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I did some searching before I kicked this thread off, but if there is a better thread out there point me at it.
So I wanted to discuss the APL guidelines in core, and address what should modify it. I realize that APL is only a tool to help GMs build combat encounters, but I often struggle with players blowing away an encounter that should have been tough.
So, the basics,
APL = Average Party Level
3 or Less characters subtract 1 from APL
6 or More characters add 1 to APL
So here are some starting points to branch discussion from:
-Are the basics too basic? or is there some number over 6 that would be APL +2, or below 3 that would be APL -2 (ie 1 character?)
-20, 25 point characters increase APL?
-Do Leadership Cohorts, Animal Companions (vs non-scaling animal mounts) increase APL (technically a leadership cohort if treated as a party member could reduce the APL, but assuming they are a facet of the character to whom they are attached, they still really boost the action economy.)
-Experienced Players, I realize this is now a DM fine tuning adjustment, but should you boost the APL?
-Wealth By Level, if your player exceed wealth by level, ie we often build with "High Fantasy" WBL so double the normal values, is that an increase APL
With all of these questions, I think there is a bit of bracketing by level. If your APL is 1-5, then +1 APL is more significant then in a 6-10 APL range.
Anyways I've got a gut feeling on a lot of these, but I thought I would open this up and discuss first.