The DMG only gives a little table shich seems to assume that only encounters with 1 type of monster, or 2 monsters with different CRs, are allowed. Beyond this, how exactly is EL computed?
Often, tossing a bunch of creatures with variable CRs into one encounter is either pointless (with the weaker ones acting as cannon fodder) or needlessly complicated. Generally, if I'm trying to make an encounter with a variety of creatures, I'll do something like this:
I want an EL 16 Encounter. That can be one creature of CR 15-17, Two CR 14s, etc. I go with 2 CR 14s. I decide to leave one of them as a CR 14 as a "Boss", and take the other one and treat him as his own subgroup with his own EL. An EL 14 Encounter can be one 13-15, two 12s, and so on. 7 to 9 CR 8 creatures make for an EL 14 Encounter. So one CR 14 and Eight CR 8 creatures should be approximately EL 16.
The experience table says that (before being divided amongst the Party) a group of 14th level characters would get 8,400 for a single CR 16 creature, and 4,200 for the CR 14 plus 8*525 (or 4,200) for the Eight CR 8s. My math seems to add up.
Now, as to whether it's an equivalent challenge... that depends entirely on what you're putting into the encounter, what the circumstances are, and how intelligently you run the creatures. Eight level 8 wizards opening up by firing off a wave of Maximized Magic Missiles, for example, are going to deal 160 damage, easily enough to drop the typical 14th level character. In other words, think about it and ask yourself "could a group of characters of this level reasonably defeat these challenges?"
Eight level 8 wizards opening up by firing off a wave of Maximized Magic Missiles, for example, are going to deal 160 damage, easily enough to drop the typical 14th level character.
Heck, that'll drop the PC wizard AND the rogue. And assuming these 8 wizards had prepared for the combat by casting greater invisibility or mirror image, the only one they'll have to worry about is the extremely pissed off cleric (as they'll take care of the fighter on the first initiative round). Can you say flame strike? (And that's not even taking into account the actual 'boss' of this supposed encounter)
The DMG only gives a little table shich seems to assume that only encounters with 1 type of monster, or 2 monsters with different CRs, are allowed. Beyond this, how exactly is EL computed?Often, tossing a bunch of creatures with variable CRs into one encounter is either pointless (with the weaker ones acting as cannon fodder) or needlessly complicated. Generally, if I'm trying to make an encounter with a variety of creatures, I'll do something like this:
I want an EL 16 Encounter. That can be one creature of CR 15-17, Two CR 14s, etc. I go with 2 CR 14s. I decide to leave one of them as a CR 14 as a "Boss", and take the other one and treat him as his own subgroup with his own EL. An EL 14 Encounter can be one 13-15, two 12s, and so on. 7 to 9 CR 8 creatures make for an EL 14 Encounter. So one CR 14 and Eight CR 8 creatures should be approximately EL 16.
The experience table says that (before being divided amongst the Party) a group of 14th level characters would get 8,400 for a single CR 16 creature, and 4,200 for the CR 14 plus 8*525 (or 4,200) for the Eight CR 8s. My math seems to add up.
Now, as to whether it's an equivalent challenge... that depends entirely on what you're putting into the encounter, what the circumstances are, and how intelligently you run the creatures. Eight level 8 wizards opening up by firing off a wave of Maximized Magic Missiles, for example, are going to deal 160 damage, easily enough to drop the typical 14th level character. In other words, think about it and ask yourself "could a group of characters of this level reasonably defeat these challenges?"
That clears a lot up for me too, that's a good way of figuring it out. I assume it still generally works better as a formula if you have less monsters overall closer to the level of the party.
What's the best approach for the situation where you have more than the standard 4 PCs, say 6-7?
The DMG only gives a little table shich seems to assume that only encounters with 1 type of monster, or 2 monsters with different CRs, are allowed. Beyond this, how exactly is EL computed?
There are a number of programs out there that will do this calculation for you and allow you to mix and match a wide verity of different CR monsters together.
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I am pretty sure you all know the LEVEL CALCULATOR from the WotC website.
I always use it if I have a couple of (different) monsters in a given encounter.
It's easy to use and the fastest way to calculate such stuff!
Oh, and Averil - you still have this nice avatar! ;)
What's the best approach for the situation where you have more than the standard 4 PCs, say 6-7?
I'd say for every two extra PCs, increase the EL by 1. No actual rules to back that up, though.
Though 42 1st level PCs still have no hope of defeating the tarrasque.