Keld Denar
2011-01-21, 04:35 PM
So, XP is generally handed out by CR, but encounter planning is a function of EL. Typically, EL = APL (Average Party Level) encounters should take what, 20-25% of allotted resources. Thats fine. EL+2 to +3 should be "tough" encounters, and EL+4 should be "boss" encounters and EL+5 is pretty much suicide. Got that all. No problem. Also, generally for a solo creature, CR = EL. Got that too. Also, doubling foes gets +2 EL. So 1 CR3 is EL3, 2 CR3s is EL5, and 4 CR3s is EL7. No problem.
As far as mathing out ELs for odd groups though? Say I have a leader dude, a 12th level wizard (CR12). He's got some mooks he aquired through some means, say, a handful of shadows (CR3). Lets say...4 shadows for the sake of math.
Now, 4 shadows is EL7 by themselves, but the wizard is EL12 by himself. How much EL do I get when I add the two together? Its not a doubling, so it wouldn't be EL14, but its harder than EL12. Would it be EL13? EL13.5? EL13.14157?
Also, reverse engineering...I have a CR12 wizard, and I want an EL14 encounter. How many shadows would I need to add in to get to EL14?
I thought I had a pretty good grasp on the math involved, but now I'm kinda scratchin my head...
As far as mathing out ELs for odd groups though? Say I have a leader dude, a 12th level wizard (CR12). He's got some mooks he aquired through some means, say, a handful of shadows (CR3). Lets say...4 shadows for the sake of math.
Now, 4 shadows is EL7 by themselves, but the wizard is EL12 by himself. How much EL do I get when I add the two together? Its not a doubling, so it wouldn't be EL14, but its harder than EL12. Would it be EL13? EL13.5? EL13.14157?
Also, reverse engineering...I have a CR12 wizard, and I want an EL14 encounter. How many shadows would I need to add in to get to EL14?
I thought I had a pretty good grasp on the math involved, but now I'm kinda scratchin my head...