Pathfinder 2e Encounter CR

Encounter Budget in Pathfinder 2e

Pathfinder 2e builds its encounter budget around XP, and that budget scales with party size. With four players at the table, the thresholds land at Trivial = 40 XP, Low = 60 XP, Moderate = 80 XP, Severe = 120 XP and Extreme = 160 XP. Every PC you add or drop shifts each threshold by ±20 XP.

Each creature costs XP according to how its level stacks up against the party's: party level −4 = 10 XP, −3 = 15 XP, −2 = 20 XP, −1 = 30 XP, equal level = 40 XP, +1 = 60 XP, +2 = 80 XP, +3 = 120 XP, +4 = 160 XP. Hazards run off similar tables in the Gamemastery Guide. That tight budget is most of why PF2 has a name for balanced encounters. Spend exactly 80 XP and you'll get a tense but fair Moderate fight nearly every time.

Applications

GMs lean on the budget when they design dungeons, random tables and adventure paths. Premium lines like the Beadle & Grimm box sets and the Brazilian Cosmere RP from editora Buró lean on the same encounter-budget philosophy, and the Pathfinder 2e Gamemastery Guide walks through how to chain encounters into a balanced adventuring day.

FAQ

Do PCs earn XP equal to the cost? They do. By default each PC pockets the encounter's XP cost, so a Moderate fight hands out 80 XP per character, and 1000 XP carries you up a level.

What about more than 4 players? Tack 20 XP onto each threshold for every extra PC, then count creatures as 20 XP more expensive against that scaled budget. If you'd rather keep it simple, just slap on weak or elite templates instead.

Are Extreme encounters lethal? Yes, and that's the point. The Core Rulebook warns that Extreme fights can wipe a party and says to save them for boss climaxes.