GMs Guide to Creating Challenging Encounters

NOTE: EFFECTIVE 02/03/2014 THIS GUIDE WILL NO LONGER BE UPDATED. IT WILL NOT BE REMOVED. STARTING 2/10/14, THIS GUIDES CONTENT WILL BE EXPANED UPON IN BLOG-FORMAT AT THE NEW EVERYMAN GAMING BLOG. EVERYMAN GAMING IS UPDATED WEEKLY ON MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, AND FRIDAYS. NO INFORMATION IN THIS GUIDE WILL BE COPY/PASTED ONTO THE BLOG; IT WILL BE WRITTEN ENTIRELY FROM SCRATCH AND WILL CONTAIN AT LEAST 69% BETTER GRAMMAR AND PUNCTUATION. The Paizo thread will continue to function if you wish to discuss these changes. The Everyman Gaming blog also contains a Facebook page (there is a link at the bottom of each page on the blog. If you would like to submit ideas for future articles, please PM the author at the Everyman Gaming Facebook Page.
YoumaynowreturnyourregularscheduledGuideViewing. ~AlexanderAugunas

Table of Contents
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Glossary DebunkingMyths TheActionEconomy TheMathBehindCR RecappingtheProcess CalculatingaPlayersCR DeployingtheLinearGuild RevengeoftheRecap MythicMathematicsDesigningEncountersforMythicAdventures DesigningEffectiveBossMonsters PracticeWhatWePreachTheHauntingofHarrowstone TakingAdvantageofTerrainandWeather TheRealGoal MiscellaneousTipsandTricks Summary

Glossary
[Link],thisiswhereyou shouldgoodtoreferencethoseterms. GMGameMasterthepersonwhorunsthegameyoureplaying. PCPlayerCharacterthepeopleplayinginthegamethatisbeingrun. APLAveragePartyLevelthisistheaveragelevelofyourparty. CRChallengeRatingthisishowdifficultthemonsteris. XPExperiencePointsanumericalsystemthatdetermineswhenPCslevelupisalsoused todetermineamonstersCR. DepletableResourcesAnythingthataplayercanloseasaresultofparticipatinginan [Link],abilityscores,spellsperday, magicitemcharges,dailyuseabilities,andsoon.

Debunking Myths
Beforewegetstartedonthisguide,theresomeimportantmythsthatneeddispelling. [Link],andonly [Link] downaspecificplotorstorylinewithoutgivingthemanychoiceortheillusionofchoice. Designingencountersinadvancecansometimesberailroading,butitisnotasuresignof [Link] spontaneitylater. [Link] [Link],andtheproblemisthatit stemsdirectlyfromtheCoreRulebook,whichstatesthatyoudonotneedtoadjustapartys [Link] balancedandhowthegamesactioneconomyworks. [Link],[Link] youreadtheCoreRulebook,aCR4encountershouldonlydrainroughly25%oftheanAPL4 [Link],itisan averageencounter. [Link]?Imansweringthis [Link] doesnottalkaboutthecreativeaspectofdesigningencounters,andbelieveitornotbutitisnt [Link],youcanbetaughtMathematicsandtechniquesforhowto [Link] [Link],GMsomegames,playinsomegames,andearnexperience [Link] hownewsomeoneis,agoodencounterdesigner(andagoodGM)knowsthatthereare lessonstolearnfromeveryexperienceheacquires. [Link]/Magus/ZenArcherisbroken!Imwillingtobetthat90%oftheGMs [Link] [Link],anyplayeroptionisonlyasbrokenasyou [Link],thethreeclassesIvelistedarethecommonsubjectsof complaintswhenitcomesto,Isthisclassbroken?Honestly,itmakesmelaughbecause [BrokenNova]classthreadsalmostalwaysexistalongside[Martialssuckcomparedto spellcasters]threads,andyettwoofthreemostcommonlycomplainedaboutclasseshave [Link]! InordertobeasuccessfulGM,youneedtobefamiliarenoughwiththerulesthatyoucan

[Link] misconceptionbyRPGGamersnowadaysthattheFirstPartyPublisher(Hint:Paizo)is allpowerfulandallknowingandisthegoldenstandardbywhichalllesserproductsshouldbe [Link],[Link],andoftenthat [Link] iconicpartyoffour,[Link] norm,theharderoreasiertheadventurebecomes. [Link], theGunslinger,Magus,[Link] [Link], butyouneedtoA)useavarietyofencountersandB)notewhichtypeofencountersyour playersarechallengedby. Tldr:AdventurePaths(andeventheXPtables,toacertaindegree)arebalancedassuming thatyourplayersareapartyoffourconsistingofaCoreWizard,aCoreCleric,aCore Rogue,[Link],themore [Link] encountersharder,andmostofthemarebackwardscompatibletowardsmakingencounters [Link]!

The Action Economy, or the Real Reason Your Encounters Are Trivial
IamnotgoingtogoindepthontheActionEconomyhereinthisguideitisquiteliterallyatopic thatdeservesitsownguide,suchasthefabulousguidewrittenbytheGeekIndustrialComplex [Link] guidetotheActionEconomy. [Link]?Putsimply,theactioneconomyisthenumberofactions [Link],everycharacterin acombathasaccesstothreeactionsaStandardAction,aMoveAction,andaSwiftAction. YoucanalsocombinetheStandardandMoveactionstogetherintoaFullRoundAction,with themostcommonofthoseactionsbeingtheFullAttackActionandtheFullMovementAction. [Link]?Yourplayersaregoingtoconstantlylookforways [Link]?Thosespellsspent buffingarestandardactionsthatdonotneedtobecastduringthecombat,whichnetsthe [Link] ActionEconomy,[Link] shouldneverallowthePCstobuffbeforeanencounter,butyouneedtobeawarethatthe playersusingoutofcombattimetocastbuffsmeansthattheyaregoingtobeableto dedicatemoreoftheircombatactionstorippingapartyourmonsters. [Link]?TheveryrealconceptoftheAction Economyisbasicallywhatmakestheiconicbossmonstersoincrediblyeasytodefeat unlesssaidbossmonstersignificantlyoverpowersthePCsintermsofitsCRtotheirAPL. Insteadofaroleplayinggame,[Link] youplaceanAPL4partyoffouradventurersagainstaCR4monster,bothsidesofthe [Link],becausetherearefourPCstoone CR4monster,thePCssideiseffectivelytakingfourturnstheyaremakingfourmovesto [Link] [Link] designedwiththisinmind,soifyouwanttodesignadifficultencounter,youneedtoevenout thechessboardsomewhat,whichwillalwaysmeananencounterofahigherCR.

