JellyPooga
2016-05-06, 07:33 AM
So I've been studying the Encounter Difficulty rules as compared to the critters in the Monster Manual and things seem...a little easy? To that end, I've decided to nail down some numbers to confirm my suspicions, in the form of an arena-style series of encounters. It's just a thought exercise on my part, but rather than keep it to myself, I thought I'd "think out loud" and post it here. I'd appreciate any comments, criticism or suggestions.
The Rules
- All the encounters here are rated Hard or Deadly for a solo Player Character. XP gain is as normal and the PC can only level up during a Long Rest.
- Each encounter is discreet and independent of the next and unless noted otherwise, the PC will be allowed a Short Rest between each encounter and a Long Rest between every four. Unless otherwise noted, assume the following daily timetable;
0600 - Encounter
0900 - Short Rest
1000 - Encounter
1300 - Short Rest
1400 - Encounter
1700 - Short Rest
1800 - Encounter
2100 - Long Rest
Any encounter that runs longer than 3 hours will be considered "failed". The encounter will be terminated at the end of the following rest period and the next encounter will start immediately. The PC will still earn standard XP for surviving the encounter (assuming they do), but will not earn a GP reward (see below) and will have to face the next encounter without the benefits of the Rest they missed.
Any time "saved" by resolving an Encounter before the 3 hour time-limit is added to the next Rest period. The duration of temporary effects (such as spells) deplete at their normal rate (e.g. a spell that lasts 8 hours will be good for a maximum of 2 encounters).
- Each encounter will have different parameters; terrain, arena size, etc. which will be described for each encounter.
- The PC can be any Race/Class/Background combination from the PHB (Core PHB only; no DMG optional Races/Classes, Splatbooks, UA, Homebrew or 3rd party), using 27pt-buy for Ability Scores, starting at level 1. The Feats and Multiclassing optional rules are allowed. Feel free to run characters through my gauntlet and tell me how it goes or suggest builds you think might do particularly well.
- Equipment is to be bought using the average starting gold as per the PC's Class (see PHB pg.143 Starting Wealth by Class). Each encounter yields a reward equal to (100xCharacter Level)gp. Living and Training costs are assumed to be paid for. Reward money can be spent on any equipment desired from the PHB.
- Magic Items may also be purchased. A Maximum of one Magic Item may be purchased per character level and is restricted by level as per the Magic Item Rarity table on pg.135 DMG (i.e. anyone may purchase Common or Uncommon items, Rare items are only available to 5th level or higher characters, etc.). Cost is the upper bound of the suggested values (i.e. Common 100gp, Uncommon 500gp, etc.). Legendary items are not available (as they have no upper bound value). Only the Magic Items in the DMG are available.
So without further ado...
The Rules
- All the encounters here are rated Hard or Deadly for a solo Player Character. XP gain is as normal and the PC can only level up during a Long Rest.
- Each encounter is discreet and independent of the next and unless noted otherwise, the PC will be allowed a Short Rest between each encounter and a Long Rest between every four. Unless otherwise noted, assume the following daily timetable;
0600 - Encounter
0900 - Short Rest
1000 - Encounter
1300 - Short Rest
1400 - Encounter
1700 - Short Rest
1800 - Encounter
2100 - Long Rest
Any encounter that runs longer than 3 hours will be considered "failed". The encounter will be terminated at the end of the following rest period and the next encounter will start immediately. The PC will still earn standard XP for surviving the encounter (assuming they do), but will not earn a GP reward (see below) and will have to face the next encounter without the benefits of the Rest they missed.
Any time "saved" by resolving an Encounter before the 3 hour time-limit is added to the next Rest period. The duration of temporary effects (such as spells) deplete at their normal rate (e.g. a spell that lasts 8 hours will be good for a maximum of 2 encounters).
- Each encounter will have different parameters; terrain, arena size, etc. which will be described for each encounter.
- The PC can be any Race/Class/Background combination from the PHB (Core PHB only; no DMG optional Races/Classes, Splatbooks, UA, Homebrew or 3rd party), using 27pt-buy for Ability Scores, starting at level 1. The Feats and Multiclassing optional rules are allowed. Feel free to run characters through my gauntlet and tell me how it goes or suggest builds you think might do particularly well.
- Equipment is to be bought using the average starting gold as per the PC's Class (see PHB pg.143 Starting Wealth by Class). Each encounter yields a reward equal to (100xCharacter Level)gp. Living and Training costs are assumed to be paid for. Reward money can be spent on any equipment desired from the PHB.
- Magic Items may also be purchased. A Maximum of one Magic Item may be purchased per character level and is restricted by level as per the Magic Item Rarity table on pg.135 DMG (i.e. anyone may purchase Common or Uncommon items, Rare items are only available to 5th level or higher characters, etc.). Cost is the upper bound of the suggested values (i.e. Common 100gp, Uncommon 500gp, etc.). Legendary items are not available (as they have no upper bound value). Only the Magic Items in the DMG are available.
So without further ado...