D&D 5E (2014) Your CR limit for an average 1st level party?

[Li Shenron]

Using the original 5e 2014 rules, what would you say is the highest CR of a monster that you would use comfortably (meaning, you would have reasonable confidence that it will be defeated and wouldn't cause permanent PC deaths, without purposefully downplaying it) assuming that:

• the party is 4 characters of assorted abilities, but all combat-capable
• players of average experience, neither beginners nor minmaxers
• the monster is encountered alone
• it is an end-of-day encounter, preceded by smaller ones that have consumed some party resources, but they also had short rests

My instinct says CR3 but I wonder if I am being too pessimistic...

 

[Reynard]

I think CR 3 is a good top level difficulty for level 1 characters, but it is not cut and dry. The big thing about level 1 characters is their squishiness. So a CR 3 that hits very hard with one attack is more likely to cause a TPK than one that has a few weaker attacks to spread around. Level 1 characters have decent saves they are proficient in, but CR 3 creatures with area effects can definitely knock out a whole group. Really, at level 1, swinginess is the biggest issue, where there is not much room to correct. Even just the extra HP for level 2 gives the PCs a chance to decide they are in over their heads, to change tactics, or to otherwise adjust to the fight on the fly.

 

[DEFCON 1]

In addition... with a 4 PC group, an attack that begins with going after the healer full force will be a much harder and probably deadlier fight than one where the monster and tank square off (and the healer can remain upright to cast healing spells as needed.)

 

[AlViking]

Depends on specifics and preferences but CR 2 or 3 higher sounds about right to me. Normal caveat that solos almost never work well but speaking from first-hand experience a first level party can see a lot of 1 hit deaths where the PC is taken to the negative of their HP with even a CR 3 monster.

 

[aco175]

Didn't Icespire Peak send first level PCs against a manticore? I seem to recall this was a bit difficult for most. Same for spiders or shadows that deal something more than just damage. A CR2 ogre is about the most I tend to send their way. It might still be a one-hit squish, but then I killed someone with a crit from a goblin that dealt 12 points of damage so I'll never know.

 

[THEMNGMNT]

Same as above. CR 2 ogre is the upper limit for 1st level characters.

 

[Marc17]

CR's not a limiter. It can be any CR so long as the movement is such that they can pick up their one shotted dying party member and run without out it catching up to them.

 

[el-remmen]

A monster they can't avoid? Probably CR 2.

A monster that has been telegraphed and they have a chance to avoid or parley with? No limit really.

 

[Cergorach]

Our current party started as three 1st level characters (5.5e) and they won against two bugbears that housed an Intelect Devourer (Brain Puppy) each. Their synergy is amazing though and they had quite a bit of luck! The only reason they encountered that as a 1st level character is that they are in an Edge of Tomorrow situation (they die, the day resets itself).

 

[Stalker0]

My gut was CR2. The trick is the lower the party, the tighter the gap, as they just have less resources to deal with swings and their hps are incredibly low....one good criit is all it takes to completely turn the fight against them.

At levels 2-4 the cap widens a bit, and at level 5 it widens a LOT more, as 5th level characters get a noticable boost in power, versatility, and durability. But below level 5, the whims of luck and the dice are heavy factors, so if your goal is to have a very comfortable chance of no deaths, you have to keep things tight.