DnD 5E Encounter shortcut

=== HOW TO DESIGN ENCOUNTERS (in 5E) ===

1. Decide Types of Combat Encounters: Solo (1 monster), Elite (2 monsters), Skirmish (3~6 monsters), Throngs (7+ monsters).
2. Calculate the budget.
3. Spend the Budgets. Due the crucial 'action economy' + 'bounded accuracy', Strengths in Numbers feel really true in 5E.


=== Types of Combat Encounters ===

a. Solo Boss
Basically a single, tough, and deadly monster. Be warned that this kind of Solo Boss could kill low level PC; however a higher level PCs (with a more solid teamwork) should be able to deal with this kind of encounter.

b. Elite Fighters
Basically two monsters, not as deadly as solo, but still offer up combination / combo attack / teamwork.

c. Group Skirmish
Consisted of 3~6 monsters; quite the normal combat or skirmish, with varying difficulties depending on the terrain. If you want to run Group Skirmish, always use interesting terrain. It will leave a more memorable encounter, and always reward creative players who use the terrain well.

d. Throngs
More than 7 monsters. Highly discouraged; UNLESS, use a Solo Boss type of monster and the rests are fodders and goons.


=== Budget ===

For starter, always aim for 'normal' difficulty. Make sure you use all the budget, and it is alright to surpass it by some numbers (maybe 10~25% over)

Budget based on PC's level (per PC; add all of them together, so three PC of level 1 can handle 'normal' 150 EXP solo monster)

Level 1: Solo (50), Elite (33), Group (25), Throng (17)
Level 2: Solo (100), Elite (66), Group (50), Throng (33)
Level 3: Solo (150), Elite (100), Group (75), Throng (50)
Level 4: Solo (250), Elite (170), Group (125), Throng (85)
Level n: Solo (x as base), Elite (2/3 x), Group (1/2 x), Throng (1/3 x)

Challenge 0 = 10xp
Challenge 1/4 = 50xp
Challenge 1/2 = 100xp
Challenge 1 = 100xp
Challenge 2 = 450xp

Spend well!


=== Caution ===

Using a monster with Challenge higher than PC would mean that they pose a big threat to PC's life. A Challenge 2 Ogre for a party of 1st level could drop a PC in one blow, or kill outright on a critical hit.