The Math Behind CR

ThePathfinderRoleplayingGameisbuiltupondecadesofspreadsheetsandmathematical [Link],youneedtobefamiliarwiththemath behindthesystem,boththemaththatallowsCRtofunctionthewayitdoesandhowthesystem [Link],welllookattheimportantrelationshipsinencounterdesigningbefore wediveheadfirstintoNumberland. Relationship#[Link] developersalwaysmentiontheiconicadventuringpartyashavingaFighter,aRogue,a Cleric,andaWizard?OrthatallofPaizosAdventurePathartalwaysdepictsfourPCsnever more?Thisisnotaccidentalfarfrombeinganiconicadventuringband,theFighter/Rogue/ Wizard/[Link] theassumptionthatyouhavethosefourclassesandthetoolstheypossessatyourdisposal. Relationship#[Link] monstersofacertainCRawardthesamenumberofexperiencepointsandthatwhenyoukill amonster,youdivideitsExperiencePointstodeterminetherewardthatacharacter receives?TheamountofXPearnedafteranencounterisbasicallythePCsshareofthe [Link],amonstersexperienceis basedonitsCRasmuchastheentireencounterswealthis. Relationship#[Link],wecaneasilydetermine howmuchXPaplayershouldbeabletohandleinanencounterbasedontheencountersCR [Link] theaveragelevelofacharactertoanencounterwithaCRthatisequaltothatcharacters level,[Link] thatthegameassumesafourmanparty. HowtoReadThisTable:Accordingtothetablefoundonthenextpage,a1stcharacteris experiencingaaverageencounter(CR=characterslevel)ifsheisexpectedtohandle100 [Link] thatexpends25%[Link] encounterfor41stlevelPCs,youwouldmultiple100XPby4(thenumberofPCsinthe encounter)andtheneffectivelypurchaseupto400XPofmonstersforyourencounter.A CRencounterisworth50XP,soIcouldmakeanaverageencounteroutof8CR monsters.IcouldalsousefourCRmonstersoroneCR1monster. [Link].

Character LvL
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

CR1
50 100 150 200 300 400 600 800 1,200 1,600 2,400 3,200 4,800 6,400 9,600 12,800 19,200 25,600 38,400 51,200

CR+0
100 150 200 300 400 600 800 1,200 1,600 2,400 3,200 4,800 6,400 9,600 12,800 19,200 25,600 38,400 51,200 76,800

CR+1
150 200 300 400 600 800 1,200 1,600 2,400 3,200 4,800 6,400 9,600 12,800 19,200 25,600 38,400 51,200 76,800 102,400

CR+2
200 300 400 600 800 1,200 1,600 2,400 3,200 4,800 6,400 9,600 12,800 19,200 25,600 38,400 51,200 76,800 102,400 153,600

CR+3
300 400 600 800 1,200 1,600 2,400 3,200 4,800 6,400 9,600 12,800 19,200 25,600 38,400 51,200 76,800

CR+4
400 600 800 1,200 1,600 2,400 3,200 4,800 6,400 9,600 12,800 19,200 25,600 38,400 51,200 76,800 102,400

CR+5
600 800 1,200 1,600 2,400 3,200 4,800 6,400 9,600 12,800 19,200 25,600 38,400 51,200 76,800 102,400 153,600 205,800 307,200 409,600

102,400 153,600 153,600 204,800 204,800 307,200

Recapping the Process

Letsquicklyrevieweverythingthatwevegoneoverupuntilthispoint. [Link],whichcanbe simplifiedasthenumberofactionsthatallcharactersparticipatinginthecombatcan [Link],encountersendquickly. [Link](CR)systemisbudgetedthroughXPandassumesthatyour [Link],thesystemis designedknowingthatwhenapartyfacesoffagainstamonsterofappropriateAPL,the [Link] partysAPLisconsideredaveragedifficultytheyoftenlackthesheernumberofactionsin ordertomatchthepartymoveformoveandenduplosingthecombatbecauseofit.. [Link],wecanassumethat playersaremathematicallyexpectedtoactandexpendresourcesatasomewhatequalrate duringanencounterXPearnedisliterallycompensationforactionstakenandresources usedduringtheday. [Link],wecandividetheXPAwardforagivenCRby4 tofindtheamountofXPthatoneplayerisexpectedtocontributetoanencounter. ThesevaluesarelistedontheChartprovidedabove,basedonthecharacterslevel comparedtotheencountersCR.

Calculating a Players CR
Ifyourereadingthisguide,[Link] dothat,[Link] concept,right?PlacingaCRontoyourplayerswhentheyrenotmonstersthatdoyourbidding? Well,youllbehappytoknowthatisquitepossibletodoifyouknowtherulesfordeterminingthe CRofhumanoidopponents. ClassLevels:WhendeterminingahumanoidsCR,useitstotalPCclasslevel1asitsCR. Forexample,[Link],useitstotalNPC [Link],[Link] classesandPCclassesismessyCRwiseavoiditifpossible. Equipment:[Link] wealthappropriateforitslevel,[Link], [Link],increaseitsCRby1. ThismeansthatifacharacterhasallPCclasslevelsandisequippedappropriatelyfora PCofitslevel,[Link] importantifyoudonotkeepyourPCsuptodatewithtreasure,youactuallyreducethequalityof thechallengesthatyourpartycanfacebecauselikethetotalnumberofplayersinyourparty,the gamemakesassumptionsabouthowwellequippedyourplayersare.

