[3.5] EL math

[Keld Denar]

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...

[Douglas]

If I remember the official rules correctly, X and X = X+2, while X and X-2 = X+1.

So, to boost your level 12 wizard to an EL 13 encounter you'd need to add EL 10 worth of minions. The 4 shadows are less than that, so the wizard plus shadows would be somewhere around EL 12.5.

To get EL 14, you'd need to combine your wizard with an EL 12 force. EL 12 = EL 11 and EL 9 = 3 EL 9s = 6 EL 7s = 12 EL 5s = 24 EL 3s. So, 24 shadows should do it.

The math gets a bit unreliable (even more than usual) when the number of creatures is that high, though, so take that with a hefty grain of salt.

[Kaww]

You need EL 11 from shadows + EL 12 wizard to get EL 14.
EL 12 + EL 7 = EL 12.

Use generators. Such as this or this.

[Ernir]

I usually use this and forget about the tables.

Going by the table on page 49 of the DMG, though... you need two CR 12 creatures to get one EL 14 encounter. Which means

To get EL 14, you'd need to combine your wizard with an EL 12 force. EL 12 = EL 11 and EL 9 = 3 EL 9s = 6 EL 7s = 12 EL 5s = 24 EL 3s. So, 24 shadows should do it.

The math gets a bit unreliable (even more than usual) when the number of creatures is that high, though, so take that with a hefty grain of salt.

This.

(Swordsage'd.)