Highlight when creature XP is capped due to party size/xp budget

[Jocarnail]

The value of the monster does not change by changing it to elite or weak if the monster is jet over 4+ lv over the party. It may be appropriate to have a distinction that marks that it is not because the monster is "just" and extreme challenge, but beyond.
Eg: You put a dragon og challenge 10 to a grup of lv 1 pcs.

[maxiride]

I'm afraid there isn't much we can do about it, as per table 10-2 if the delta between the creature level and the party level is greater than +4/-4 it's cost is capped at the maximum/lowest.

Eg.
A creature of level 10 with a party level of 1 (delta +9) costs 160 XP from the budget.
A creature of level 5 with a party level of 1 (delta +4) still costs 160 XP from the budget.

They are clearly two different encounters but I don't see any rules that elaborate on the subject.

---

It might be reasonable to make more clear that the values are capped by as per the rules, however, I'd simply redirect to the rules source rather than adding extra info in the website.

[shemetz]

@maxiride This bug happens the other way around as well - the calculator counts all trivial enemies as 10 XP, whether they're 4 levels below the party or 12 levels below the party. The table in the rules just says "10 or less" for that entire bucket.

I suggest changing it to be e.g. 1 XP for anything below APL-4.

[maxiride]

@shemetz
As mentioned in the previous comment, as far as the rules haven't changed, there is not much I can do on the subject.

I agree that this is somewhat an issue\create confusion, but I don't want to introduce opinionated rules and mechanics in the tool. The rulebook states the following, unless the Aon website's copy of the open rules is wrong and the printed copy reports a different table\phrasing I won't take action.

https://2e.aonprd.com/Rules.aspx?ID=481

Table 10-2: Creature XP and Role

Creature Level	XP	Suggested Role
Party Level -4	10	Low-threat lackey
Party Level -3	15	Low- or moderate-threat lackey
Party Level -2	20	Any lackey or standard creature
Party Level -1	30	Any standard creature
Party Level	40	Any standard creature or low-threat boss
Party Level +1	60	Low- or moderate-threat boss
Party Level +2	80	Moderate- or severe-threat boss
Party Level +3	120	Severe- or extreme-threat boss
Party Level +4	160	Extreme-threat solo boss

The table in the rules just says "10 or less" for that entire bucket

Could you please direct me to the rulebook page where it says so or the Aon page?

[shemetz]

You're right - I mixed it up with this table:

Threat	XP Budget	Character Adjustment
Trivial	40 or less	10 or less
Low	60	15
Moderate	80	20
Severe	120	30
Extreme	160	40

[shemetz]

As a safer alternative - how about adding some highlight/notification/warning if this happens?

For example, here's a simple mockup: making these values bold and adding a word when they're past the limits.

(this is an example for a Level 7 party)

[maxiride]

Reporting in a clear manner that the monster XP cost has been capped should do indeed.

By the way, since I built the tool I've learned a lot in webapps and I will probably make a total revamp of the UI\UX.