Larian Studios Forums Divinity: Original Sin 2 Divinity - Original Sin 2 - Game Master Balancing Combat & Encounters

Hi all

Apologies for a repeat of a question - another topic did cover this slightly, but I can't seem to find it anymore, or it wasn't in the Game Master section.

My inquiry is around balancing combat & encounters for players in the GM mode.

Now the other topic I had found had suggested that the number of creatures and their levels should equate to the number and levels of your players.

Example: 3 players of level 3 each should have an encounter of equal difficulty against 3 wolves of level 3 each

The variation upon this is: 3 players of level 3 have an encounter of equal difficulty with 5 wolves of level 2 each.

The premise of this is that the aggregate level of the 3 players is essentially level 9 and that 3 level 3 wolves or 5 level 2 wolves roughly equals level 9 as well.

But I find that this doesn't really take into account the talents players have and the equipment they may have, such uncommon tier boosts (especially for rare and epic later in the game).

The initial idea is a nice starting place, but I was wondering if anyone has come across a decent process for creating enjoyable but challenging combat encounters in GM Mode.

Currently, I'm testing with my players, I'm using the above equation of matching aggregate levels and adding creature appropriate talents, skills and HP/armor values that feel similar enough to the toughest player in the group.

I'm hoping that I can discover with all of you (and subsequently post) something akin to a challenge rating graph for people who wish to use the system in such a way.

Would love to hear other peoples input and Larian Studio's input as well.

Thanks.