Medium Encounter Calculation:
An encounter is medium difficulty if Total XP equals the Medium Threshold for your party.
From: | To: |
A medium encounter in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is one that presents a fair challenge to the party, using up some of their resources but unlikely to result in character deaths. It's one step above an easy encounter in difficulty.
The calculator uses the following formula:
Where:
Explanation: The calculator compares the adjusted XP total (after applying multipliers) against the medium difficulty threshold for your party.
Details: Properly balanced encounters are crucial for maintaining game balance, providing appropriate challenges, and ensuring player enjoyment without being too easy or deadly.
Tips: Enter the base XP value of the monster(s), the appropriate multiplier based on number of monsters, and your party's medium difficulty threshold. The calculator will determine if the encounter qualifies as medium difficulty.
Q1: Where do I find monster XP values?
A: Monster XP values are listed in the Monster Manual or other official D&D 5e creature sources.
Q2: How do I determine the multiplier?
A: The multiplier depends on number of monsters: 1.5× for 2 monsters, 2× for 3-6, etc. (see DMG for full table).
Q3: What's a typical medium threshold?
A: This varies by party level and size. The DMG provides tables with thresholds for different party levels.
Q4: What if my encounter has different monsters?
A: Sum the XP of all monsters first, then apply the appropriate multiplier.
Q5: Are there other factors to consider?
A: Yes, monster abilities, terrain, and party composition can all affect actual encounter difficulty.