Choosing Creatures
Source GM Core pg. 76
In all but the most unusual circumstances, you'll select creatures for your encounter that range from 4 levels lower than the PCs' level to 4 levels higher (see the Creature XP and Role table). Each creature has a part to play in your encounter, from a lowly lackey to a boss so mighty it could defeat the entire party single-handedly.
Each creature costs some of the XP from your XP budget for the encounter, based on its level compared to the levels of the characters in your party. For instance, if the PCs are 5th level, a 2nd-level creature is a “party level – 3” creature, a lackey appropriate for a low- to moderate-threat encounter, and it costs 15 XP in an encounter's XP budget. Party level is typically equal to the level of all the characters in the party.
Each creature costs some of the XP from your XP budget for the encounter, based on its level compared to the levels of the characters in your party. For instance, if the PCs are 5th level, a 2nd-level creature is a “party level – 3” creature, a lackey appropriate for a low- to moderate-threat encounter, and it costs 15 XP in an encounter's XP budget. Party level is typically equal to the level of all the characters in the party.
Creature XP and Role
| Creature Level | XP | Suggested Role |
|---|---|---|
| Party level – 4 | 10 | Low-threat lackey |
| Party level – 3 | 15 | Low- or moderate-threat lackey |
| Party level – 2 | 20 | Any lackey or standard creature |
| Party level – 1 | 30 | Any standard creature |
| Party level | 40 | Any standard creature or low-threat boss |
| Party level + 1 | 60 | Low- or moderate-threat boss |
| Party level + 2 | 80 | Moderate- or severe-threat boss |
| Party level + 3 | 120 | Severe- or extreme-threat boss |
| Party level + 4 | 160 | Extreme-threat solo boss |