Originally posted by kgauck

----- Original Message -----
From: "irdeggman" <brnetboard@BIRTHRIGHT.NET>
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2003 4:26 AM


> ECL and CR are considered the same for "classed" characters, that is
> those that have standard class levels, i.e., classes other than NPC
classes
> from the DMG.

Of these, this one strikes me as most inaccurate. After all, is it likely
that a 3rd level character (pick a class) is going to A) seriously threaten
one character of B) drain a quarter of the party`s resources, when
confronting a well balanced group of four 3rd level characters? I think the
3rd level character is closer to a CR of 2. Even when we get to much higher
level characters, I`m not sure that a 15th level character will launch a
first strike which will satisfy A on a reliable basis. B is even less
likely because a balanced party has an easier time putting you in a
situation where if the character goes rock, the party goes paper, and so on.
The mix of skills makes it too easy to put you in a damned if you do and
damned if you don`t type of situation. All of this leads me to believe that
classed characters should have a CR that is 2/3`s of their effective level.

Kenneth Gauck
kgauck@mchsi.com
This was from "An NPC with a PC classhas a challenge rating equal to the NPC's level." DMG pg 167.

And yes, at least IMO, it could be reasonably expected that a 3rd level character would reduce a party of 4 3rd level characters by 25% of their assets during the course of a battle. Just simple odds on rolling would contribute to this, also each side is considered to have the magic items appropriate to a 3rd level character which are assumed to eligible for use (and used) during an encounter. A 3rd level rogue has a pretty good chance of getting in at least one "sneak attack" on a party, a 3rd level wizard will get off at least one decent spell, a 3rd level fighter has enough feats to grant the ability to inflict substnatial damage (relatively), etc. Remember this "rule" was based on approximations and not on exact results, like "rounding down unless otherwise specified" - it just basically for a "rough" balance not an always exact effect.:)