Starting on DMG 82, you can see the guidelines for determining XP thresholds, encounter threat, etc. CR is balanced against a group of four players. Also be sure to never have a party go up against a single creature at a time. Name CR Speed Size Type Alignment CR13 Monsters . 5th Edition is designed for characters to have more than 1 fight per rest. You'd need two to boost it up to a medium challenge, and an average party can take 6-8 such encounters between long rests. You need to start creating encounters using XP to determine what is a threat against a group of that size and power, or you're just going to keep having everything steamrolled. Four players at level 5 wouldn't have had a lot of trouble with a single umber hulk, but it would've at least registered as a threat. No homebrew, followed all the rules, etc. I do believe these have been discussed before. One of the party members did die, but that was because she asked me to kill of her character and I had to fudge a roll to do so. So what are you waiting for? In case you're curious, the reason this is happening is because 5th edition is balanced around a number of things, but one of the important pillars is action economy. Try designing your encounters around their strengths and weaknesses. They kill it easily, with some creative use of the environment around them. They may complain at first just because they are now so used to just being able to steamroll everything, but keep at it because giving a reasonable challenge (don't go too hard on it) will make the game fsr more rewarding a fun in the long run. First, I put them up against a revanent, at level four. This addition to the Game Master’s Toolbox is designed to bring magical and non-magical items from 5th edition out of the Player’s Handbook and DMG, and to put them into your hands! Going against a beholder, four players at level 5 would have almost certainly been completely destroyed. Basically you get 5% back in store credit on every order made that can be used on future orders. No homebrew, followed all the rules, etc. I had two scenarios. At level 9 the party EASILY beat a lich in her lair (CR 22) that had been buffed to have more than double HP and had several CR 10 bodyguards. First off, you said there are 6 members in your party and it sounds like you sre only balancing for 4, which means the fights will always be easy. While we were distracted, the mound regenerates (I guess) and then starts walloping on us. Going to need context as to what they're doing, races, classes and equipment. In a past campaing it took us until level 13 (from level 1) to realize that a sorcerer's Quicken Spell metamagic doesn't let them cast multiple spells a turn unless one is a cantrip. Only one pc took damage. So, one answer is not to use higher level CR monsters (which can easily kill a PC of more then 2 levels below the CR in a single attack), but more low CR monsters. These monsters have been vetted through the Featured Articles or Quality Articles process and are suitable for any normal campaign. Pay attention to not just the CR but the XP budget. Your point total can be found within your account. If they try, then you can throw a random encounter at them to keep them on their toes. Drow Eldritch Knight, 5th lvl, Flame Tongue greatsword. ), bloodied a beholder in one round. React to changes that will screw their plans up? That could be a large factor in their power. A single monster needs to be able to adjust against 4 to 6 other players. Mfw you ask for help and provide no info then ignore every question for more info so you can be helped. This allowed our draconic sorcerer to spellsling like mad and absolutely burst stuff down whenever we got into a reasonably difficult fight while he just used csntrips and sat back during easy ones, saving his spells to annihilate the tough guys. It sounds like players aren't being depleted enough before encounters. If you have more than that it MIGHT explain why. Adjust for more players. An easy encounter barely taxes player resources, and it is expected that they'd go through as many as 10 or more such encounters in a single adventuring day. Wear them down by having them fight multiple times between rests. The party I DM for is ridiculous. The party I DM for is ridiculous. Have them go up against ten or so well-entrenched kobolds in an old, weathered castle. Only one pc took damage. If so, maybe try easing up on the Arcane loot.