Alright,
I've always been a bit confused as to how to correctly adapt character class levels to monsters. This is largely due to the fact that I love creating memorable NPC's for my groups to work/affiliate with or go up against.
So, I was wondering if someone could help clarify some issues I have with RoTR 4. For instance, most of the stone giants CR's reflect the stone giant CR + their respective class levels, except for Conna, who has 6 levels of sorceror and is CR 12.
Second: the Harpy monks. They have 6 levels of Monk and CR 7, whereasthe Harpy Fighters in the MM have 7 class levels and CR 11 (original harpy 4 CR + 7 class levels)
Just want to know if these Challenge Ratings (for Conna and the Harpy Monks) reflect some mechanic that I am missing, or the author just feels that their challenge ratings need to be adjusted due to circumstances.
That's all!
Thanks,
Wylie
Wylie, I believe the rule is that class levels related to a monster's threat niche (e.g., fighter for a giant-type that relies on brute strength and hp; sorcerer for a rakshasa, which relies on spellcasting ability, etc.) add to the base CR on a 1:1 basis. All unrelated class levels (e.g. a certain giant's spellcasting class, etc.) only add to the CR on a 1:2 basis.
I haven't taken the time to check the particular beasties you site, but that's the rule to my understaning....
Hope that helps!
The SRD provides rules for this stuff. Darkbard is correct in that it varies according to whether they're considered associated class levels or not. It's an interesting read and might help you out.
Alright, thanks a lot!
This is exactly what I was looking for!