I typically use this encounter calculator to build my encounters, but it lacks an option to measure when the party has monsters fighting on their side. Does anyone know of a similar website or just have their own formulas for determining the CR of an encounter with this in mind?
Calculating Encounters with Allied Monsters
- Thread starter ZenBear
- Start date
I use a slightly different form, but basically when this has happened (which is rare) I just reduce the enemy by an equal number of allies of the same CR. So I increase the XP target by the XP I would get if I calculated a fight against my allies.
As always though, it's not particularly clear cut and it's still kind of a guesstimate.
As always though, it's not particularly clear cut and it's still kind of a guesstimate.
Swarmkeeper
Hero
Haven't seen anything online but as a start, maybe set it up as a rough algebraic equation?
In this example we have a Party (P) and 3 CR 1/2 creatures up against 3 CR 1 creatures:
P + 3CR1/2 vs. 3CR1
subtract 3CR1/2 from each side and you get P facing 3CR1/2 for calculating difficulty
- OR -
Use the Solo Monster Challenge Rating table from Xanathar's (p88) and step down 2 or 3 CRs from the Party of 4 column.
That (maybe) gives us some rough equivalencies:
PC level = monster CR
1 = 1/8
2 = 1/2
3 = 1
4 = 2
etc
- OR -
The whole difficulty calculation is a bit wonky anyway, so winging it works, too. Some fights just become easier or harder by chance and not every battle needs to achieve "balance" to be fun and memorable.
In this example we have a Party (P) and 3 CR 1/2 creatures up against 3 CR 1 creatures:
P + 3CR1/2 vs. 3CR1
subtract 3CR1/2 from each side and you get P facing 3CR1/2 for calculating difficulty
- OR -
Use the Solo Monster Challenge Rating table from Xanathar's (p88) and step down 2 or 3 CRs from the Party of 4 column.
That (maybe) gives us some rough equivalencies:
PC level = monster CR
1 = 1/8
2 = 1/2
3 = 1
4 = 2
etc
- OR -
The whole difficulty calculation is a bit wonky anyway, so winging it works, too. Some fights just become easier or harder by chance and not every battle needs to achieve "balance" to be fun and memorable.
Quickleaf
Legend
My rule of thumb with NPCs joining the party is to begin with this as my rough guideline (and then adjust based on play experience of that particular NPC):
CR = Level equivalent
1/4 = 1
1/2 = 2
1 = 3
2 = 4
3 = 5
4 = 7
5 = 9
6 = 11
7 = 12
8 = 14
I haven't gone any higher than CR 5 so far, so I'm not sure how the higher CR level equivalencies work out. But my experience is that this is a roughly accurate (as accurate as CR can be, at any rate) approximation.
CR = Level equivalent
1/4 = 1
1/2 = 2
1 = 3
2 = 4
3 = 5
4 = 7
5 = 9
6 = 11
7 = 12
8 = 14
I haven't gone any higher than CR 5 so far, so I'm not sure how the higher CR level equivalencies work out. But my experience is that this is a roughly accurate (as accurate as CR can be, at any rate) approximation.
