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Next Saturday is typically game day for me. Though, for this particular campaign, I'm not participating. So, instead of sitting around doing nothing, I figured I'd run a couple encounters. But, in thinking about this, I wondered:
Does the CR system assume the players made characters with the 15 point-buy method, or 20? Also, do I, or can I, count 20 (or 25, whatever the case may be) as APL+1?
The CR system assumes characters are made with 15 points. 20 is probably not APL+1, but 25 probably is.
15 point buy is called standard, but they use 20 in pathfinder society. The actual default method assumed is 4d6 drop the lowest, which statistically is closer to 20 then 15.
25 or 20 point buy doesn't do anything for the APL if your group is a 4-5 person party. You still design encounters for a 25 point buy group as you do for 10 point buy characters. The point buy adjusts the "fantasy" level. . . which most people interpret to mean harder or easier. This is a misnomer because "harder and easier" is relative to how the GM wants to structure the game.
The standard encounter for a party is "challenging" or APL + 1 = CR anyway. That's the way it was in 3.X -- except "challenging" was CR = APL. PF buffed PCs significantly over 3.5, so I'd recommend most encounters being APL + 1.
Thanks everyone!
Just remember its a guide. I have a game with a bunch of experienced players and a very well built party. APL+2 is a moderate fight for them, and they can/have downed a CR 11 with an APL 7.
also if the encounter is a single monster, encounter will be easier, and if it is a bunch of small monsters, it may also be easier due to AOE spells.
Its all a learning tounchy feely process to get the encounters right. And dont worry, because you can change things on the fly, you are the GM :)