Easiest way to scale up pre-written dungeons / encounters

[Helel13]

Full disclosure this is an effort to cut down a good amount of work. I've hit a point in my AP where the party can go to a number of different areas in a region and do certain quests. These locations often have a number of paizo material already released based around them, but typically that sort of material doesn't go past lvl 8-9 and my party is around 10.

What are some ways to scale up pre-written material for a higher level party without having to look up different monsters or create totally new NPCs? I was thinking templates and adding more enemies to shore up the CR would be a way, but I'd like to here other opinions. Thanks!

[GM Rednal]

The most basic method of scaling things up is indeed adding more enemies, although this can also slow combat down to an inconvenient degree if you do it too much. Sometimes it is better to add a new monster, especially because most can be found online quite easily. You can also add more to the terrain, such as starting the enemies in cover or laying traps on the battlefield.

That said, I strongly suggest you read this guide. It's quite handy.

[SorrySleeping]

Just make up some templates that only adjust stats, give no more special abilities. +2 to all stats, +3 bab, +2 to armor ac, +1 to enchant weapon. Whatever you need.

I made a few of these for my current Wraith of the Righteous campaign I'm running since everything needs lots of help.

[Kileanna]

Giving the monsters the Advanced template is a quick and easy options. I'd probably give the bosses and single characters the advanced template and add more minions.
The Giant template is also interesting and sometimes more useful to level up a encounter because the monster will increase its size.
As a quick reference the addition of all the experience granted by the monsters in the encounter by CR should equal the experience granted by the level of the encounter you want to get.

[Balkoth]

Kileanna wrote:

Giving the monsters the Advanced template is a quick and easy options.

Yep.

Not going to solve all your problems (only raises CR by 1 roughly) but can help. Can also apply it more strongly (like just double all the numbers given from Advanced and increase CR by 2-3).