Deploying the Linear Guild

Nowthatwehavethisinformation,[Link],The OrderoftheStick,theLinearGuildisbasicallyanEvilOppositesgroupthatopposesthetitular [Link]. WhenwetalkaboutaLinearGuildencounter,weretalkingaboutmakingthePCsfight opponentsroughlyequivalenttothemselves. Torecap,aPChasaCRequaltohisCharacterLevelsolongashislevelsareinPC classesandhiswealthisclosetotherecommendedamountlistedforthePCWealth [Link],wellstartby evaluatingtheCRofa1v1matchanda4v4matchtolookforsimilarities. 1v1:[Link],wellpitRoyGreenhilt,a4thlevelFighter,againstThog,a [Link],wecanseethatifheisfightingon hisown,anAveragechallengeforRoyisanencounterworthabout300XPthisisabouthalfway betweenaCRandaCR1encounter,accordingtotheCoreRulebook.ButThogisa4th LevelBarbarianwhohaswealthequivalenttoaPC,[Link] Rulebook,Thogisworth1,200XPthisis4timesasmuchaswhatwouldnormallyconstitutean [Link],youllnoticesomethingstrange1,200XP [Link]+4column.Iftheyfight1v1,ThogisaCR+4encounterfor Roy. 4v4:Insteadofaskirmish,letslookatafullonbrawlbetweentheOrderoftheStickandthe [Link],wellpitRoyGreenhilt,HaleyStarshine,DurkonThundershield,and VaarsuviusagainstThog,Sabine,Helga,andDrzzt.Eachofthesecharactersisa4thlevel Character,andthereforeanaverageCRencounterforthispartyisworth1,200XP(300xpper playertimes4playersis1,200XP).However,eachmemberoftheLinearGuildhasPCwealth andfullPCclasslevels,[Link] encounterwiththeLinearGuildisworth4,800XP(1,200XPperopponenttimes4opponents). Again,thisisfourtimesasmuchXPasisappropriateforanaverageencounterforanAPL4

[Link],aCR8encounterisworth4,800XPaccordingtotheCore [Link],thisexampleperfectlyfollowstheHighCREquivalencies tableintheCoreRulebook,whichstatesthataddingfourmonstersofthesameCRincreasethe [Link],[Link] frombeingausefultoolforcalculatinghowmuchapartycanhandle,thisvalidatesthattheCR systemisdesignedfora4Personparty. IfwetakealloftheinformationfromtheLinearGuildexercise,thenittellsusthatifyouwantto designanencounterwherethePCsareevenlymatchedtotheiropponent,theencounterneeds tohaveaCRequaltoAPL+[Link],theopponentsshouldbeabletomatchthePCsone foroneintermsofresources,andonlywhenyougettoAPL+5encountersdotheoddstruly [Link] baseourchallengingencounters.

Revenge of the Recap

Letsreviewsomekeyinformationthatwevediscussedsofarinthisguide. [Link] [Link],theyneedtohave powerfulabilitiesandrawnumbersthatthePCscannotkeepupwith,whichleadstoshort, decisiveencountersinsteadofepic,challengingencounters. [Link]+4representsaCRwheretheplayersandtheiropponentsareevenly [Link],theoddsslidemoreand moretowardstheopponentsfavor. [Link].

Mythic Mathematics Planning Encounters for Mythic Adventures

Ifyourelikeme(youmightnotbe),thenyouprobablystartedpanickingafterseeingallofthe commentsthatMythicisaRocketPoweredMachineGunofDOOM!thatarecurrently (8/21/2013)[Link]?Iwondered aloudmanysleeplessnights?Idecided,Ohheckno!andstarteddivingintotheMathematics [Link],butthe pagethatisdirectlybeforethisonehasafullrecapofeverythingmentionedthusfarifyouneed therefresher. 1)APCsCRisequaltotheirclasslevel1. 2)ProperlyequippingaPCforitslevelincreasesthePCsCRby+1. 3)AcharacteraddshalfofherMythicTier(minimum1)toherclassleveltodetermine [Link](monsters). 4)AccordingtoMythicAdventures,onethirdofallencountersshouldusethepartys improvedAPL,onethirdshouldusetheiroriginalAPL,andthefinalthirdshouldfallin [Link],a5thLevelPartyoffourheroeswith4tierseachhasa standardAPLof5(theaverageoftheiractualclasslevel)andamodifiedAPLof7(theirAPL+

oftheirMythicTiers).Accordingtothebook,onethirdoftheencountersshouldassumethat theplayersAPLis5,onethirdshouldassumeanAPL7party,andonethirdshouldassumean APL6party(somewherebetweenthosetwo). 5)Inaccordancewith#4,youshouldbevaryingencountersupinordertoproperly [Link],youcanuseaChallengingencounter(+1CR)appropriate forthePCsactuallevel(CR6intheaboveexample),theyreMythiclevel(CR8),orsomewhere inbetween(CR7). Inordertopullthisoff,weneedsomesortofbaselinetoworkfromwhendesigningMythic [Link],anold3.5Edition book(IbelieveitwastheDMG)mentionedthatonaverage,ittakes13encountersinorderto reachanewlevelassumingthat50%ofyourencountersareofanappropriateAPL,andtherest [Link],butitsgoodenoughforwhatwere goingtodiscuss. So,ifwetakethe13encountersnumberasfactual(itsentirelyopinionbased)thenwecan dissectthatnumberdownintotwosmallerparts:APLappropriateencountersandAPLvaried [Link],wehave6encountersthatshouldhaveaCRequaltoyourAPL,6 encountersthatshouldbevaried,and1or2leftoverencountersthatshouldgowhereveryou feellike. [Link],IamawarethatI [Link],were assumingthatyourpartyisa5thLevelpartyoffourplayers. APLAppropriate(NonMythic,50%) APLVaried(NonMythic,50%) Leftover SixCR5encounters Sixencounters,rangingfromCR4toCR8. 1to2encounters(any)

[Link] AdventuresusingthefourfactsfromtheCoreRulebookandMythicAdventuresthatIstated [Link],wereassumingthatyourplayersarecomprisedof four5thLeveladventures,butwellalsouse2MythicTierseachwhencalculatingCR..

APLAppropriate(Mythic,50%) APLVaried(Mythic,50%)

TwoCR5,TwoCR6,TwoCR5to6. TwoEncountersrangingfromCR4toCR8

TwoEncountersrangingfromCR5toCR9 TwoEncountersrangingfromCR4toCR9 Leftover 1to2encountersCR4toCR9

So,howdoesthisallaffectyouastheGM? [Link],[Link],asthe GM,tothrowbiggerchallengessooneratyourplayers,andeventuallyitwillallowthemto [Link] newcaliburofhero,andifyouimplementMythicexpectingtokeepthestatusquo,youllbe [Link]. 1)[Link] [Link] THETIME.YouknowthatCR12dragonandboggardencounterwewantedtothrowatourPCs earlierontheguide?IfyourPCsareMythic,thatencountercouldbeamaximumofaCR13. Nowallofyoupeoplewhocomplainedaboutmewantingtothrow20frogpeopleatmyplayers canrejoicebecauseallofthosefrogpeoplenowgotONEEXTRACLASSLEVEL!Theyreliving largeandincharge!Orbetteryet,theyallgotPCWEALTH!Yourplayerswanttreasure?MAKE THEMDIEFORIT! Inaddition,MythicTiersdonotimproveyourBaseAttackBonus,soyoumightactuallymiss someofthosereallyhighACmonstersconsideringthateventhoughyoureMythic,yourAPLis still4levelslowerthanyouropponentsCR. 2)[Link] bonusestosavingthrowsoutsideofdaysperusepowersandacoupleofreallyhandy,really [Link] withsomecoolabilities,buttheyrestilleasilyaffectedbythenastypowersofthoseHighCR [Link],butletsfaceit,arentthe highpoweredbattlesthecoolestpartofmovieslikeSpartaandClashoftheTitans?Beforeyou complainaboutMythic,rememberwhatMythicistryingtohelpyouemulate:theMythicGreek andRomanheroesofold. Inaddition,MythicTiersdonotimproveyourACoutsideofahandfulofcoolGuardianPath abilities,sothosehighCRmonstersthatyourenowfightingwillprobablygettoattackyouon theirturn.

