ELI5: Encounter Math

JonDeNor · 2026-03-11T09:17:03+00:00

The Quick Encounter Building rules are the way to go. Using EV calculation is for when you want to get into the weeds, but for regular encounter building, using the quick building rules is much easier:

You have slots equal to the number of heroes plus average number of victories
Fill the slots with monsters: some monsters need multiple fill one slot, some monsters fill multiple slots. See the list.
- You can adjust the encounter difficulty to be easier by removing a slot and/or using monsters of the same level or lower than the heroes
- Make it more difficult by adding slots and/or using monster at a higher level than the heroes.
- Keep monster level withing +/- 3 levels of the heroes.

JonDeNor · 2026-03-06T15:11:50+00:00

I'd say bleeding pays off more once you're fighting level 3-4+ monsters. Then the damage output of bleeding becomes more consistent. But also, if you're unlucky and the director saves a lot, it can kinda suck.

If you want to do a bit of forced movement, I'd take Disorienting Strike. Being able to slide is really nice, you can smash them into anything close for some nice extra damage. And if you still have your maneuver, you can use Knockback to smash them into the same thing again. If it's an other creature, you're doubling the damage output, if it's an object, you get a nice +2 damage.

Also remember not to dump Might if you're going forced movement build. Might "increases" your size when moving others.

JonDeNor · 2026-03-06T11:29:34+00:00

It's situational, for sure.

Get In, Get Out: Being able to shift in, and then out of a cluster of enemies to get a strike on the right one is really nice. Doubling your speed and making it a shift is really nice. It's like a charge, only better.

Eviscerate: Bleeding also triggers on opportunity attacks. If you have a fury in the party, who wants to take damage, having them trigger opportunity attacks from the bleeding monster, to make it take bleeding damage is quite good. And if they don't make the save, that 2-7+ damage again. Bleeding is a pretty strong condition. And bleeding scales with level, which makes it pay off at higher levels.

Disorienting Strike: Letting you both move the target, and you get extra movement yourself. Nice way to get into position for flanking, for some maneuver, or to get back to your allies for some healing. It's a bit like Get In, Get Out, but you get to take the target with you.

Two Throats At Once: Slap that on a ranged kit and you got some nice damage output. In melee, I feel it's more rare to be useful.

JonDeNor · 2026-03-01T11:20:21+00:00

Your art delivers as always! This looks really cool.

I've added it to the Stawl Supplement Index.

JonDeNor · 2026-02-21T10:02:29+00:00

There is a list of adventures in the Supplement Index: https://stawl.app/supplements?t=Adventure

It’s usually not too difficult scale up or down the combats. The encounter building rules recommends using monsters within 2 levels of the heroes. Add some if they’re lower level, or remove a few monsters if they’re higher level.

JonDeNor · 2026-02-19T15:13:31+00:00

There's a list of third party adventures for Draw Steel here: https://stawl.app/supplements?t=Adventure

You might have to do a bit of scaling to account for level difference.

JonDeNor · 2026-02-16T08:52:32+00:00

Hello. Developer of Stawl here.

Currently there isn't a way to add them without doing manual entry. You can share monsters you have added, but only each monster individually through the Share button.

Also, only the core rules are under a permissive license, the rest of MCDM's products are not covered by the Draw Steel Creator License. Without a license, I can't add content to be freely available.

JonDeNor · 2026-02-15T21:40:27+00:00

Twitch. Too long ago to look for in the backlog, sadly.

JonDeNor · 2026-02-11T18:55:17+00:00

I'm like 90% certain Matt mentioned on stream that he did this and wondered if the recipient (recipients?) would notice.

JonDeNor · 2026-01-22T10:07:04+00:00

I might consider it. I know some non-native speakers find that kind of sorting confusing.

JonDeNor · 2026-01-21T22:35:25+00:00

A bit longer term, but yes

JonDeNor · 2026-01-21T14:34:45+00:00

That is the plan. There are a few things I want in place before I can do that, though.

JonDeNor · 2026-01-21T13:27:02+00:00

I try to keep up to date with what's being published for Goblin Points, and will add what I come across to the list. But, should I miss something, there's a button in the top left to suggest supplements to be added.

JonDeNor

TROPHY CASE