I've seen a number of threads recently related to totally new DMs or existing DMs who are new to Pathfinder. Even one of my own players recently decided to take the plunge into DM.
One of the biggest things that had been giving them trouble was figuring out how to balance encounters properly. After looking at the problem, I put together an Excel 2007-based "encounter calculator" that uses the "XP-Bucket" approach from the PfRPG Core Rulebook.
This past Saturday, the results of using it got put to the test for the first time, and I'm happy to say that the difficulty of all the encounters was spot-on for our party level (APL 2). Since Newbie DM™ found it to be helpful, I figured that others might as well. I've started using it to plan out encounters for our much higher-level regular campaign (APL 13) and it seems to work equally well there too.
If any of you would like to give it a try, you can download it from the link below:
http://home.worldsunknown.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/PfRPG-Encounter-Ca lculator.xlsx
I've included an example encounter to show how to fill things out. For your own purposes, I've found it easiest to input the party on the Encounter Template and then simply make multiple copies of that sheet for individual encounters. If there are any bugs or suggestions, please let me know either here, or on my site: http://home.worldsunknown.com/
Enjoy!
Downloaded! Thank you for sharing.
You're quite welcome. I hope you find it handy. :)
I quite like this tool. :) Thanks^^
I do, however, disagree with how it decides xp for multiple monsters.
The tool gives XP according to the CR rules for multiple monsters (eg. 2 monsters = cr + 2), but AFAIK one should count xp per monster (that's how I understand the "awarding experience" rules at least).
For most monsters this isn't an issue, but it can change some if you have many cr 1/3 monsters for example.
I'm not sure what is common practice, but I never give XP based on the encounter CR, but rather for each defeated monster.
Thanks, glad you like it!
As far as the XP goes, unless I've misread something, it conforms to the Gamemastering Rules: http://paizo.com/PRD/gamemastering.html
If you look at the tables for CR Equivalencies and XP rewards, you will find pretty much a direct correlation between the amount of XP equaling the sum for all the creatures defeated:
One CR 1/8 = 50xp
Two CR 1/8 = 100xp
CR 1/8 +2 = CR 1/4
One CR 1/4 = 100xp
Now the method in that chapter will tend to breakdown a bit if you have a high number of weak creatures involved, but that appears to be by design. I guess we could ask about this up in the Rules Question forum if need be.
http://home.worldsunknown.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Encounter-Calculat or-2003.xls
Enjoy.
When I click there, it says that the site isn't sure what I'm looking for and the file isn't found. I would love this in Excel 2003.
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It looks like the original site hosting the file is down. I've set up a temporary so folks can still have access to this fantastic tool.
- Excel 2003 version
- Excel 2007 version
Note, when you visit the link, you have to do a file->download to download the actual spreadsheet
Is Google messing them up, or is there actually a problem with the links? I'm getting an error message "Sorry, we are unable to generate a view of the document at this time. Please try again later."
Oh wow, I didn't realize this thread was still going until I saw it in the Focus list. I changed my web hosting to a different provider this year and also decided simply using my MediaWiki site (instead of a separate Word Press site) made more sense. Hence, broken links in older posts. However, I always try to keep a list of important links like this in my profile.
Here's the last revision of the Encounter Calculator:
http://wiki.worldsunknown.com/wiki/File:Encounter-Calculator.xls
In addition, there are a number of other downloads that might be useful. I keep them all filed in the following 'Tools' category:
http://wiki.worldsunknown.com/wiki/Category:Tools