Designing Effective Boss Encounters

BossencountersareiconictoRoleplayingGameseveryonehasfondmemoriesof twentyminuteencountersagainstRPGbehemothslikeSepirothorLadyYunalescaanditisonly naturaltowanttoplanencounterssuchastheseforyourroleplayinggame. Thetruthofthematter,however,isthatdoingsoisexceptionallydifficultbecauseoftheAction [Link] defensesthataredifficultorimpossibletopenetrate(see:Tarrasque)oroneofthefollowing happens:thebossmonstergoesdownwithawhimperorthePCsareutterlyannihilatedina [Link],IamnottellingyoutobuildAPL+4dragonsforyourbossmonsters. Thatspunishingandcruel,andyourPCsarentlikelytoovercomethatencounter,especially [Link],fleshoutyourencountersandaddminions. [Link],wellsaythatthe DragonwewanttousehasaCRof11andthepartyhasaCRof10thedragonisalittlebit tougherthanthePCs,[Link],wedontwantthisencountertobeeasyforthe PCs,sowedecidetobumpuptheencountersCRto14thisisthepartysAP+4,whichwe [Link], theCR11dragonisworth12,[Link],CR14,hasanXPbudgetof38,400XP.

Aftersubtractingthedragonfromourbudget,wehave25,600XPtoworkwith. [Link],sowedecideto [Link] boggards,somaybetheGreenDragonisbeingworshipedasalivinggodbyalocalboggard [Link] [Link],ifIbuildabunchof4thlevelboggard fightersandequipthemasappropriatefor4thlevelPCs,eachboggardhasaCRof4.ACR4 boggardisworth1,200XP,sosomequickdivisionrevealsthatIcanpurchase21CR4 boggardsandonlyhave400XPleftoverIcaneitherdiscountthat,addsomerandomswamp animalstothecombat(afterall,thegreendragonmighthaveempathywiththeswamps serpentsortheboggardsmighthavegiantfrogsasmounts),orspenditonatrapornatural hazard. Youmightbeaskingyourself,[Link] seconddragoninsteadofanarmyofeasytokillfrogpeople?Theanswer,myfriends,isAction [Link],youhavetheactioneconomyifyouare fightingwith22opponents(onedragon,plus21boggards).Atypicalpartyhasfouradventurers. Eachadventurewilltypicallyhaveninespacesadjacenttoit,meaningatotalof36creaturescan [Link] movementwillberestricted,[Link] willhavetheACofagodsomewillbewizardsandroguesandeventheCR4boggardwould haveachancetohitthem.Andeverycreaturehasa5%chanceofautomaticallyhittingwitha natural20simplemathstatesthatbyrestrictinghowthePCsmoveandbypullingresources awayfromthedragon,theboggardsaremoreofahassleandmaketheencounterchallenging withoutmakingitimpossibleinthewaythattwodragonsmight. ThisisjustoneexampleofhowyoucanmakeanencountermoredifficultbyworkingtheAction Economyinyourfavor.

Practice What We Preach Haunting of Harrowstone

WARNING:SpoilersforCarrionCrown,TheHauntingofHarrowstonewillbefoundinthis section! Okay,[Link] example,ImgoingtousearelativelywellknownPaizoAdventurePath,theHauntingof [Link],itmostcertainlyendswith [Link],itsbeenoutforawhilesoeverythingImgoingto [Link],IactuallyownthisAdventurePathvolumefor quickreferencing!So,letsgoaheadandlookattheHauntingofHarrowstone. TherearetonsofawesomefoestopickasthebossmonsterinthisAdventurePathandthe Adventureremindsusthattheycanbeencounteredinanyorderatanytime,butformy [Link]?Well,accordingtothestory,itwastheSplatter Manwholedtheprisonriot,threwtheWardenintoprison,andheisultimatelythehighestCR [Link] [Link]!So,basedonwhereheislocated,theultimateencounter, thePCsshouldprobablybearoundthebackendof3rdlevel,almost4thlevelwhentheyreach [Link],howcanwemakethisencounterintoatrulyepicbossfight? Well,wehaveseveraloptions: #[Link] [Link]+3,theSplatterManisalreadyafairlydifficultencounterforthePCs,but [Link],themaximum

youaregoingtowanttoraisetheencounterofthisCRtoisprobablyCR7,anincreaseof+1 [Link] [Link]+4encounter,ourtableshowsusthatwehave800XPper playertoworkwith,foratotalof3,200XP.TheSplatterManhimselfisworth2,400XP,foratotal of800extraXPtomaketheencountermorechallengingfortheplayers. #[Link] [Link],wecouldapplytheyoungcreaturetemplatetothe [Link] [Link],youdontneedto describetheSplatterManasbeingthesizeofahalflinginordertoapplythepenaltiesforbeing [Link] [Link],theSplatterMansCR isnowCR5,meaningheisworth1,600XP.Thismeansyoufreedup800XPtoworthwith,just likeinthefirstexample. Soregardlessofwhichofmytwosuggestionsyoutook,wenowhave800XPtoworkwith.(Isnt mathematicsAWESOME?!)So,youmightbeaskingyourself,WhatsortofmonsterscanIuse tomakethisencountermorechallenging?[Link],how miserabledoyouwanttomakeyourplayersusingthose800XP?Herearesomepointers: Pointer#[Link],NOWHY?!Heresthereason:using undeadwillNOTaffectyourplayersactioneconomyiftheyhaveacharactercapableof channelingpositiveenergy.AndImwillingtobetthat90%ofpartiesgoingthroughthisAdventure [Link]?Um,[Link] meansthatsaidchannelenergycharactercanhurtyourbossmonsterANDtheundeadinthe samemanner,andbecauseyouonlyhave800xp,theyrelikelytokillyourextramonsterson Turn1withnodifficultywithchannelenergy.Mathematicallyspeakingtheyhavea50%chance todoso,sodontpickthingsthatsharetheSplatterMansweakness. Pointer#2Pickcheapmonsterswithdefensesagainsttheplayersthatarent [Link] againstmostoftheplayersattacksandtakeahitortwo,[Link] that?Becauseifyourmonsterscannotbekilledsomewhateasily,yourplayersarelesslikelyto [Link],yourplayerswilldestroylowlevel [Link] twotothreeroundsawayfromyourplayersisplentywhenmakingachallengingencounter. Dontbegreedy. So,whoareourcandidatesforgoodmonsters?Well,heresmypersonalpick: BloodoftheSplatterMan:Soforthefirstchoice,[Link] [Link],itprovides

