The CR level is calculated based on the average party level. So 4 lv 1 pc's average level is 1 (1x4/4). Therefore, you're looking for CR 1 encounters. When they all get to level 2, you're looking at CR 2 encounters (2x4/4).
For loot, there's usually comments on the stat block of the existing creature as to the type of loot it has (minor treasure roll, for example), which is in the GM Guide under the section Treasure. Otherwise, there's a table there that says how to calculate a treasure hoard based on the CR of the encounter (or, average party level, if you like).
For magic items, I usually figure the retail value of the item and add that to the total value of the treasure to figure out its total worth. So if there's 100gp and a magic item worth 2500gp, then the total value of the hoard is 2600gp.
I don't have a goblin dog's stats, but I would use the stats for a Dire Rat just for convenience. Or simply find another monster stat block that is the CR that you want and use those stats as a starting point.
Correct, except that you always round down with PF BB. So CR 1. Although I'd go with 1 & 2 for that type of mixed party because I'd want some challenge for all players. Keep in mind that's for an average encounter. If you want a climatic battle you'll want to go 1 or possibly 2 cr higher so in your example like CR 3 or (if you're really trying to test the mettle of the players) CR 4. But you'll have to be careful there because things like damage reduction (hardness, for example) could make it too tough for a party.
That being said, I'm a fan of placing the occasional total party kill (TPK) encounter to force the players to come up with unconventional solutions (since outright battle becomes impractical). However, that's going to depend on your group and what they like to do. If you do that, make sure that they have a way out before it gets out of hand in case they do try to fight...
Obstacles and terrain difficulties that only affect the PCs can add to the difficulty so at the discretion of the GM they may increase the CR of the encounter.
I don't know if they even have cover in the BB but in the core rule book (CRB) of the regular game here's a short summary: if these obstacles give the goblin shooter partial cover (cover only half or less of their body) then they grant a +2 AC bonus and a +1 to Ref saves. If they give full cover (more than half the body) then they grant a +4 AC bonus and +2 to Ref saves.
Experience is per encounter, so if the party meets 3 goblins (a CR 1 challenge) and survives the encounter they would be awarded the experience for defeating this encounter, or 400 experience. Then in the next encounter they meet a goblin on a goblin dog, that then is a separate encounter with its own experience total to be awarded if/when the PCs survive that encounter.
CR and encounter building is a pretty loose thing. Some players and their characters will have a problem with a normal fight and others need to have much harder fights to be any kind of challenge. As the GM, you want to start slow and get a feel for things.
If you send three goblins against the PCs and they kill the goblins in two turns and the PCs aren't even scratched by the fight, maybe try four goblins next time, then maybe four but with a stronger boss type one (so three CR 1s and a CR 2 or even 3).
It is also good to play with environment. An archer on a watchtower is a good choice; it is harder for the PCs to get to it. If he's standing behind some cover to fire, you would give him +2 AC if it is up to half his body, or +4 AC if it covers more than half.
The miss chance comes from it being hard to see the target (like if it is dark or raining heavily) while an increase in AC comes from more of the target being covered up (wooden blockades, firing from a window).
If the fight is too easy, you can also have a goblin patrol appear in the middle. Say you have 2 goblins with swords and 1 with a bow, like you said. The party makes quick work of the two goblins on the ground, you can have another two or three goblins walk in to the room and join the fight. This makes things feel exciting and fast moving. It is also fun to challenge your players tactically.
Just remember, the CR system is a recommendation. It is a guideline for determining a rough estimate of how hard a fight will be for a party. Your job as GM is to make a fun and exciting game; it is not to kill the PC with impossible fights.
Good Luck!
I just want to be sure that it's clear I was not advocating TPK's. I was suggesting that you can up the tension and force the players to confront a situation with solutions other than combat by creating an impossible situation to win in combat. It sounds like you're building really solid encounters, especially since you're figuring in cover and tactics for the encounter.
The monsters stats in ITEMS equipment - can the pc loot them ? or only treasure ?
That's up to you as the GM. In my games, the players generally ignore anything that isn't real valuable. So they'll leave the short sword the goblin was carrying but scoop up any gp he had.
What I do is when I build my encounters, I make a treasure note (with any relevant rolls pre-done) that summarizes everything that they find in an itemized list. Then, when the encounter is over, I just read it off.
That's cool. I have a somewhat consistent game with my 10-year-old. Lots of fun. For treasures, I've also made up "historical" items of worth. For example, an ancient sword named Excalibur. It's useless as a weapon and nobody who isn't a collector will pay more than 10gp for it, but if the pc's can find the right buyer (which can be another interesting quest) it's worth thousands. In my case, I had the collector only interested in the sword if the pc's can find the matching shield to make a set.
|
Some creatures don't have loot and its normal. I mean a dog has no reason to have items.
Some creatures have npc loot, others have standard , some have double or even triple standard monster loot. Without counting stuffs that you should consider like giving a boss character WBL.
The only thing to retain from all this, yeah there is a loot system but as the DM you can do whatever you want, as long as you make sure, that your players can keep up with the challenges and appropriate wealth.