How do you determine what CR monster equals a level 7 sorcerer, cleric, fighter, or rogue? I also have a 6th level druid in the party. Would this be a CR 3 or 4? I'm looking at the Gargoyle (CR 4) as an option. I also looked at some CR 4 devils and demons, but to me they seemed to powerful for a single 7th level character.
I'm asking this question due to the party playing with a Deck of Many Actions (Third party game designed card deck) next game. This deck is customized by me to include a card that has the chosen person drawing the card in a fight to the death with a monster. The person figting the monster can not have any help from anyone.
If these are NPC's the CR is equal to PC class level -1.
For NPC's with NPC class levels the CR is equal to NPC class level -2.
Example. A level 10 fighter is a CR 9, and a level 11 warrior is a CR 9.
As for what is a good fight for a level X PC that depends on the PC. If you wish to not count what he is playing and just go by levels then he should probably fight something with a CR equal to his level. At worse one CR below his level.
A PC of level 7 would at least be a CR 8. That assume a 20 point buy at least, and that he is at WBL.
Hmm, it seems an equal level or even 1-2 levels below a characters CR is too powerful a fight for my PCa when looking at the monsters stats.
...but if the character in question has PC wbl, cr +1. So level 10 fighter with level 10 character wealth = CR 10.
....from your second post though, I think this is not the question you need to be asking. Maybe you ought to tell us a little more about what specifically the situation is, and we could offer advice from there.
A party of adventurers that are each level 3 should steamroll a CR1 encounter, so I'm not sure why you're thinking otherwise, unless there is something at work that I'm not considering.
Well, if you follow the old 3.5 guidelines, a CR corresponds to 1/4 the resources of a 4-5 players party of that level. As such, a CR 7 creature takes 1/4 of the resources from a 7th level party formed by 4 PCs to defeat. If you need a good creature for a 1 on 1 fight then you must use a creature with a CR roughly 2 points lower than the PC's class level. So, a CR 1 creature (like a Gnoll or a Ghoul) is a good opponent for a 3rd level dwarf fighter if you want the fighter to expend approximately 1/2 his resources to defeat it.
Regardless of the monster's statistics, you should be particularly careful about damage reductions and the likes. A CR 3 Wereshark can be quite a challenge for a group of 4 3rd level PCs if they have no silver weapons or magic. It's up to the DM to tweak the numbers.
Hmm, it seems an equal level or even 1-2 levels below a characters CR is too powerful a fight for my PCa when looking at the monsters stats.
Most PC's can defeat an opponent that is 2 below their level easily. Now when it gets into the range of level being only one below to one above the character level then it is challenging(the PC might lose).
The question is how difficult do you want it to be. Do you want them to have a more of a 10% chance to lose, or a 50% chance to lose?
The other question is will you be taking the specific character into account or will you go strictly by the character's level without regard to how well it is built?
Here is the problem with what to take into account. See my first post, last paragraph for more details; the players have to randomly choose the "death card" in order to fight the monster one on one to the death. Do I really want or need to spend the time picking out five different monster when its a 1 in 56 chance of them drawing that card? I want the fight to be hard but not difficult or epic in its challenge rating.
If the characters are all CR 7, just pick a monster of CR 4 or so if you want a decent fight. CR 3 will likely be an easy fight, while CR 5 will be a fairly hard fight.
Keep in mind that some characters stand no chance one-on-one against certain opponents. For instance, many characters have little-to-no-ability against swarms or incorporeal creatures.
I wouldn't design these potential randomly-drawn encounters in advance. Just pick something when and if it happens. Your players will likely allow you enough time for that, considering its one card out of a 56-card deck :)
ok... if they draw from the deck of many things (or something like it) then it's their own fault if they die. I wouldn't worry about it at all. Hell I'd just kill them with an ancient red wyrm. I mean what are the odds that an ancient artifact is going to send you up against some wussy monster anyway?
In addition, even the best 1 on 1 combat ever is fun only for 2 people: you and the pc involved. Much better to end it quickly with a impossible cr that can one-shot them so you can get on with the game.
Here is the problem with what to take into account. See my first post, last paragraph for more details; the players have to randomly choose the "death card" in order to fight the monster one on one to the death. Do I really want or need to spend the time picking out five different monster when its a 1 in 56 chance of them drawing that card? I want the fight to be hard but not difficult or epic in its challenge rating.
What do you consider to be hard vs epic?
Could you provide an example, and once again:
"The other question is will you be taking the specific character into account or will you go strictly by the character's level without regard to how well it is built?"
I know what the deck says, but that does not matter if you want to help them out.
So will you just pick random CR X monster or will say character Y can't win even though the CR is low and choose something different.
I will take it a step further. Do you want to ensure an autowin(99%) chance. That is not a bad thing. I am mostly asking so we can help you.
Here is the problem with what to take into account. See my first post, last paragraph for more details; the players have to randomly choose the "death card" in order to fight the monster one on one to the death. Do I really want or need to spend the time picking out five different monster when its a 1 in 56 chance of them drawing that card? I want the fight to be hard but not difficult or epic in its challenge rating.What do you consider to be hard vs epic?
I CONSIDER HARD AT -1 TO THE CHARACTERS CURRENT LEVEL AND EPIC = TO A CHARACTERS LEVEL. EPIC TO ME MEANS THEIR IS ONLY SAY 20 PERCENT CHANCE THEY WILL SURVIVE.Could you provide an example, and once again:
I THINK A DIFFICULT FIGHT IS TYPICALLY -2 LEVELS FROM THE CHARACTER'S LEVEL. EX: GARGOYLE. (CR 4) AND ONLY EVIL ALIGNED.
