Enter your party level, party size, and enemy challenge rating into the calculator to determine your encounter difficulty.

Encounter Difficulty Calculation Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the difficulty of an encounter in Pathfinder 2E.

Encounter Difficulty = (Enemy CR - Party Level) * Difficulty Modifier

Variables:

  • Encounter Difficulty is the challenge level of the encounter.
  • Enemy CR is the Challenge Rating of the enemy.
  • Party Level is the average level of the party.
  • Difficulty Modifier adjusts the difficulty based on party size.

To calculate the encounter difficulty, subtract the party level from the enemy CR and multiply by the difficulty modifier. Adjust the difficulty based on the result.

What is Encounter Difficulty Calculation?

Encounter difficulty calculation refers to the process of determining how challenging an encounter will be for a party of adventurers. This involves considering the party's average level, the size of the party, and the challenge rating of the enemies they face. Proper encounter difficulty calculation ensures balanced and engaging gameplay, providing a fair challenge for the party while avoiding encounters that are either too easy or overwhelmingly difficult.

How to Calculate Encounter Difficulty?

The following steps outline how to calculate the encounter difficulty using the given formula.

  1. First, determine the average level of your party and the size of your party.
  2. Next, find out the challenge rating (CR) of the enemies you plan to use in the encounter.
  3. Use the formula from above: Encounter Difficulty = (Enemy CR - Party Level) * Difficulty Modifier.
  4. Adjust the difficulty based on the size of your party using the difficulty modifier.
  5. Finally, determine the encounter difficulty and adjust your encounter as necessary to ensure balanced gameplay.
  6. Check your results with the calculator above to verify the difficulty.

Example Problem:

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Party Level = 5

Party Size = 4

Enemy CR = 7

FAQ

1. What is challenge rating (CR)?

Challenge rating (CR) is a number that represents the difficulty of an enemy or encounter in the Pathfinder 2E system. It helps determine how challenging an enemy is relative to the party's level.

2. How does party size affect encounter difficulty?

Party size affects encounter difficulty because larger parties can generally handle more difficult encounters. A difficulty modifier is used to adjust the encounter difficulty based on the number of party members.

3. How often should I use the encounter calculator?

It's helpful to use the encounter calculator whenever you design a new encounter, especially if the party's level or size changes, to ensure balanced gameplay.

4. Can this calculator be used for different types of encounters?

Yes, the calculator can be adjusted for different types of encounters by changing the enemy CR and party details to match the specific scenario.

5. Is the calculator accurate?

The calculator provides an estimate of encounter difficulty based on the inputs provided. For exact difficulty levels, it's best to playtest the encounter or consult official Pathfinder 2E guidelines.