Skeleton
Medium undead · Challenge 1/4
For four level 1 characters, 6 skeletons is a Moderate fight under the 2024 rules.
How many skeletons for a party of four?
The most skeletons 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 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 2 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 3 | 5 | 6 |
| 3 | 12 | 18 | 32 | 5 | 7 | 10 |
| 4 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 7 | 10 | 13 |
Mixed party or different size? Use the encounter builder; it handles any combination.
Questions
What CR is a skeleton in 5e?
A skeleton is challenge rating 1/4, worth 50 XP. It is a medium undead with an armor class of 13 and 13 hit points on average.
How many skeletons should I use against a level 1 party?
For four level 1 characters under the 2024 rules: up to 4 for a Low encounter, 6 for Moderate and 8 for High.
Is a skeleton a good fight for level 3 characters?
Yes. Four level 3 characters can face up to 18 for a Moderate fight or 32 for a High one (2024 rules).
Monsters of similar challenge
Zombie
CR 1/4 · Medium undead · 50 XP
Goblin
CR 1/4 · Small humanoid · 50 XP
Giant centipede
CR 1/4 · Small beast · 50 XP
Wolf
CR 1/4 · Medium beast · 50 XP
Blink dog
CR 1/4 · Medium fey · 50 XP
Giant bat
CR 1/4 · Large beast · 50 XP
Statistics from the System Reference Document 5.1. Full stat block: see the SRD or your rulebook.