deliciousbenefitslikethedistractionability(makeyourcasterscry!),automaticdamageifyou areinitsspace,achancetobecomestaggeredjustforbeinginitsspace,andontopofallthis, ittakeshalfdamagefromallweaponattacksandcantbedirectlyaffectedbyspellsthatdeclare [Link](Hint:theend),yourspellcastersarentlikelygoingto havemanyareaattacksleft,meaningthatyourfightersaregoingtoneedtoeffectivelydeal14 [Link] mattersworseforyourplayers,[Link] morethanoneoozeswarmmightbeoverkill,butitisasurefirewaytodamageyourplayers actioneconomyduringtheSplatterManencounter. GruesomeEntry:SinceCarrionCrownisallabouthorror,Iwouldntstarttheencounter [Link],addtheoozeatthebottomofinitiativeduringa roundaplayerA)dealsdamagetotheSplatterManorB)isdealtdamagebytheSplatterMan. Usecreepyimagerysuchas,Themomentyourbloodtouchestheair,[Link] Mangrinsasyourredichorentershisareaofinfluenceandyourbloodanimalsintohundredsof small,amorphousblobsthatswarmtheroom,attemptingtosiphonevenmoreofyourblood fromyourwitheringveins. HowMany:At135XPperswarm,itmightbetemptingtothrowallofyourXPintooodlesof [Link] dontso,[Link] ofallofthenegativeeffectstheoozeshave,itllquicklygrowfromachallengingencountertoa [Link] thatisverywellequippedtodealingwithoozesand/orswarms. Monster2EctoplasmicElemental:AlsofromCarrionCrownsownbestiaryisthe [Link] alotofsenseforanectoplasmic,amorphouscreaturetoappearfromnowhere.AtCR2,itsa [Link],sotheDR/ slashingwillnotbeextremelypowerful.TheelementalsHitDicedropfromd10stod8s,butit gains1extrahitpointperHitDie,[Link],ifyoupickFire Elemental,yougettokeeptheburnattack,[Link] agiantmanifestationofboiling,ectoplasmicbloodtomatchtheoozesthemeandbasicallyuse ittotryanddebuffasmanyPCsaspossiblewiththeshakenconditionusingitshorrifyingooze [Link],lowWill savefoesiskey,becauseitsattackbonusisgoingtobeprettyterribleandyouwanttomake themshakenifpossible. HowMany:Youcanaffordnomorethanone. Inshort,[Link] goesovermyXPlimitby70points,Iwouldthrowtwosanguineoozeswarmsandan [Link] immunetomostoftheweaknessesoftheSplatterManandcanchallengetheopponentswho aremostlikelytohurthim,[Link] abletohurtincorporealcreaturessomethingtodowhileforcingspellcasterstorelyonmartial

characterstosavetheirbacongettingcaughtintheareaofanoozewillhaveahighchanceto shutdownaspellcaster(orevenamartial)andgettingstruckbytheelementalcausesafair amountofdamage(potentiallyupto2d4+1)withthechanceofinflictingtheshakencondition ontothetarget. Thesechangesdonotmaketheencounterimpossiblyhard,andyourplayerswillstillhaveafair [Link],however,ismakingtheencounterlonger, morechallenging,andrequiremoreteamworkwhilemakingtheoverallexperiencemore memorable.

Taking Advantage of Terrain and Weather

Originally,[Link])terrainisvery easyforplayerstocircumventandB)switchingterraintypesshouldbeaveryimportantstoryline [Link] requeststotalkaboutterrain,however,soIamgoingtogooverthevarioustypesofterrainand [Link], employingterrainthatisadvantageoustothePCsdecreasestheencountersCRby1while employingterrainthathindersthePCsincreasestheencountersCRby+1.

Aquatic Terrain
AquaticTerrainisanythingwaterbased,specificallyanythingwhereyourcharacterisfully [Link],youcanfightunderwaterorfighterabovewaterinto [Link]. Encounter:Inanencounter,theaquaticterraincarrieswithitmorepenaltiesthananyother [Link],moving,[Link] playersarenotpreparedforit,[Link],ifyou giveyourplayerstimetoprepareforit,[Link]

reason,[Link] [Link] playerswillforgetthattheyareallfightinginathreedimensionalbattlefieldunderwater,souse [Link](and smartest)tacticthataGMcanrelyonistheabilitytoremoveaplayerspreciousunderwater [Link] spell,[Link] destruction,[Link] whileunderwaterandunabletobreathrequiresamonstrouslyhighconcentrationcheck,afterall. Ifyoudontkillyourspellcastersoutright,youforcethemtowasteanentireturncastingwater breathingagaininordertopreventtheirowndeathswhilerewardingthecharacterssmart [Link] them,butnever,[Link], youwantedchallenging,right?