HARD: EX: HALA DEMON (CR 4) FLAME DRAKE (CR 5), GRIME STALKER (CR 5)"The other question is will you be taking the specific character into account or will you go strictly by the character's level without regard to how well it is built?"
MAINLY THE CHARACTER'S LEVEL AS A GUIDE. I AM LOOKING CLOSELY THOUGH AT THE MONSTERS ATTACK, DAMAGE, SPECIAL ABILITIES. THIS IS WHY I FEEL SOME CR 4 MONSTERS ARE STILL BEYOND DIFFICULT AND NOW A HARD CHALLENGE. IT'S DUE TO THEIR ATTACK, DAMAGE, NUMBER OF ATTACKS, AND SPECIAL ABILITIES.I know what the deck says, but that does not matter if you want to help them out.
So will you just pick random CR X monster or will say character Y can't win even though the CR is low and choose something different.
THIS IS IMPORTANT!!! I WANT ABOUT SAY 50 PERCENT CHANCE TO WIN, BECAUSE IF THE CHARACTER WINS THEN THEY GAIN A LEVEL. I WANT TO PICK SAY 2-3 CHOICES OF MONSTERS IN ORDER TO HAVE A GOOD FIT FOR EACH GAMER.I will take it a step further. Do you want to ensure an autowin(99%) chance. That is not a bad thing. I am mostly asking so we can help you.
50% CHANCE TO WIN (SEE ABOVE).
EXCELLENT QUESTIONS.
Here is the problem with what to take into account. See my first post, last paragraph for more details; the players have to randomly choose the "death card" in order to fight the monster one on one to the death. Do I really want or need to spend the time picking out five different monster when its a 1 in 56 chance of them drawing that card? I want the fight to be hard but not difficult or epic in its challenge rating.What do you consider to be hard vs epic?
I CONSIDER HARD AT -1 TO THE CHARACTERS CURRENT LEVEL AND EPIC = TO A CHARACTERS LEVEL. EPIC TO ME MEANS THEIR IS ONLY SAY 20 PERCENT CHANCE THEY WILL SURVIVE.Could you provide an example, and once again:
I THINK A DIFFICULT FIGHT IS TYPICALLY -2 LEVELS FROM THE CHARACTER'S LEVEL. EX: GARGOYLE. (CR 4) AND ONLY EVIL ALIGNED.
HARD: EX: HALA DEMON (CR 4) FLAME DRAKE (CR 5), GRIME STALKER (CR 5)"The other question is will you be taking the specific character into account or will you go strictly by the character's level without regard to how well it is built?"
MAINLY THE CHARACTER'S LEVEL AS A GUIDE. I AM LOOKING CLOSELY THOUGH AT THE MONSTERS ATTACK, DAMAGE, SPECIAL ABILITIES. THIS IS WHY I FEEL SOME CR 4 MONSTERS ARE STILL BEYOND DIFFICULT AND NOW A HARD CHALLENGE. IT'S DUE TO THEIR ATTACK, DAMAGE, NUMBER OF ATTACKS, AND SPECIAL ABILITIES.I know what the deck says, but that does not matter if you want to help them out.
So will you just pick random CR X monster or will say character Y can't win even though the CR is low and choose something different.
THIS IS IMPORTANT!!! I WANT ABOUT SAY 50 PERCENT CHANCE TO WIN, BECAUSE IF THE CHARACTER WINS THEN THEY GAIN A LEVEL. I WANT TO PICK SAY 2-3 CHOICES OF MONSTERS IN ORDER TO HAVE A GOOD FIT FOR EACH GAMER.I will take it a step further. Do you want to ensure an autowin(99%) chance. That is not a bad thing. I am mostly asking so we can help you.
50% CHANCE TO WIN (SEE ABOVE).
EXCELLENT QUESTIONS.
Next question:
Do you have a rough estimate of the PC's saves, AC, attacks, damage, and so on so we can match a monster up against him/her. If it is a caster then what spells does it have and what class is it?
CLERIC (7TH) ATTACK/DAMAGE SAVES (F/R/W) SPELLS
+5/D8 7/4/10 DOMAINS Good/Animal (sub-domain:feather)
HP: 47 Channel 3D6, Holy Smith, Blessing of Fervor,
AC: 22/17 (t) /16 Terrible Remorse, Prayer, Hold person,
Sanctuary, Prot from Evil
SORCERER (7th)+5/1D8 6/5/6 FEATS: Augment Summoning, Spell Focus,
Spell penetration, Still Spell, Silent Spell.
HP: 52 SPELLS:Magic Missile, Haste, Summon Monster
AC: 16/12(t)/14 III, Dispel Magic, Mirror Image, Stone Call,
Glitter Dust, Invisibility, Flaming Sphere
DRUID (6th) +7/D6+4 8/5/8 SPELLS: Waard of the Season. Spiked Pit,
HP: 58 Resinous Skin, Call Lightening, Gust of Wind,
AC:20/14/16 Frigid Touch, Flame Blade Entangle
FIGHTER (7th) +15/10/1D6+9 8/4/3 FEATS:Dodge, Mobility, Power Attack, Step up
HP: 69
AC:22/13(touch/19 (ff)
ROGUE: (7th) +9/ 1D6+4 6/12/5 FEATS: Dodge, Fast Learner, Improvisation,
HP:49 Point Blank, Precise Shot, Weapon Finesse
AC:18/12(t)/17(ff)