While reading through monster stats and 1st edition adventures, I noticed that at some point, PCs should dish out 2dX instead of only 1dX damage; else, an adequate monster will become a serious threat to the whole party and almost unbeatable.
- For example: if I take a Wyvern (CR 6), with 3 heroes doing about 2D
per hit it goes down pretty nicely – the heroes take quite a few
blows but it's still manageable. But, if the heroes only do 1D
per hit… then it takes double the time to take care of the
Wyvern and will probably result in 1 or 2 PC deaths.
Based on the monster stats already released and a few adventures, do we have any list per level of what the expected number of damage dice, to-hit bonus, saving throw bonus, and class DC is, per level?
Best Answer
Pathfinder 2e has a version of Bounded Accuracy
Paizo created their own system of Bounded Accuracy; the intent is that for any given roll, the possible outcomes are within a reasonable scope. This is counter to D&D 3.P logic of allowing creatures to hyper specialize. The end ideal is that a small bump of one or two bonus is significant and could legitimately swing the odds into or against your favor.
Most rolls and a number of static statistics (even including Armor Class) in Pathfinder 2e use your proficiency bonus and one ability score, and may add a small amount of other bonuses, such as Item bonuses. In order to estimate appropriate statistics, we have to understand these bonuses.
I made a table that I believe is accurate, by-the-book. I do not have extensive knowledge at levels beyond 1-2 to confirm these values. Paizo will have more robust rules for creation in the DMG (see the next section).
$$ \begin{array}{|r|r|} \hline Level & Class DC & Saves & Skills & Totohit & AC & Damage \\ \hline 1 & 7 *1 & 7 *2 & 5 *2 & 7 *1 & 17 *1 & 1d(4\text{ to }12) +4\text{ or }1d4+4 \\ \hline 3 & 9 *1 & 9 *2 & 8 *2 & 9 *1 & 19 *2 & 1d(4\text{ to }12) +4\text{ or }3d4+4 \\ \hline 7 & 15 *2 & 14 *3 & 15 *3 & 14 *3 & 24 *3 & 2d(4\text{ to }12) +4\text{ or }7d4+4 \\ \hline 10 & 18 *2 & 17 *3 & 19 *3 & 18 *4 & 29 *3 & 2d(4\text{ to }12) +5\text{ or }10d4+5 \\ \hline 13 & 24 *3 & 21 *4 & 23 *4 & 22 *4 & 33 *2 & 3d(4\text{ to }12) +6\text{ or }13d4+6 \\ \hline 16 & 28 *2 & 25 *4 & 27 *4 & 27 *3 & 38 *2 & 3d(4\text{ to }12) +6\text{ or }16d4+6 \\ \hline 20 & 33 *4 & 30 *5 & 31 *4 & 30 *3 & 42 *3 & 4d(4\text{ to }12) +7\text{ or }20d4+7 \\ \hline \end{array} $$
Notes about the table:
@Delioth brings up that Paizo has released the (current draft, as of Oct 9, 2019) DMG rules for Monster creation.
It includes Low, Moderate, High, and Extreme values for Ability Modifiers, Perception, Skills, AC, Saves, Hit Points, Resistance/Weakness values, Attack bonus and Damage, Spell DC and Attack bonus, and guidelines for creating Special abilities.
Notably, my numbers at lower levels seem to be fairly accurate to their Moderate values, but run a little low at higher levels. I definitely recommend referencing it if you intend to make a boss creature or high level monster.