Bog/Marsh/Swamp Terrain
Thistypeofterrainisanysortofwateryenvironmentthatislandboundandnomorethan [Link],bogscanbeincrediblynastybecausemostplayers [Link]?Of [Link]?Pssst,no,why wouldIneedTHATspell!Inshort,useaquaticterrainforstoryandbogterraintoactually challengeplayerswithwater. Encounter:[Link] halfifyoureMediumorlargerandtheyforceyoutoswimthroughpartofitifyouareSmallor [Link],ambushinginaswampischildsplay,andentirespeciesofanimalsevolved [Link]:[Link],capitalizeon [Link] animalscanholdtheirbreathlongerthanyourplayerscanandwillliterallyattempttograppleand [Link] usingthisstrategygrabthemandusethefactthattheycanholdtheirbreathlongerthanyouto [Link],theyllgoafterwhateverisnoisiest/closest/shiniestbutcreatures likelizardfolkareintelligentandwillhideoutinthemuck,waitingtoambushunsuspectingPCs. Likealways,whenambushinggoforthelightlyarmored/physicallyweakerguysfirstand [Link] andisntmetagamingagainstyourwizards,althoughtheycertainlywontfeellikegodswhen theyrepinnedunderseveralfeetofmud,chokingtocastaspellwhilealizardfolkissmashing theirskullintotheground. Terrain:[Link] friend,andwhileitismean,havingyourlizardfolk/boggardsidentifyquicksandandposition themselvessotherearepitsofitbetweenthemattheopponentstheyareattackingisan [Link],youarecontrollingyourplayersabilitytoactbyeither forcingthetwohandedgreatswordtottingfighterwhonoticesthequicksandtofeeblywastehis

roundsdoingpitifuldamagetoyouandyourcoverbonusinthetreesoryoucontrolyourplayers [Link] withStrengthsappingpoisonsotheycantescape.

Desert Terrain
[Link] deserts,[Link],because [Link] aresult,youmightbeabletocatchthepartyfighterpantsdownandarmoroff,sotospeak. Encounter:[Link] slipperyicetoshiftingsand,[Link] guesswhat?ChancesarethatonlyyourswashbucklingroguePCtookranksinthem,asmost oftheheavyarmoredguysignoreAcrobaticsbecausethatattackllneverhitmeandmost rangedcharactersandspellcasterschimein,Illneverbeinmeleerange!Thisiswhereyou [Link],desertsdontalteranencounterasmuchasother [Link]. Terrain:Illgetthisoutoftheway,[Link] least,[Link],theyregoingtostockuponallofthewatertheycan beforeheadingout,andsomeofthesavvyonesmighteveninvestinadecanterofendless [Link],[Link] forgetthattherecommendedamountofwaterfordailyconsumptionis8cups,orhalfagallonof [Link],soyourplayersprobablywontcarrytoomuchofitor [Link],[Link], [Link] makeWillsaves(DC10+thenumberofdaysinthedesert)anddescribeinexcrutiatingdetail [Link], [Link] surprisedhowquicklyyoullgetintoyourplayersheads,andwehaventevenstartedtalking aboutdunesyet! [Link]:Climateaffectsadesertmorethananythingelsebecauseofconditionslike [Link],as youcaneasyslapthefatiguedandsickenedconditionsonmultiplepartymembersatonce, eitherforcingthemtostopandrest(andtherebysettingthemupforanambush)orforcethem [Link],butboy [Link],[Link] deserts,yourPCsaregoingtobeassaultedfrombelowbyburrowingcreaturesandatnight. [Link] contrast,enemiesaregoingtooftenadaptthemselvestousuallyfrigidenvironmentbyusing camouflageandstayinginthesunduringthedayandretreatingtowarmerdensandburrowsat [Link],exceptthe ThreeBeatsarecorneringtheminthedankcave.

Forest Terrain
[Link],hotorcold,orany [Link] theyareusedcorrectly,namely,theyallowbothplayersandenemiesthatareableclimbersto fightinthreedimensionssomewhateasilywhilemakingitmoredifficulttoflyinusingaflyspell, assumingthatyourforestisdense. Encounter:Likemarshesandbogs,forestsareexcellentplacestosetupambushes. Forestcreaturesoftengetjustasmanybonusesforhidinginthewoodsasmarshcreaturesdo, [Link],forestswithahigh [Link],asyou [Link], [Link] concealmenttoanyenemieshidingwithinthemwhileprovidinglittletonobenefittothePCs beingpeltedwitharrows,bullets,[Link],ahightreedensitycanmakeflyingintrees nearlyimpossibleanditisntafarstretchtogiveflierstheblindedconditionwhiletryingtoflyina [Link],mostfliesarerestrictedtobelowthebranchlineoraboveit, [Link],andlucklyfor youasaGM,[Link], [Link] extremelyusefulspellslikespiderclimbonceflyisacquired. Terrain:Forestterraincanoftenbeincrediblydarkinregionswheretreesgrowdensely together,[Link] andwhatsortoftreesgrowthere,[Link],dontexpecttoplaythelowlightcardif youareplayinginaforestofpinetrees,thosebranchesdontspreadwideenoughorthick [Link],[Link] isdifficulttochargeinaforest,especiallywhenthegroundiscoveredinroots,andanyonewho haseverbeenhikingwillagreethatitisverypracticaltorequireAcrobaticscheckstomove [Link],dontforgetthatwhenweretalkingabout attackingfromthetrees,theattackerisalwaysgoingtoreceiveahighergroundbonus,whichis alsoaveryniceperk. [Link]:[Link] forestsareusuallyjungles,[Link] alittlebitlesspunishing,butadoublewhammyofasnowstormplusaforestcanquicklyleadto lost,[Link],junglesaregoingtoaffectyourencountersmuchmorethan coldclimateswill,butbothofthemhavenastywaystosoftenupyourPCsiftheyplanonstaying foralongtime.

Hills Terrain (In Progress)

YoucangettheHighGroundbonusprettyeasilyinHillterrain,butthisisreallytheterraintouse [Link] willcauseunbalancedmartialtypes(hint:alloftheoneswhodontwearplate)totumbledown. Smartarcherswillbeduckingdownovertheledgetogettotalcover(orconcealment)against

[Link] [Link] archerwhoisabletoidentifyspellcastersandinterruptthembyusingareadiedactiontoshoota spellcasterwhostartsmakingsomaticgesturesisaneffectivecountertoeventhemost [Link],Hillsterraincanbevery,verynastyifyourplayersaretheones beingattackeddownhill.

Mountain Terrain (In Progress)

MountainTerraindoesntaffecttheActionEconomymuch,butitcanbeincrediblychallengingto [Link] [Link] monstersaresoeffectiveagainstPCsinMountainTerrainisduetothesimplefactthat Mountainsfocusontheverticalaxisratherthanthehorizontalaxisthatis,theystretchuprather [Link] especially,astheenemieswillhavefullmaneuverabilitywhilePCsareseverelylimitedinwhere theycanmove,thesheerdistancewilloftenpreventfullattacksasthePCsrelyonreadied [Link],thisisnotaconcernforarangedfocusedcharacteror apartywithaccesstofly,whichiswhyatrulychallengingencounterisgoingtohavewaysto [Link] slippingoffledgestoyourdeathwhiletheconsequencesofthesehazardsareespeciallyfatal, [Link] encountersthatuseMountainTerraintocreateachallengeareexceptionallycheapespecially whenthevillaingrabstheirPCsandtossesthemoffamountain.

