Difference between revisions of "How to Design an Encounter"
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− | 3. '''Compare this modified APL with the charts, below, to determine your XP Budget.''' For example, if your modified APL was 6 (don't forget that +1 for Tenebrae!), then you have an "XP Budget" of 2,400. Multiple creatures equal a higher CR |
+ | 3. '''Compare this modified APL with the charts, below, to determine your XP Budget.''' For example, if your modified APL was 6 (don't forget that +1 for Tenebrae!), then you have an "XP Budget" of 2,400. Multiple creatures equal a higher CR. |
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Revision as of 15:58, 24 February 2020
Here is how to design Pathfinder encounters! Just keep in mind that CR is a good estimate, but may change according to party makeup.
How to Calculate the Challenge Rating for an Encounter
1. Calculate the Average Party Level, or APL. That is, total the levels of each player character in the plot, then divide the end result by the number of players, and round it to the nearest number (not necessarily down). From here:
- Decrease the APL by 1:
- If the number of players is 3 or fewer
- If circumstances are heavily slated against the player characters
- Increase the APL by 1:
- If there are 5 or more players
- If circumstances play heavily in their favor
2. Determine the challenge you want to present. Tenebrae characters are stronger than average because of their higher point buy, as well as the number of options provided ingame. The following chart has been adjusted to reflect that, although we've provided the standard one for reference. For PrPs and scenes, we assume the average encounter will be around APL+1 or2.
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3. Compare this modified APL with the charts, below, to determine your XP Budget. For example, if your modified APL was 6 (don't forget that +1 for Tenebrae!), then you have an "XP Budget" of 2,400. Multiple creatures equal a higher CR.
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4. Go monster hunting. To find out how many and which monsters you can use, total the individual XP values of each monster. Then, compare the end result with your "XP Budget" number. Once you're close to your number, you've "filled" the monsters for that encounter.
Don't worry if the value isn't exactly equal--just approximate it the best you can!
If you'd like some general advice on tactics, check out this well-written guide!
Help for GMs
Tools for GMs | ||
Question | Answer | |
How can I design an encounter? | We wrote an article on it! See How to Design an Encounter for your answers. | |
Are there tools to make running encounters easier? | A lot of plot runners on Tenebrae use a software called Combat Manager to help track enemy HP totals and have enemy stat blocks available at a glance.
The Player-Contributed Encounter Grab Bag has some player-contributed inspiration for running your own encounters, too. | |
Where can I find monsters for encounters? | Check out the Tenebrae Bestiary. The only approved sources for monsters are listed on this page!
Keep in mind that there are creature restrictions depending on what type of PRP you're running! (See Standard PRPs and Death Consent PRPs for more on those.) Dragons and demiliches are reserved for staff-only events to keep them unique. Catfolk, driders, and drow are not in theme and therefore are not permitted. | |
What if I want to offer legwork? What IS legwork? | The Legwork Mini-Guide for GMs explains it all!
+help legwork in-game is helpful too. |
MUX versus Tabletop
Encounters in a MUX tend to take longer due to the nature of the medium. This is one of the reasons we have the 2 encounter limit in PrPs.