I understand the calculation of average party level. But it seems to me that most monsters are designed around a group of 4 players. With the new rules the encounters I have created are easily handled by my players. Am I missing something?
I'm considering using the sum of the character levels divided by 4 as the APL.
Thanks
FF
I understand the calculation of average party level. But it seems to me that most monsters are designed around a group of 4 players. With the new rules the encounters I have created are easily handled by my players. Am I missing something?
No, probably not. An encounter equal to the party's APL should be fairly easy. Under the 3.5 definition, a party should be able to handle about 4 encounters like that, on average, before needing to rest.
However, characters have gotten a bit stronger in Pathfinder, and that can make the CR's of the monsters a bit off. That should be solved with the forthcoming Pathfinder Bestiary, which will update the monsters, and their CR's. But meanwhile things shouldn't be that far off.
I'm considering using the sum of the character levels divided by 4 as the APL.
That's how I do it - how else?
Or do you mean use that, even if more than 4 characters? That wouldn't be the way to do it I don't think. Probably should add +1 for every two additional characters.
That's how I do it - how else?
Or do you mean use that, even if more than 4 characters? That wouldn't be the way to do it I don't think. Probably should add +1 for every two additional characters.
Well, the issue I had was 6 level 6 characters so I came up with CR 8 encounter, I was expecting it to be a challenging encounter, but they totally crushed it with minimal tactics.
For the encounter, I selected 6 CR 2 creatures and a CR 5 creature from the 3.5 MM. I also realized after the session that the party had 2 4th level cohorts. In reflection, that would bring the APL down, and my instincts say to increase the ECL of the encounter to compensate.
FF
Well, the issue I had was 6 level 6 characters so I came up with CR 8 encounter, I was expecting it to be a challenging encounter, but they totally crushed it with minimal tactics.
For the encounter, I selected 6 CR 2 creatures and a CR 5 creature from the 3.5 MM. I also realized after the session that the party had 2 4th level cohorts. In reflection, that would bring the APL down, and my instincts say to increase the ECL of the encounter to compensate.
FF
Hmm. Well first do not add in the cohorts - their contribution is technically included in the CR/APL of their leader.
I'd have called your group APL 7 (for having 2 "extra" members). So an 8 encounter should have been fairly easy, using up a bit more than 1/4 of their resources (high level spells, etc.)
The exact mix you used (lots of low level, one mid level) tends to be best with ambush or other advantageous tactics, so those CR 2's can actually get to attack, and hopefully won't be clumped to be hit by a fireball/slow/glitterdust, etc. Also separating them let's the CR 5 do some damage before he's ganged up on.
If you want a challenging encounter though, aim for at 2-3 higher, though i wouldn't throw any individual creature more than 2 CR higher than the actual average. That would mean going for a 9 or 10 (2-3 higher than 7), but a max of a CR 8 (2 higher than actual average of 6). So 2 8's (10), an 8 and a 6 (9), or something like a CR 8 and 6 CR 3's.
For APL encounters, the challenge is in dealing with the multiple encounters.