Plains Terrain (In Progress)

[Link],flat,and [Link],asaretall grassesforhiding,butultimatelyyourplayerswillboreofthisquicklyandbothofthese conditionscanbefixedwithoutpenaltytoaspellcasterby3rdlevelspells(flyandfireball respectively).Theplainsoffersnocounterstothegamechangingspells,namelyfly,andmost [Link] [Link] theplayersleague,dragonattacks,[Link],useplainsifyourpartyisalreadyover theirheadsandyoudontwanttopunishthemevenfurtherwithterrain.

The Real Goal: Combats Where Fighting isnt the Objective

ImaparttimeWargamer(WarhammerFantasy,ifyoumustknow),andoneofthereasonsI gotboredwiththegamehasabsolutelynothingtodowiththerulesorthelackofperfectbalance [Link],myfriends wouldsetupourarmiesperfectlyalignedfromoneanotherandwewouldfightheadtoheadto [Link] [Link]?BecauseIcouldntouttacticsmyfriends,andasaGMthatisbasicallythereason [Link],youabsolutely [Link],nomatterhow muchyoumightwanttoexaltyourintelligence,fourhumanbrainsworkingtosolveaproblemwill [Link],wearehardwiredtoexcel [Link],ifyourefindingthatyourplayersaresimplybeatingyouatcombat tactics,thenstopmakingcombatentirelyabouttactics. GASP!Imaheretic!PathfinderisonlyaboutwizardsandCODzillasandtheabsolute dominationofyourfriendsinafantasysetting!Right?[Link]

toabsolutelydestroyyourplayers,[Link] wasbiased,[Link], intheCombatisnttheObjectivesection,becausewelldesigned,intelligent,andequippedPCs willbeatyourplanningwhenitcomestocombat. Butwhatiftherewasawrenchintheworks? OneofthebestexamplesthatIveeverreadaboutthissubjectcomesfromWizardsofthe [Link],oneofthesamplevillainsgeneratedforthePCswasan [Link],[Link]. Thatis,[Link],[Link] lookinginUltimateEquipmenteither,[Link] [Link],occupyingallofhis flankingspaces,wereeightneardeadchildrenthathebeatandtorturedforhisownamusement. AndthatrightthereisoneofthehardestencountersinthegameforaspecifictypeofPCgroup. Howdoyouhithim?ThechildrenprovidehimwithacoverbonustohisACagainstranged attacks,[Link] thebelt(whichmighthavebeenreinforcedwitharcanelock,ifIrememberright).Attackinghim withanythinglessthanareachweaponwouldsimplybeuseless,andheusedareachweapon [Link],givehimSelectiveChanneling,andhecannuketheparty whilemakingattacksofopportunityagainstthePCswhousetheirroundstryingtofreethe [Link],thebestsolutionIveseenistotryanddestroythosechains,butatthatpoint [Link],andthatisexactly [Link] combatsthatmesswithyourPCs(andtheirplayers)senseofmorality. ThisisntsomethingIcanteachyou,[Link],butnowitsupto [Link] press,andiftheydontoryoudontwanttogothere,maybethisisnttheencountertypeforyou. Butitisguaranteedtomakeamemorable,challengingencounterbecauseinsteadoftesting yourplayersbrains,[Link],oryourplayerswill [Link],inwhichcasestufflikethisis partofthebaggage.

Miscellaneous Tips and Tricks

Thissectionisnotpartoftheguideitself,butherearesometipsandtrickstosolveyourneeds. [Link] [Link],slow,[Link] effectivelygivesafreemovementactionoranextrastandardactionwhenusedtoattackduring [Link](eithermoveorstandard),andtime [Link] andtheGMandthegameassumesthatyourplayershaveaccesstothesepowerfulspellsat [Link],givingyourmonstershasteordebuffing yourplayerswithslowcanturnarelativelyeasyencounterintoachallengingone. [Link] paralyze,stun,stagger,orentangleopponentsarewickednastybecausetheyhamperyour [Link] underappreciatedconditionsandactions: Entangled:UtterlydestroysyourenemysabilitytouseMoveactions. Exhausted:Destroyyourenemysbattlefieldmobility. Grappled:LimitsanopponentsabilitytouseMoveactionsanddestroysaspellcasters [Link] blowswhilegrappled,andanongrappledfocuscharacterisgoingtoverystressedagainsta grapplefocusedone. Nauseated:TakeawayyouropponentsabilitytocontributeanythingtotheActionEconomy atall. Pinned:Asgrappled,butamilliontimesworseforthepinnedcreature. Prone:WasteaMoveactionstandingupyoutakehugepenaltiestohitwhileproneand [Link] monstersaremeleebasedratherthanrangedbased. Staggered:Removeofyourtargetsactions. [Link],butmanynew [Link] [Link] rule,round/levelbuffswilltypicallylastoneencounter,minute/leveland10minutes/levelbuffswill

generallylasttwo,maybethreeencountersdependinguponhowquicklythePCssearchthe areaormoveontotheirnextchallenge,andhour/levelspellsenduplastingformostoftheday, [Link],take advantageofthatwithantimagiczoneandgoodolddispelmagic. [Link]:Quickbitofinfo,IdefineaMunchkinasaplayerwhoutilizes systemmasterytobuildacharacterwhooverpowershischaracterforaspecificaspectofthe gameusually,[Link],thereisadifferencebetweensomeone whobuildsastrongcharacterandsomeonewhobuildsaMunchkincharactertheMunchkin charactertypicallyhasaverynarrowfocusanddoesnotcollaboratewiththeteamplayspiritof [Link] andratherthanexcellingintheirgivensituation,theMunchkindominatesittothepointwhereno [Link] yourgamingexperienceistorampupthedifficultyofyourencounterstocompensateforhis presenceninetimesofoutten,aplayerwithsystemmasterywillrisetothechallenge,butthe [Link] [Link],I designedmycharactertoplowthroughanythingyoucoulddoandyouaretakingthatawayfrom [Link],[Link] likebeingoutdesigned. So,[Link]?Ifthisisntaplayeryouwishtocontinueto gamewith,[Link]. Sinceyourereadingthisguide,Icanassumeyoudontmindadaptingyourgametoproblems [Link],usingtheActionEconomyagainsttheMunchkinisthemost [Link] challengehim,anditsokayiftheMunchkinsucceedsdespiteyourattemptsyouwanttoinstill theideathatsystemmasteryintermsoftacticsismoreenjoyablethanbuildingridiculously [Link],however, [Link] gamerstalkaboutforyearstocome,afterall!

