Ignore it if it gets in the way.Ĭhallenge Rating: A monster's challenge rating is a guide to its overall power. In other words, treat this like any other piece of DMing advice we offer. Experienced DMs often run their campaigns simply by eyeballing difficulty, or by placing creatures and threats based solely on the needs of the setting or adventure. But there are so many variables involved in D&D that it's impossible to perfectly balance everything. Challenge ratings and XP budgets are tools to help DMs judge the difficulty of a combat encounter or an overall adventure. To start with, remember that these are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Although they've been playtested thoroughly, you can expect some adjustments before they debut in the Dungeon Master's Guide in November. You can use these guidelines with the monsters in appendix B of Lost Mine of Phandelver to continue your campaign or create new adventures. Well, we've heard a number of calls from DMs for a preview of the guidelines for designing and balancing encounters, so let's take a look at those rules this week. If you're as crazy as I am, you might have even already completed Lost Mine of Phandelver, the Starter Set adventure.

If you're lucky enough to live near a Wizards Play Network store that participates in our early release program for D&D, you probably already have your hands on the Starter Set.

D&d making a monster