Challenge Rating
Source: Player’s Handbook (2024) p. 363. Available in the SRD and the Free Rules (2024)
Challenge Rating (CR) summarizes the threat a monster poses to a group of four player characters. Compare a monster’s CR to the characters’ level. If the CR is higher, the monster is likely a danger. If the CR is lower, the monster likely poses little threat. But circumstances and the number of player characters can significantly alter how threatening a monster is in actual play. The “Dungeon Master’s Guide” provides guidance to the DM on using CR while planning potential combat encounters.