Tips for Countering Classes

ThissectionprovidesspecificinformationthatwillhelpyoucounterspecificPCclassoptions. Thissectionwillonlybeexpandeduponrequest,soifthereisaspecificclassoroptionyouwant someadvicecountering,postinmythreadandIllpostananswerhere!

Gunslinger
OfallthenewPathfinderclasses,Ivepersonallyfoundthatthegunslingeristhehardestto [Link],whichIwilldelveintohere: 1>TheGunslingerusesafullbaseattackbonus. 2>TheGunslingerneedstohittheirtargetstouchAC,whichisusuallyalowvalue. 3>BecausetheGunslingerusesahighbonustostrikealowAC,theGunslingersgameplayis basedaroundtakingpenaltiesonattackrollsinordertoincreaseitsdamageoutputthrough featslikeDeadlyAimandRapidShot. Becauseofthesethreerulesaswellashowthegunslingerclassoperates,mostgunslingershit [Link] thefirstfewlevelsgrabbingDeadlyAim,RapidReload,andRapidShot,usuallyinthatorder becauseRapidReloadisnotimportantuntil6thlevelorsowhenthegunslingerneedsthisfeatin ordertosuccessfullymakeiterativeattacks. Itsatthatpoint,whenthegunslingercanmakeiterativeattacks,thatGMsusuallystart [Link],thistrend [Link],monstersgenerallygetbigger,andbig monsterstypicallyhavehighnaturalarmorandlowDexterityscores,leadingtomanymonsters [Link] multipleattacksdoesnthurtthegunslingerasmuchasithurts,say,thefighter,anditiseasyto seewhythegunslingermakessuchquickworkoutofSingleMonsterencounters. Asidefromtheadvicepresentedinthisguide(Hint:minimizesinglemonsterencountersand neverusethemforclimaticbattles),thebestwaytodealwiththegunslingeristohittheminthe [Link],gunslingersareallabouttheextranumbersandattacks,so [Link] thegunslingerisaYojimboshebasicallyshootsmoneyatenemieswithhowexpensiveitisto [Link] [Link] toomanybullets,andeveniftheyhaveabagofholdingitsstillamoveactiontoretrieveastored item(thisisespeciallynoticeableforalchemicalcartridges).Finally,incorporealmonstersare amazingchoicesagainstgunslingersastheytypicallyhavestrongtouchACsthankstothe incorporealtraitthatallowsthemtoaddtheirCharismatotheirtouchACaswellastheir [Link]

wasthemostchallengingmonstermygunslingerplayereverdealtwith!

Magus
[Link] enough,[Link],Nova meansthatyouarespendingabunchofresourcesatonceinordertoproduceamassiveeffect. [Link] [Link]. Counteringamagus,however,isfairlyeasyifyourememberthecardinalruleofthespellstrike classfeature:[Link] thespellstillprovokesanattackofopportunityandiftheattackofopportunitylands,thereisa [Link] threewaysaroundthisthatyourmagusplaymight(andshould)employ:castingdefensively, holdingthecharge,andwhatIamgoingtostartcalling,springcasting. CastingDefensively:Whenaspellcastercastsdefensively,thespelldoesntprovokeanattack ofopportunity,[Link] casterismoreconcernedwithkeepingtheirguardupagainstthedragonsbitethangettingthe spelloffsuccessfully,[Link] combatwithoutmakinghimcastdefensively,youreessentiallymissingoutonachancetohurt thePCsactioneconomyanddrainresourcesfromaplayer(apreparedspellandpotentiallythe arcanepointstorecallitviaspellrecall). HoldingtheCharge:Whenyouholdthecharge,thisessentiallymeansthattheplayeris [Link] magusmightcastthespellfarawayfromenemiesandthenrushintodeliverthespellvia [Link] tacticistheinabilitytousespellcombat,[Link] so,thisdoesmeanthatyourplayerissacrificingsomedamagepotentialtomakesuretheydont getclobberedorlosetheirpreviousspell,sointheendthetacticshavestemmedthemaguss damagesomewhat. SpringCasting:SpellshoutouttoReyGarzaforpointingthisoneouttome,Page185ofthe CoreRulebooknotesthataspellcastercandeliveratouchspellasafreeactionatanypoint [Link], moveuptohisspeedwithinrangeofanopponent,[Link] averyneattrick(andoneyourmagusplayershouldcertainlyemploy)butthiscomeswiththe samebasicdrawbackasholdingthechargeyourmagusispreventinganychancefromtaking damageorlosinghispreciousspellinexchangeforputtingacapontheamountofdamagethe charactercandoduringtheturn.

Inanutshell,themagusispowerful,butifusedatfullpowertheclassispronetotakingattacks [Link] determinants,doingsoislaughablyeasyatthecostofthecharactersdamagepotential. Spendingthatmoveactiontomakesurethemaguscandeliveratouchspellsafelyinsteadof riskingafullpoweredspellcombatcouldpotentiallysaveyourNPCsabucketloadofdamage, andthisisaperfectcaseofhowthatroomfullofboggardscouldsaveablackdragonslife.

Zen Archer Monk

Ifyouhaventheardofthischaracterclassbefore,ZenArcherisamonkarchetypethatheralds fromtheAdvancedPlayersGuide,[Link] exactlywhatitsnamesuggestsitadaptsthemonkstoolkittofunctionatrangewithabow. BeforeIgetstarted,Iwanttoacknowledgethatthisisanincrediblypowerfularcherbuild. Archersingeneralareastrongcharacteroptionbecausetheygenerallyreceivemore damageincreasingfeatsthanmartialsdoandthankstoarecentrulingthatfullroundattack actionsarealsofullattacks,theZenArchermonkcanbenefitfromallofthem.

Summary
Letssummarizewhatyouhavelearnedhere. [Link] [Link]. [Link] partiesthatfaceit,namelythatfourcharactersarepresentandeachplayersharesthe amountofresourcesdepletedevenly. [Link] arefourpartymemberspresent,wecandividethetotalXPAwardforagivenCRby4to determinehowmuchXPacharacterwhoselevelequalsthegivenCRisexpectedto contributetoaparty. [Link],anditisnt untilCR+[Link] canprovethisbecauseplacingapartyagainstaLinearGuildpartyisalwaysaCR+4 encounter. [Link] [Link] orthePCsactionsarerestricted,encountersarechallenging.