XPs.

I don't think so.
The only difference between NPC and PC with class levels is that NPC have less money.
But: A NPC's equipment is 100 % tailored for him. Most PCs I know have a lot of equipment they don't need during most encounters.

As an example:
My Level 16 Fighter (Shackled City Campaign) has approximately 10 Potions of Cure Light and 4-6 magic weapons. The Potions are useless in combat - 1d8+1 hp don't cut it against enemies that routinely deal 30 points per attack. I usually use only one weapon during a combat. My main weapons oOld Iron, Holy and Dragon Bane properties will be useless. The same applies to the Admantite Construct Bane and the Silver Undead Bane properties of my secondary weapons.

 

[styker]

I don´t agree with this CR system. Example: a Great Wyrm White Dragon is a CR 20, so with this system a pc 20 level would be a CR 20 too... but the dragon is a enemy to be defeated by 4 pcs, just like 4x stronger than our pc enemy 20...
In my group creatures just with class levels I give them CR = LEVEL - 2, to balance this difference.

 

[werk]

No CR. The other PCs are not the challenges they have been tasked with overcoming. Intraparty fighting is simply a failure in the decision making process.

[cheer]

No XP = No CR.

Genius!

 

[Nail]

But: A NPC's equipment is 100 % tailored for him. Most PCs I know have a lot of equipment they don't need during most encounters.

That's highly DM-dependent.

i.e., "Don't count on it, buddy. NPC equipment can suck too."