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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

Pathfinder RPG (1st Edition) Pathfinder RPG (2nd Edition) Starfinder RPG

Rules Index | GM Screen | Player's Guide
Chapter 2: Building Games / Encounter Design / Combat Threats

XP Budget

Source GM Core pg. 75
Once you’ve selected a threat level, it’s time to build the encounter. You have an XP budget based on the threat, and each creature costs some of that budget. Start with the monsters or NPCs that are most important to the encounter, then decide how you want to use the rest of your XP budget. Many encounters won’t match the XP budget exactly, but they should come close. The XP budget is based on a group of four characters. If your group is larger or smaller, see Different Party Sizes on page 76.

Table 10-1: Encounter Budget

ThreatXP BudgetCharacter Adjustment
Trivial40 or less10 or less
Low6015
Moderate8020
Severe12030
Extreme16040

Quick Adventure Groups

If you want an easy framework for building an encounter, you can use one of the following basic structures and slot in monsters and NPCs.
  • Boss and Lackeys (120 XP): One creature of party level + 2, four creatures of party level – 4
  • Boss and Lieutenant (120 XP): One creature of party level + 2, one creature of party level
  • Elite Enemies (120 XP): Three creatures of party level
  • Lieutenant and Lackeys (80 XP): One creature of party level, four creatures of party level – 4
  • Mated Pair (80 XP): Two creatures of party level
  • Troop (80 XP): One creature of party level, two creatures of party level – 2
  • Mook Squad (60 XP): Six creatures of party level – 4