Alas I can't get me head around calculating total XP and combining CR. I've read the rules multiple times so hear goes my situation;
I have 3 5th level PCs & 2 6th level PCs in the party.
If I decide to give them an epic level encounter with 2 CR 5 winter wolves 1,600 XP what is:
the CR level of the encounter,
total XP,
and XP per 5 players?
What if I had an encounter with 4 Dark Creepers CR 2, XP 600 each?
the CR level of the encounter (8)
total XP, (2,400)
and XP per 5 players? (480)
In the first case, the CR of the encounter is 7 (total XP 3200 which is the same XP as for 1 CR7 creature). In the second case, it's CR6 (total XP 2400 as you calculated, which is the same as 1 CR6 creature). XP per player is always just the total divided by the size of the party.
The guideline for 3.5 used to be to add 2 to the CR every time you doubled the number of creatures (so in your second example, CR2, +2 for doubling to 2 creatures, +2 again for doubling to 4). The way the XP table is built, the same mostly holds true for Pathfinder, but looking to see what CR matches the total XP value is more helpful for mixed encounters.
Edited to add: I wouldn't rate either of those as epic encounters for the party you describe, though they would both be challenging.
why isn't it CR 10 in the first example= CR5+CR5=CR10 for 2 Winter Wolves?
Because that's not how it's done.
Two Winter Wolves are easier than a real CR 10 creature like say a Fire Giant or a 9-headed Pyrohydra
Don't believe it? Throw one of those against your group and see how they do. Then compare to the fight with the two Winter Wolves.
How you calculate it is all in the Gamemastering Section
Alas I can't get me head around calculating total XP and combining CR. I've read the rules multiple times so hear goes my situation;
I have 3 5th level PCs & 2 6th level PCs in the party.
This would be an Average Party Level of 5 (5.4 exact). This number is just a reference, so you know what sort of threat the party poses to their foes.
If I decide to give them an epic level encounter with 2 CR 5 winter wolves 1,600 XP what is:
the CR level of the encounter,
The equivalent CR of the encounter is 7 (a hard encounter for a party of 5th level characters). This number is again just for reference, so you know whether an encounter should be difficult or not.
total XP,
3,200
and XP per 5 players?
640
What if I had an encounter with 4 Dark Creepers CR 2, XP 600 each?
the CR level of the encounter (8)
The equivalent CR would be 6, a challenging fight for a party of 5th level characters.
total XP, (2,400)
That is correct.
and XP per 5 players? (480)
You've got it.
CR doesn't work like that.
2 creatures of the same CR are a challenge equal to their (individual) CR +2.
That system by the way continues like that.
Doubling the number of critters = +2 CR1 CR 2 creature = CR 2 (obviously)
2 CR 2 creatues = CR 4
4 CR 2 creatues = CR 6
8 ... = CR 8
etc.
It's a logarithmic calculation.
I believe it's [CR Modifier] = 2.88539 log([# Creatures]) and round up/down as you see fit. In the CRB, you can see it's done for you, but if you ever want to get nit-picky:
1 creature: CR +0.00
2 creatures: CR +2.00
3 creatures: CR +3.17
4 creatures: CR +4.00
5 creatures: CR +4.64
6 creatures: CR +5.17
etc...
The same rule applies to your party as well based on a party of 4. So [APL Modifier] = 2.88539 log([# PCs]/4)
It's only math, so YMMV.
There is a light bulb glowing above my head now. I have the calculating XP down now. Pretty easy just add up the monster'x XP and divide by number of players.
To get the CR of an encounter add up the XP of all the creatures/monsters/NPC NOT the CR.
This is a helpful thread to a noob GM like me... but I have further questions.
I am Gming out a Solo adventure with my boyfriend - he is playing a Witch who has a goblin barbarian as a GMPC so she isn't totally vunerable.
Combining monsters for fun/interesting challenges is confusing me at this level. For instance, how would the CR calculation work for 2 giant maggots? CR 1/2 ?
2 + 1/2 = 3 ? Round down to 2?
CR 2 is still pretty challenging for 2 characters, yes?
What if I wanted to mix it up and have him face 1 giant fly (CR1) and 1 giant maggot (CR 1/2)?
1 + 1/2 + 2 = 3 1/2? Round down to 3?
Just wondering how the math works for combining monsters with CR<1, as I will have to use many at the lower level or risk killing off my player. If anyone has advice for these types of build please chime in. Thanks guys.
Combining monsters for fun/interesting challenges is confusing me at this level. For instance, how would the CR calculation work for 2 giant maggots? CR 1/2 ?
That is understandable, since for CRs below 1, the calculation isn't the same as for CRs of 1 and higher.
Below 1, you simply add the CRs together directly. So, 2 CR 1/2 creatures add up to a CR 1 encounter.
The easiest way to determine encounter CR is to simply add up the XP values of the creatures involved, and then comparing that to the XP-chart; "Table: Experience Point Awards" on this page.
What if I wanted to mix it up and have him face 1 giant fly (CR1) and 1 giant maggot (CR 1/2)?
Using the method above, this would be 400 XP + 200 XP, for a total of 600 XP. By comparing 600 XP to the chart, we find it's exactly equal to the XP value of a CR 2 creature. That means the encounter as a whole is a CR 2 encounter.
Fantastic explanation! Thanks so much!
My friend who GM's my regular group told me how quick and helpful the users on this board are, and he was right.
Thanks so much.