What is bizarre to me is how official low level content can occasionally be very difficult but official high level content is almost always a dunk fest by the Players. One would think it should be the opposite. This vexes me to no end. An ochre jelly is a TPK machine but Strahd can be killed before getting a turn. Ochre jelly at level 1 are way harder than Orcus is at level 15. https://t.co/sJGcCAWq7e
— SlyFlourish.com (@SlyFlourish) November 2, 2019
I think CR should be done away with period… it just doesn’t work most of the time. Write a Dungeon Masters Guide Master Class book on encounter building… without using CR.
I literally NEVER use CR as a factor in building an encounter. Have you ever used the encounter budget guidelines? I’ve found them to be a great guide as both a player and DM.
— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) November 3, 2019
Is that the original DMG rules or the Xanathar rules? The DMG rules are so fiddly. Original. Haven’t used XGE’s version.
The only issue I’ve had with the DMG is the multipliers, in my experience they are assuming too much power from multiple monsters, and end up with easier fights than the numbers suggest.
— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) November 3, 2019
I do like that better but it still has the same problem. I like to use the Mummy Lord vs Adult Green Dragon comparison. In no way shape or form should those encounters be built the same. If you do the mummy lord gets killed SIGNIFICANTLY faster than the dragon.Better than what? That’s how encounters are meant to be built. There’s no other intended use for CR.
And yes, individual capabilities will cause fights to work out very differently even within the same CR band/encounter budget. There’s no plug and play silver bullet.
— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) November 3, 2019
I think it would be highly beneficial for a master class DMG to be written in specifically encounter building that focuses on these little nuances. Tips and tricks that you just learn over time. You or I would look at a PC party of 5 and construct an encounter with a Mummy Lord Differently than we would an adult green dragon. Jimmy the DM still new to their role, only has CR and XP to go on. Of course they are baffled when the Mummy Lord gets steamrolled. As written it should be as difficult as the dragon. We know it won't be.
— DM Jason 🏳️🌈BI🏳️🌈 (@JasonTDnDDM) November 3, 2019
Mummy lord and adult dragons are tricky examples. You basically picked each opposite spectrum extreme of the CR band. Most fights won’t have that much significant hidden variance.
— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) November 3, 2019
But CR is FILLED with those variances.
At just a glance at CR7 you have Bheur Hag vs Giant Ape.
Again. Both same CR and XP but Encounters that you would design COMPLETELY differently. There is definitely variance in a given CR band. Never ever said there wasn’t. You just picked the most comically yawning gap I can think of.
— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) November 3, 2019
Giant centipedes and shadows are pretty gonzo for their CR. So are intellect devours and banshees.
Giant poisonous snake is a big one.
Flying snakes are fragile enough that they fit 1/8… until you take them as a Ranger’s Companion and negate their weak hp total dragging the CR down. 😁
— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) November 3, 2019