HidesHisEyes
2017-02-07, 02:55 AM
Does anyone else have any shortcuts or simple ways to build custom monsters for 5E? Specifically getting the right challenge rating. The system in the DMG is a bit of a faff.
What I'm trying at the moment is: pick the challenge rating you want and make a note of the HP range, average damage per round, AC and attack bonus for that CR. Then adjust them to your liking based on what you how you want the monster to turn out. Give a "CR modifier" to each adjustment you make: +/-1 for each step up or down the CR table for HP or damage, +/-0.5 for each step up or down for AC or attack bonus. Since special traits apply an effective change to one of those four stats, they can also be valued in the same way. In theory, as long as you end up with a net modifier of -0.5 to +0.5, the monster should end up being the CR you originally chose. I think that should work out the same as if you follow the steps in the DMG. It's still a bit of a faff but at least you don't have to worry about offensive and defensive CR, and the modifier system makes it easier to keep track of what changes you're making, for me at least.
What I'm trying at the moment is: pick the challenge rating you want and make a note of the HP range, average damage per round, AC and attack bonus for that CR. Then adjust them to your liking based on what you how you want the monster to turn out. Give a "CR modifier" to each adjustment you make: +/-1 for each step up or down the CR table for HP or damage, +/-0.5 for each step up or down for AC or attack bonus. Since special traits apply an effective change to one of those four stats, they can also be valued in the same way. In theory, as long as you end up with a net modifier of -0.5 to +0.5, the monster should end up being the CR you originally chose. I think that should work out the same as if you follow the steps in the DMG. It's still a bit of a faff but at least you don't have to worry about offensive and defensive CR, and the modifier system makes it easier to keep track of what changes you're making, for me at least.