First time DM in ROW needs advice (no spoiler)

[Ricky Tick]

So... this is my first time DMing a Pathfinder adventure (but I've played in many). My question revolves around the stats in the book. Some of the monsters are different then the sources they say they are found. I've noticed this once or twice already (2 different stats for Giant Weasels, 2x Reindeer Animal Companions, etc.). Without saying the monster out loud, I'm specifically looking at the monster on pg 22 of the 3rd book. It has the stats listed and the source you can use for the monster. Looking at the book and the source, they are slightly different. It isn't just one thing, and there isn't any listed magic items, boons, or negatives the monster has. The one in the book has a lower CR, but nearly the same stats overall and boosted in some stats on others with only one or two things lower. Which should I use against the party. Which might actually be more deadly. I want them to feel the danger but I don't want to kill them right off in the same way I don't want them to blow past an enemy that doesn't pose much of a threat to them. I could just use a second opinion.

[Java Man]

There is a forum dedicated to each AP, you'll likely get some good info there.

[Mysterious Stranger]

Keep in mind a couple of things. The stats in the bestiaries represent the average creature of its type. It is perfectly fine to have some variance in specific creatures. Second the CR rating is a very crude method, and its main purpose is to figure out how much XP to give out. The strength of a party can vary greatly so saying this creature will be a challenge for an x level party is at best a crude measure. Even when two parties are equally optimized they may not be equal against all challenges. A party consisting of a paladin, a cleric of Sarenrae with the Sun and Glory domain, and a ranger with favored enemy undead is going to easily handle an undead encounter that might end with a TPK for party focused on intrigue.

Look at the stats of the monster and compare it to your party and figure out if the encounter is going to be too hard or to easy and adjust it appropriately.

[SheepishEidolon]

You can find the specific forum for Reign of Winter here. Answers might be slow there, but it contains a lot of contributions from other GMs.

The monster in book 3, page 22 is supposed to be run as written there. Appearantly Paizo made some balancing changes: The creature is threatening in both versions, but the new version has significantly reduced damage, giving players more time to think.

From what I've been reading, Reign of Winter is rough sometimes. That's ok if everyone knows about it - so I'd announce that before starting the campaign. If encounters are consistently too difficult or too easy for the group, you can still tweak numbers or talk with your players about a solution.

[TxSam88]

don't worry if certain monster stats differ from source to source, as long as they reflect the same monster type you should be ok.

I recommend you find and use the Combat Manager program (it's available on all platforms, but the iOS tends to be unstable, Windows tend to be very stable).

it has a library of monsters in it, and a great way of tracking combat.

the monsters will vary somewhat from the APs, but are close enough

[Ricky Tick]

Thank you everyone for not only the great advice but also the quick response time. I appreciate the help from everyone and will take it into account. I figured it might be something like that for stat changes, but also while it's my first time running Pathfinder, I would rather be safe than sorry before whipping it at my players. We have started the game and we did have a good discussion beforehand (I did quote one of these forums that quoted book 1 as being "an adventurer meatgrinder"). In fact, one player died last session, being our only death so far. I just wanted to make the experience as best as I could so I really appreciate you all coming on to help me do so!

[Warped Savant]

Warning for Reign of Winter:
From my experience, it is a HARD campaign! I ran it for a group of 4 very experienced players (it was our 5th full AP), 20 point buy. They've had some close fights throughout the other campaigns but there were more very near TPKs in RoW than the other 4 APs combined, and the almost deadly fights started early in book 1. (I think the first one was with 3 PCs below 0 HP, with the 4th at 1 HP running away strategically enough to get a shot off every round or two before finally killing the enemy.)