Monster chalenge rating.

[Vasifan]

Well, the numbers are a way of refinement. If we have to compare stuff, the best measure is usually a number.

[Tomcat]

Well, the numbers are a way of refinement. If we have to compare stuff, the best measure is usually a number.

Ok. I'd start by looking at the existing formula.

[Thystonius]

Well, the numbers are a way of refinement. If we have to compare stuff, the best measure is usually a number.

Ok. I'd start by looking at the existing formula.

Numbers or indicators don't matter, as long as the range of CR that is 'very easy', 'easy', etc. is cool. I know in MUDs, consider is a command that just compares the level of the player versus the mob. For newbies, this is very helpful. For experienced players, this doesn't mean anything, because equipment and other factors make a huge impact for them.

[Spark]

It is true current system of description doesn't presents real effort in a fight.
I look on numbers and description gives me only rough estimate.
But I'm OK with it.
I think it is very complicated calculation and output is not equal to effort.
One character may ease kill one type of monster and have difficulty with another.
The number never gives real picture of the fight until you try.

[Pyrizzle]

It is true current system of description doesn't presents real effort in a fight.
I look on numbers and description gives me only rough estimate.
But I'm OK with it.
I think it is very complicated calculation and output is not equal to effort.
One character may ease kill one type of monster and have difficulty with another.
The number never gives real picture of the fight until you try.

+1 well said Spark!

[Durf]

Don't make it overly complicated by losingourselves in details. The essense of this idea is, to provide with a meaningful ratio that helps players decide if the monsters are doable.

This idea, I like.

Now the next step, conceptualize this idea. To keep it simple to code and to avoid the discussion of relation between skills and CR, why not start to visualize only using the base stats of the player versus those of the mobs. So AC, hp, BC and AD. Crithit comes from equipment anyways, so is something that should not be in CR. CR is a pure indicator here, players will have to read more stats than just the CR to guess whether or not the mobs are OK. For example, immunity to crithits might impact certain builds and the toughness of killing such a mob, but no need to put that into CR.

As Tomcat said, this is a refinement. I do think this is a good start for the refinement, and perhaps all that is needed to improve the system as currently implemented. I believe the system (just from playing) only looks at player AC and monster BC at the moment. Adding in the rest of the base stats would certainly improve this to add some utility beyond the first rat cave (the only time I found utility in the current system), an would not be complicated to implement. I might suggest adding in AP (i.e. number of attacks/round), which could just be a multiplier for AD in the calculation.

[Pyrizzle]

If anyone would like to take the time to design a formula to calculate NPC difficulty (Accurately) the Dev team would love to see it.

+1 for this idea, i just feel that a refinement such as this isn't something that wouldn't be high on the list of things to do for the Dev Team.