Guard
Medium humanoid · Challenge 1/8
For four level 1 characters, 12 guards is a Moderate fight under the 2024 rules.
How many guards for a party of four?
The most guards that fit each difficulty. A dash means even one is too many.
| Level | 2024 rules (XP budget) | 2014 rules (stays below…) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | Moderate | High | Medium | Hard | Deadly | |
| 1 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 3 | 5 | 6 |
| 2 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 6 | 9 | 10 |
Mixed party or different size? Use the encounter builder; it handles any combination.
Questions
What CR is a guard in 5e?
A guard is challenge rating 1/8, worth 25 XP. It is a medium humanoid with an armor class of 16 and 11 hit points on average.
How many guards should I use against a level 1 party?
For four level 1 characters under the 2024 rules: up to 8 for a Low encounter, 12 for Moderate and 16 for High.
Is a guard a good fight for level 3 characters?
Yes. Four level 3 characters can face up to 36 for a Moderate fight or 64 for a High one (2024 rules).
Monsters of similar challenge
Cultist
CR 1/8 · Medium humanoid · 25 XP
Bandit
CR 1/8 · Medium humanoid · 25 XP
Kobold
CR 1/8 · Small humanoid · 25 XP
Stirge
CR 1/8 · Tiny beast · 25 XP
Giant rat
CR 1/8 · Small beast · 25 XP
Goblin
CR 1/4 · Small humanoid · 50 XP
Statistics from the System Reference Document 5.1. Full stat block: see the SRD or your rulebook.