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MULTIPLE MONSTERS: lST-STH LEVEL

Character ---------...hallenge

Rating·-------

Level

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

1/8

1:2

1:3

1:5

1:8

1 :12

1 /4 1/2^1

5:1

3:1

2 3

1 :1

1:2

1:2

1 :4

1 :8

3:1

1 :1 6:1

1 :1 2:1 4:1 6:1

1:2 1 :1 2:1 4:1

1:4 1:2 1:1 2:1

MULTIPLE MONSTERS: 6TH-10TH LEVEL

4

6:1

3:1

5

5:1

6

6:1

Character ------------Challenge Rating·------------

Level

6th

7th

8th

9th

10th

1/8

1 :12

1 :12

1:12

1 :12

1 :12

1/4

1:9

1:12

1 :12

1:12

1:12

1/2

1:5

1:6

1:7

1:8

1:10

1

1:2

1:3

1:4

1:4

1:5

2

1 :1

l :1

1:2

1:2

1:2

MULTIPLE MONSTERS: llTH-lSTH LEVEL

3 4 5

2:1 2: 1 4:1

1:1 2:1 3:1

1 :1 2:1 3:1

1:1 1:1 2:1

1 :1 1 :1 2:1

6

5:1

4:1

3:1

3:1

2:1

7

6:1

5:1

4:1

4:1

3:1

8

6:1

5:1

4:1

9

6:1

5:1

10

6:1

Character

Level

--------------\.hallenge Rating•-------------

1 2 3 4 5 6

2:1

2:1

1 :1

1 :1

1 :1

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

11th

12th

13th

1 4th

15th

1:6 1:3 1:2 1:1 2:1 2:1 3:1 4:1 5:1 6:1

1:8^1 :3 1:2 1:1^1 :1 2:^1 3:1 3:1 4:1 5:1 6:1

5:1

4:1

4:1

1:9 1:4 1:2 1:2 1:1 2: 1 2:1 3:1 3:1 4:1 6:1

5:1

5:1

1:10 1:4 1:3 1:2 1:1

1:12 1:5 1:3 1:2 1 :1

MULTIPLE MONSTERS: 16TH-20TH LEVEL

2: 1

1 :1

2:1

2:1

3:1

2:1

3:1 4:1

3:1 3:1

6:1

5:1 6:1

Character

Level

• ----------------Challenge Rating·-----------------

(^2 3 4 5 6 7 8)
2:1
1 :1
1 :1
l :1
1 :1
9 10 11 12 13 14
5:1
4:1
4:1
3:1
3:1
15
5:1
4:1
4:1
4:1
3:1
16
6:1
5:1
5:1
4:1
4:1
17 18 19 20
16th
17th
18th
19th
20th
1:5 1:3 1:2 1:1 1:1 1:1 2:1 2:1 3:1 4:1 4:1
1:7 1:4 1:3 1:2 1:1 1:1 2:1 2:1 2:1 3:1 3:1 6:1
6:1
5:1
4:1
1:7 1:5 1:3 1:2 1:1^1 :1 2:1 2:1 2:1 3:1 3:1 6:1
6:1
5:1
1:8 1:5 1:3 1:2 1:2 1:1 1:1 2:1 2:1 2:1 3:1 6:1
1:9 1 :6 1 :4 1:2 1:2 1:1 1:1 1:1 2:1 2:1 2:1 5:1 6:1
stack up agains t your group. Hit points, attacks, and
saving t hrows are all usefuJ indicators. Compare the
damage a monster can deal to the hit point maximum of
each character. Be wary of any monster that is capable
of dropping a character with a single attack, unless you
are designing the fight to be especially deadly.
In the same way, compare the monsters' hit points to
the damage output of the party's strongest characters,
again looking for targets that can be killed with one
blow. Having a significant number of foes drop in the
first rounds of combat can make an encounter too easy.
Likewise, look at whether a monster's deadliest
abilities call for saving throws that most of the party
members are weak with, and compare the characters'
offensive abilities to the monsters' saving throws.
If the only creatures you can choose from at the de-
sired challenge rating aren't a good match for the char-
acters' statistics, don't be afraid to go back to step 3. By
altering your challenge rating targets and adjusting the
CHAPTER 2 DUNGEON MASTER'S TOOLS
number of c reatures in the encounter, you can come up
with different options for building the encounter.

STEP 5 : Ann FLAVOR

The events that unfold during an encounter have to do

with a lot more than swinging weapons and casting

spells. The most interesting confrontations also take

into account t he personality or behavior of the monsters,

perhaps determining whether they can be communi-

cated with or whether t hey're all acting in concert. Other

possible factors include the nature of the physical envi-

ronment, such as whether it includes obstacles or other

features that might come into play, and the ever-present

possibility of something unexpected taking place.

If you al ready have ideas for how to flesh out your

encounter in these ways, go right a head and finish your

creation. Otherwise, take a look at the following sec-

tions for some basic advice on adding flavor e lements to

the simple mechanics of the fight.