CR question

[Zippiesdrainage]

So when a creature has a cr and is also typically found in groups or packs, does the CR apply to the pack or to just one of the monsters? Also is XP suppose to be divided up or that's what each character receives?

For example, a monster spider which is typically in packs of 4 has a CR 5. Will a pack of 4 be CR 5 or CR 20 (5x4) or am I way off.

Second question applies to the exp. Is listed Xp for the single spider, the group or what each player gets after combat?

Thanks

[Ydaer Ca Noit]

The Cr applies to only one monster.

However you don't just add the CRs to find the EL. You use the table at DMG or something like this http://www.d20srd.org/extras/d20encountercalculator/ .

There is no listed exp for every monster, except if you are playing pathfinder (in 3.5 there is a table that says how much exp each CR gives). In the case you are playing pathfinder: http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering

Also you divide the exp between the players

[Big Fau]

For example, a monster spider which is typically in packs of 4 has a CR 5. Will a pack of 4 be CR 5 or CR 20 (5x4) or am I way off.

Way off. CR (or rather, the EL of an encounter) scales weirdly. A single spider is a CR 5, while the pack of 4 is a CR 7 or an 8 (you don't multiply the CRs of multiple creatures together).

[Malimar]

It's often easier to just use a calculator like the one Ydaer Ca Noit linked to, but the actual rule is: every time you double the number of creatures, the CR goes up by 2. So two CR4 creatures would be EL6; four would be EL8; eight would be EL10.

[KillianHawkeye]

Regardless, encounter level is not used to calculate XP. It is merely an guesstimation of the difficulty of the overall encounter.

[TuggyNE]

Way off. CR (or rather, the EL of an encounter) scales weirdly. A single spider is a CR 5, while the pack of 4 is a CR 7 or an 8 (you don't multiply the CRs of multiple creatures together).

The pack would be EL 9; two spiders is EL 7 (+2 for doubling), and then another +2 for twice two is 9.

[Sir Chuckles]

I personally like this (http://creaturecatalog.enworld.org/fiend_factory/elc/encounter_calculator.htm) calculator.
It's essentially the same, but it's nice enough to tell you what exp you get for a fight that's "too strong" for the party.

The listed exp in the DMG is the total experience. You divide it between players.